Anywhere you go with a lot of teens, unfortunately there will be drama. With a school of over 1,600 students, everyone will not get along, no matter how much the world wants them to. However, most show respect and concern for others. All in all, RHS is like a family, a few poor decisions should not define us.

Like any other school, RHS gives students the opportunity to meet a lot of great people and grow. They are given the opportunity to take classes based on personal interests including, but not limited to: Machine Trades, Auto, Culinary Arts, World Language, Advance Placement and many other classes. That alone could be the root to building friendships and lifelong skills.

“Our staff works so hard! Cuts, evaluation, attitudes from kids – they still spend so much time and money to motivate and encourage students,” assistant principal, Monica Gabriel said. “Our students are very accepting of all kinds of folks, specifically our gay and special needs population. Our students are respectful, and often protective of them. RHS students are mostly really good. Just to name a few good qualities. Some have never been suspended or had attendance issues.”

“One of the classes we offer here at RHS is Algebra Enrichment. The purpose of the class is to help students do well in Algebra one. While students are scheduled to take enrichment all year, they can “graduate” from the class early by doing an outstanding job in both classes, especially algebra one. Graduating allows students to take a different elective class; often times it’s a class they’re more interested in taking like art, or shop or maybe even P.E. It also means taking only one math class a day which is a big relief for many,” algebra teacher David Kaynor said.

“I think RHS has a lot to offer our students. First I believe that we do a great job of offering classes to meet students at whatever level they are at,” geometry teacher Phillip Moore said.

“From basic classes all the way to the Advanced Placement classes, we have something for everyone to be successful. I also believe that we have one of the best administrations around. I think that overall when there is a problem, it is tackled rather quickly and with good success.”

“I am proud of our students in how they show complete acceptance of each other. Some of our students would not be socially tolerated in other schools. The diversity in our school is a major strength,” chemistry teacher Brian King said.

“RHS devotes a lot of resources toward the mathematics department. For example, RHS has a “Math Lab” for students to receive individualized instruction. RHS also provides a classroom set of graphing calculators. In many schools, students are required to purchase their own calculator – often at $120 each!” geometry teacher Ryan Hansen said.

“My education and involvement in clubs at RHS helped me get enough scholarships and grants to receive my four-year Bachelor’s Degree from Oakland University for free,” RHS alumni student/English teacher Gabriella Schmalenberg said. It is easy to see that RHS’ staff cares about our   students from allowingstudents to be involved in  selecting the teachers they are proctored by for ACT/MME so they feel comfortable and encouraged, to the amount of staff involvement in after school activities and clubs, to pride we share when we hear great news about our graduates achieving their goals; these things prove that to RHS staff our school mission is more than just a statement. We want to help students achieve their full potential.”

Here at RHS we have an “AIM” program. The program was created to help students with their work, receiving one-on-one help.

“The AIM program is going strong, many students attending an our Honor Society is doing a great job in helping students with their work,” assistant principal Gary Scheff said.

“Students in our school are getting a perfect score of 36 on their ACT’s. Also, we’re the only high school in the nation whose auto shop class completed at the national level. We have a high percentage of students receiving scholarships toward college,” assistant principal Dan Crow said.

With all of the positive things to brag about, why do negative rumors move so fast?

It takes one class period for the entire school to know of a problem, as quick as it gets around, it can be twisted. It could all be exaggerated and put out to be more than what it actually is.

We have seen how this can hurt us, let’s all work to prevent it.