Redmond High School (RHS) is a four-year public high school located in Redmond, Washington, one of four high schools in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). Opened in 1964, Redmond High School is the second oldest high school in the Lake Washington School District. Redmond Middle School, Timberline Middle School, and Evergreen Middle School (grades 6–8) feed into Redmond High School (grades 9–12).
Redmond High School sits atop Education Hill in Redmond, in an updated building which opened in 2003 with a two-story structure that features many environmentally friendly energy alternatives such as a large photovoltaic array and a state-of the-art geothermal heating system. The original building opened in 1964 and underwent extensive remodelling during the 1983–84 and 2011-2012 school years.
As of 2020, the principal of Redmond High School is Jill VanderVeer and the three assistant principals are Andrew Hosford, Rob Jones, and Colette Roche. Jill VanderVeer entered her position at the start of the 2019-20 school year, replacing the former principal Jane Todd, who was principal from 2006 to 2019, replacing Brian Hunter, who was principal until 2006.
Academics
Redmond High School offers classes throughout a diverse range of academic and artistic subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, World History, American History, Physical Education, Photography, Studio Art, and Anatomy & Physiology. Students have the option of taking Regular, Honors, or Advanced Placement (AP) classes in most key subject areas. RHS consistently has strong showings on standardized tests including Measures of Student Progress (MSP) and High School Proficiency Exams (HSPEs). The school consistently has graduation rates over 90%.
In 2013, Redmond High School produced 17 National Merit Semifinalists. The school has also had students become Semifinalists in both the Siemens Competition (2012) and the Intel Science Talent Search (2014).
Paula Ferguson, the orchestra director at RHS, received the Symetra Heroes in the Classroom Award in 2012 for outstanding leadership and instructional skills. Sandy Hargraves, a math teacher, received the Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished High School Mathematics Teaching in 2009. Brian Anderson, an English teacher, received the Golden Apple Award in 2006 for excellence in teaching.
Mike Town, the former AP Environmental Science teacher, and five students were presented the Presidential Environmental Youth Awards by President George W. Bush in 2008 for leading the "Cool Schools Program," which resulted in the reduction of over $550,000 of energy and waste costs for the district, through conservation measures. Town also received the Green Prize in Public Education by the NEA for the program, which has prevented the emission of 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, and has since included over 150 schools worldwide.
In June 2019, Redmond High School won several awards in its participation in Microsoft's annual Hunt the Wumpus competition. One team took home the first place trophy for "Most Innovative.". Another team won second place for "Best Implementation." These groups worked over a period of several months in preparation for this annual event.
Performing arts
The Performing Arts Center (otherwise known as the PAC) showcases performances by the RHS Concert and Jazz Choirs, the Concert and Jazz Bands, Chamber, String, and Symphonic Orchestras, and musicals and plays by Redmond Drama. Redmond's Music Department attends competitions and festivals throughout the region annually, including the PLU Orchestra Invitational, and the 'Music in the Parks' festival at Disneyland and Silverwood Theme Parks. In 2009 and 2013, Redmond High School orchestras performed at Carnegie Hall, and they returned joined with the Jazz Ensemble in 2016. Several years, students in the band program have been selected to march in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The PAC is also the performing venue for the Eastside Symphony.
Organizations
Over 44 student organizations exist at Redmond High School, ranging from ethnic groups such as Latinos Unidos and Asian Student Association, to sports such as Robotics and Bowling.