You will see below that Rolling Hills Prep was named "Best of the Beach Private School" a couple of days ago: an honor indeed, but an honor that's got me thinking (again!). These rankings are so often subjective and even when they purport to be objective, like the rightly-maligned, US News and World Report's annual ranking of colleges, a deep dive is necessary to unearth the realities. So, what are the realities here, and what can we learn from them?

 

First, I reiterate . . . What an honor! Even though I need only a small push to get me to declare, "Only Best of the Beach? I say we are the best in the . . .!", it's the context and the times here that I focus on. To be sure, this world has good schools, great schools, mediocre schools, and downright bad schools. Unfortunately, too many of California's public schools, especially in urban areas, have sunk into that lowest category over the past half-century, after being lauded in the sixties and seventies as the best public schools in the world. No doubt demographics have changed dramatically over time, and hence the challenges of public schools have increased immensely. But the fact that California ranks close to bottom in its per-student funding, combined with some wasteful spending of those lean resources, has to have played a big part.

 

I digress. The context of this most recent award is diametrically different. Schools in the South Bay, public and private, are among the best in the world. And I've seen and worked in many schools across the world. So why RHP, why now, and why here in the South Bay? I believe it's because what we have been doing so well for 35 years (our "niche," if you like) is finally recognized as arguably THE way to go. What do I mean? I mean that our combination of RIGOR and SOUL, that "secret sauce" I spoke about last week, is now understood to be an essential part of great education. We prepare our young Huskies for success and fulfillment in college and beyond without stealing their adolescence from them, without burning them out in the process. Our students have not "had it" with learning when they enter college, they are thirsting for more. To be sure, our educational program does not provide a stress-free environment, nor should it, but our teaching methods, the accessibility of adults, the productive relationships our students develop with them, and the structure of the academic schedule itself all contribute to our students' strength and future success. They become comfortable interacting with the adult world, they learn how to advocate for themselves, and they enjoy working with classmates from a wide variety of backgrounds.

 

We are proud and honored, but not complacent. There is still plenty we can do to get better (remember to email me at pmccormack@rollinghillsprep.org.  if you'd like to join April 30th's planning session to begin that improvement process). And if you voted for RHP in the Best of the Beach survey, thanks!

 

Have you ever thought about how exciting it would be to interact with and learn about people from another part of the world? FACES is a cultural exchange program that brings boys and girls, ages 13-17, from France to the South Bay every summer. These teens live in your home from July 6 - 26, 2016, hoping to experience American life, make new friends, and improve their English skills. They need host families who will open their homes to them. There are no organized activities during their stay, but informal group events are planned with other host families.

Galileo Summer Camps are coming to the RHP/Ren campus this summer. These "Innovation Camps" for elementary and middle school students offer computer coding, engineering, "maker" classes, field trips and much more. We have chosen Galileo to run our summer program because their philosophy of education matches ours perfectly.  More information can be found at www.galileo-camps.com. They are running a $150 off promotion this weekend at " Be my innovator." Check it out if you are looking for an exciting offering for your, pre-k through grade 8 son or daughter this summer.

Galileo: Spend Summer Bold

Make sure to follow us on our social media for all the fun!

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat: @RHPandRen

Congratulations to our middle school spelling bee winners!

Field Trip: Music Lab, Voice, and Mixed Media to MOCA and Colburn School of Music.

PA sponsored "Boccuzzi Bus" Field Trip: AP Bio and Anatomy & Forensics to the Bodies Exhibit.

Sheep heart dissections in Ms. Ribaudo's Anatomy & Forensics class.

NHS volunteering at Junior League's Kids in the Kitchen, a healthy eating and exercise fair.