Redmond School District 2J

At RPA, we take pride in staying ahead of the curve when it comes to college preparation. We prepare our students for the independent learning environments that await them in college by offering accelerated learning opportunities and partnering with COCC to enroll our students in college level courses that satisfy Oregon statewide high school graduation requirements. Helping students adapt to the responsibility of owning their education early on increases the likelihood that they will succeed in college. Throughout our students’ time at RPA, they will participate in freshman college tours, receive senior calendar reminders for financial aid and have the opportunity to earn the AP Capstone diploma. RPA was the first school in the Central Oregon region to offer the AP Capstone, which was designed in partnership with college faculty to focus on skills rather than content. Students can distinguish themselves to colleges and universities by taking advantage of this diploma opportunity. In 2008, three educators sat around a kitchen table and talked about what kind of education they wanted for their children. They toyed with the idea of creating an educational opportunity where students are encouraged to grow their skills and talents and to give back to the community around them. They wanted to create a place where students were challenged to create their education while being deeply valued and accepted for who they are. Their ideas grew into the Redmond Proficiency Academy. RPA opened its doors in 2009 to 150 academically-minded students who were excited to take the risk of a new paradigm in education. Founded on the concept of proficiency-based learning in a personalized environment, the new school quickly grew to 250 in year two; 480 in year three; and to 700 students in grades 6-12 in year four. Today, close to 900 students make up the population of RPA. Student Acceptance and Flexibility Years later this is what we know: Our students believe passionately in the vision of RPA. If asked, they will tell you that they enjoy the open campus and their interactions with the local community. They appreciate the flexibility of college-style scheduling, which allows time to do homework and still be able to participate in soccer or work part-time as a barista. You’ll hear about the passion of their instructors, and the respect that staff and students have for each other. You might hear the words, “own your education,” “discover your voice,” or “embrace your inner nerd” and get an enthusiastic explanation of just what that means. College Prep Programs and More We continue to be proud of our graduation rates and the number of students who go on to private and public colleges and universities throughout the country. At RPA, we start exploring higher education and career opportunities as early as middle school and continue through four years of high school. As a result, our students demonstrate a high level of preparedness for the college experience and an appreciation for all the opportunities ahead of them. Instructors expect the best of RPA students, and our students tend to rise to these expectations because they care about their education and are treated as young adults. College prep programs, flexibility, acceptance, and proficiency are the foundation of all we do here at our Redmond campus, making RPA a pretty great place to be. We invite you to come check it out.

It’s Your Time and Your Place. Education needs to be different. Every student deserves an education that is uniquely tailored to his or her needs. At the Redmond Proficiency Academy, that’s what we do. RPA is not a traditional school. No two students at RPA will have the same academic experience, because we recognize that all of our students have different skills, interests, and dreams. Our students have flexible schedules, personalized academic timelines, and classes that fit their needs and their goals. That’s what makes us different. But we’re not just proud of our nationally-recognized academic system. Our school culture is unrivaled, and our teachers are among the best in the state. We value inclusion, teamwork, and compassion; it’s important to us that all of our students know that they belong here.

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