Redmond High Principal Jane Todd and associates report to the School Board

Updated, 11/11:  It's Superintendent Chip Kimball's practice to host one school per month and today was Redmond High School's opportunity.   Redmond High School Principal Jane Todd (speaking) and her associates, Ms. Pointer and Mr. Higgins, gave their presentation during the  October 12 regular meeting.

According to Superintendent Kimball, Redmond High ranks in the top 85 high schools in the country.  Ms. Todd celebrated the achievements of her students and teachers.  83% of Redmond High graduates go directly onto a post-secondary institution.  854 students took AP tests in 27 subject areas.  The SAT mean score is 40 points above the state mean for the last five years.  PSAT testing has taken a huge jump.

Surprisingly, despite Redmond High's obvious success, the school is  "under improvement" for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP)!  Why?  They fell below standard in one of 37 areas -  "Special Education of Students."  The Federal program, 'No Child Left Behind' is decidedly askew. Kimball anticipates the law will be  changed in a couple years.

When Einstein and Redmond Elementary fell below standards this year, 100 students opted to transfer to other schools.  Federally supported Title One schools have a transfer option.  Even if Redmond High was a Title One school it's highly doubtful students would transfer because the school is so highly rated.

Jane and her associates talked of their efforts in "building culture" at the school.  Several programs are implemented:

•  "RHS HELP" - 160 students 'in need' receive financial support from Microsoft, the PTSA, and other groups for everything from lunches to school supplies. 
•  The Latino demographic -  Latinos meet once a month - usually on college tours - to build leadership to establish better connections and fill in social gaps with the student body.
• Afro-Americans have started a Black Student Union with similar goals as the Latinos. 
• A sophomore core of teachers and students meet regularly to smooth the transition into high school.
• A new attendance and vacation policy holds the students and parents accountable for absences.  

Chip recognized Ms. Todd for her progress in "building culture".  Ms. Todd experienced a general culture of "NO" at the start.  A "can do" attidtude is the status quo today.

by Bob Yoder