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RCPS Continuous Improvement


poster image for RCPS Strategic Plan for Continuous Improvement. Image with Rockdale County Public Schools logo, image says:   RCPS Strategic Plan for Continuous Improvement.  Goal Areas and Performance Objectives under each Goal Area:   Human Resources and Talent Development:  Recruit Top Qualified Employees.  Invest in Employees.  Recognize and Value Employees.    Student Learning, Achievement, and Growth: Increase Equity, Access, Opportunity, and Participation for All Students.  Increase Student Growth Levels in All Courses and Content Areas.  Increase Achievement in All Courses and Content Areas.   Community, Family, and Student Engagement:  Improve External and Internal Communication Improve Student Engagement and Collaboration Improve Family and Community Engagement and Collaboration.   Positive Culture and Climate:  Adapt to the Changing Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Needs of our Students, Staff and Families.  Ensure Safe and Orderly School Environments.  Cultivate a Positive and Nurturing Learning Environment for Students, Staff, and Families.   Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency:  Increase the Effectiveness and Efficiency of All Operational Services.  Create and Maintain Safe and State-ofthe-Art Facilities.  Ensure a Robust, Secure, and Resilient Technology Infrastructure.   Initiatives / Action Plans: Innovative Recruitment and Retention; Staff and Leadership Development; Employee Recognition; Cultural Proficiency; Collaborative Coaching; K-12 Advanced Academics; Instructional Practices/Strategies in All Content Areas; Birth through 12th Grade Comprehensive Literacy Plan; Family Engagement; Student Voice; Enhanced Communications; Community Partnerships; Mental Health Education and Services; Enhanced School Safety Measures and Training; Multi-Tiered Support Systems for Students Clean and Modern Facilities; Improved Transportation Services; Advanced Technology; Secure Digital Infrastructure.  Our Mission:  The mission of RCPS is to educate and empower all students by meeting their individual academic, ehavioral, emotional, and social needs.  Our Vision:  The vision for RCPS is that all students will become productive and thriving members of our global society who can advocate for themselves and others.


VISION
All students will become productive and thriving members of our global society who can advocate for themselves and others.

MISSION
To educate and empower all students by meeting their individual academic, behavioral, emotional, and social needs.

BELIEFS
•   Students are at the core of everything we do.
•   Each student has the capacity to learn and deserves the opportunity to succeed.
•   Family is the most important factor in the development of our students.
•   Diversity, equity, and inclusion strengthen our schools and community.
•   Education is a shared responsibility and a collaboration among students, staff, families, and community.
•   Students, staff, families, and community members deserve to be heard and treated with dignity and respect.
•   We are each accountable for our actions.
•   A safe, orderly, and nurturing environment is essential for student success.





LOW TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS
Elementary 19:1
Middle 20:1
High 20:1

FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE
84.6%
RCPS ranks above the state graduation rate average for the last five years.

ENROLLMENT
15,500+ students

SCHOOLS
11 Elementary Schools
4 Middle Schools
3 High Schools
4 Non-Traditional Schools (including a Career Academy and STEM Magnet School)
2 Virtual Schools (Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-12)
14 Specialty and Choice Programs

ONE-TO-ONE TECHNOLOGY
All students grades 2-12 equipped with laptops for learning and collaboration.

ACCREDITATION
Internationally Accredited by Cognia

LOCATION
22 miles east of Atlanta

STUDENT HOURS
Elementary School, 7:35 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. (Early Release 11:35 a.m.).
Middle School, 8:45 a.m. - 3:55 p.m. (Early Release 1:35 p.m.)
High School, 8:05 a.m. - 3:05 p.m.  (Early Release 12:35 p.m.)
Non-Traditional Schools (check with school)



RCPS Students are Prepared to Soar
RCPS seniors recently saw more than $20.8 Million in scholarship offers and enlistment in all branches of U.S. Military. Schools our graduates are attending attending include: Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Howard University, Duke University, Emory University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Savannah College of Art and Design, Vanderbilt University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, University of Alabama, Clemson University, George Washington University, and many more.


Customized Learning Allows Dreams to Become Reality
RCPS focuses on expanded learning options for students and families, specialized programs of study based on interests and talents, and new ways of learning through virtual opportunities.

Specialty and Choice Programs are offered throughout the district and include:

o  AVID at Sims Elementary, Conyers Middle, Memorial Middle, Salem High, and Rockdale County High
o  STEM Focus Program at Honey Creek Elementary
o  STEAM Academy at Shoal Creek Elementary
o  Dual Language Immersion at C.J. Hicks Elementary
o  The STEM Academy for Environmental Studies at Memorial Middle School
o  The Academy for Pre-Medical Sciences at Edwards Middle School
o  The Center for Technology and Engineering at Conyers Middle School, an aerospace-focused program
o  Academy of Performing and Visual Arts at Davis Middle School
o  Academy of Performing and Visual Arts at Heritage High School
o  Advanced Institute of Technology at Rockdale County High School
o  Leadership and Global Business Academy at Salem High School
o  Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology (STEM Certified High School)
o  Rockdale Career Academy (offering over 25 different career pathways)
o  Rockdale Virtual Campus (offering all courses required for graduation)
o  Rockdale Open Campus (non-traditional high school learning environment)
o  More Choice programs coming soon!


The Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology was named the first STEM certified high school in Georgia. It has a unique partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology, a four-year research curriculum, and boasts many accolades for student achievement. The number of students eligible to attend RMSST increases each year.

The STEM Academy for Environmental Science at Memorial Middle School is one of five middle schools to earn state STEM certification from the Georgia Department of Education. 

Rockdale Career Academy offers over 25 career pathways. Many of them are industry certified, such as Culinary Arts, Broadcast Video Production, Early Childhood Education, Marketing and Manufacturing. Through partnerships with post-secondary institutions, a student may earn an associate’s degree or certification in one of the many programs of study available at RCA. RCA holds the state certification of Georgia College & Career Academies (GCCAs).

Rockdale Virtual Campus offers a unique virtual learning environment. Students may choose to attend fulltime, earning 100% of their graduation requirements through the virtual campus or follow a blended model of virtual and traditional classroom learning. RVC students are eligible to participate in all extracurricular activities.

RCPS and Georgia Piedmont Technical College have signed agreements for students to earn college credit while earning high school credit in Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) classes.

RCPS has an Early Learning Initiative to provide educational opportunities for children ages 0-4 of moderate to low income families. This is a unique collaboration of non-profit organizations, private funding and the school system in an effort to ensure all children in Rockdale County start school ready to learn. RCA Early Learning Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. Every RCPS elementary school offers Bright from the Start Pre-k classes.


Our School System
•  RCPS Board of Education holds the “Exemplary Board” distinction via Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) and Georgia School Superintendents Association (GSSA) and operates as a “standards driven” Board.

•  RCPS has earned International Accreditation by Cognia (formerly called AdvancEd), the parent company for SACS CASI, which is the highest accreditation available to public schools.

•  Rockdale County residents approved an $135 million, five-year E-SPLOST to began in summer 2024 to fund security, technology, and facility enhancements.

•  One to One technology - RCPS is a One to One Technology district and provides a laptop or device for all students grades 2-12 and teachers throughout the district.

•  RCPS has been named an AP Honor District by the College Board. Heritage High and Rockdale County High and Salem High have been named AP Honor Schools multiple years by the Georgia Department of Education.

•  RCPS relies on community support through mentoring, tutoring, apprenticeship and internship opportunities, the RCPS Foundation and the Partners In Education program.





LINKS
Rockdale County Board of Education policies
Directory (with links to RCPS Central Office and School Staff Directories)

Did You Know flyer for RCPS (PDF icon PDF) (Page)





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