Rio Americano High School

Infobox US school


established = 1963
type = Public high school
campus = Suburban
motto ="Is Quisnam Protero Damno"
principal = Rob Hollingsworth
location = 4540 American River Drive
Sacramento, CA, 95864
information = 916-971-7494
district = San Juan Unified School District
grades = 9 to 12
enrollment = 1,769 (as of 2005-06)
faculty = 66.9 (on FTE basis)
ratio = 26.4
teamname = Raiders
colors = Green and Gold color box|greencolor box|gold
website = [http://www.rioamericano.com/ Rio Americano High School Online]

Rio Americano High School, colloquially known as Rio, is an American public high school in Sacramento, California, serving students in grades 9 through 12 as part of the San Juan Unified School District. The current principal is Robert Hollingsworth (2000-present). Rio has consistently maintained one of the highest API scores in the state.

In 2008, Newsweek ranked Rio as number 595 on their list of the top 1,300 public schools in the United States, effectively placing it in the top 3% of high schools nationwide. [ [http://www.newsweek.com/highschools/?GT1=43002 America's Top Public High Schools | Newsweek Best High Schools | Newsweek.com ] ]

Rio Americano students come from the surrounding areas of Arden Park, Arden Oaks, Sierra Oaks, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Gold River, and to a much lesser extent, the La Sierra community. In recent years, more students have been transferring from other districts and areas, partly due to the shift of Sacramento High School to a charter school. Rio's two rival schools are Jesuit High School and to a lesser degree El Camino Fundamental High School because of its close proximity to the Arden Park area.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,769 students and 66.9 classroom teachers (on a FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 26.4. [http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=0634620&SchoolPageNum=4&ID=063462005812 Rio Americano High School] , National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed November 5, 2007.]

Awards and recognition

During the 1994-96 and 2006-07 school years, Rio Americano High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF)] , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.] [ [http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-2003.pdf Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 to 2006 (PDF)] , United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.] , the highest award an American school can receive. [ [http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17475750&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6 CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department] , "Journal Inquirer", November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."] [Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; "The Washington Post". September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."]

History

Rio Americano High School was established in 1963 as a temporary high school, built to offset a huge baby boomer population increase. It was supposed to be a temporary solution for education shortages, to be demolished 20 years later and used for housing purposes. As demand increased and Rio's academic and extracurricular programs proved strong, the school has remained a permanent fixture in the community.

Demographics

2006-2007

Curriculum

Courses

Advanced Placement

Rio Americano offers 11 AP courses in addition to various Honors classes. Although there is no official class, students have been known to take the AP Statistics exam.

*AP Biology - Ruggiero
*AP Calculus AB - Baker and Dunkum
*AP Calculus BC - Dunkum
*AP Chemistry - Montbriand
*AP English - Mahoney
*AP Physics - Baird
*AP Psychology - Casazza
*AP Spanish - Losada
*AP US Government - Mason
*AP US History - Blenner and Deville
*AP French - Murray

Accelerated College Entrance (ACE) Program [http://edweb.csus.edu/Projects/ace/default.htm]

Rio Americano offers Accelerated College Entrance courses in cooperation with Sacramento State.

Rio course Sacramento State Course
Introduction to Philosophy -- Philosophy 6
National, State and Local Government -- Government 1
International Relations, World Politics -- Government 35
Spanish 3 -- Spanish 1A/B
Spanish 4 -- Spanish 2A/B
AP Spanish -- Spanish 2A/B

Band

The Rio Americano band program is nationally recognized, having 3 levels of concert band and 3 levels of jazz ensemble. The AM Jazz Ensemble has been recognized as one the United States' top 15 high school jazz bands at the Essentially Ellington Jazz competition in New York City in 2001, 2002, 2006, and 2007. The Rio AM Jazz Ensemble has also won the Monterey Jazz Festival in the High School Big Band category an unprecedented 7 times, and most recently finished 2nd in 2008. They have also won the Reno Jazz festival in their division and/or in the sweepstakes every year since 1993, except for 2006. They have toured Japan, Europe, China, and most recently Australia in the summer of 2008.The program is under direction of Mr. Josh Murray and Mr. Max Kiesner. From 1982-2007 Mr. Craig Faniani was director and shaped the music program at Rio Americano to what it is today. Mr. F. has accepted a new position at the district office (2007-present)as the Coordinator for the Visual and Performing Arts for the San Juan Unified School District.

Electives

The following are electives available at Rio Americano.
*Art I
*Auto Technology
*Band
*Drafting
*Drawing & Painting
*Foreign Language
*Photography
*Ceramics
*Computer Graphics
*Drama
*Reader's Theatre
*Speech & Debate
*Speech
*Woodshop
*Teacher/Office Assistant

Extracurricular Activities

Academic Decathlon

In 2005, the Academic Decathlon team placed 15th out of 17 school in the regional competition. With the arrival of new coaches and students in 2006, a team of eight juniors and one senior placed 6th out of 18. Coaches of other regional schools reportedly commented positively on Rio's improvement and success. In 2007, with six team members (the minimum number of students required to complete), Rio placed 5th out of 23 competing teams with five gold medals, four silver, and four bronze.

Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a program that places students in a courtroom environment in which they play the parts of attorneys, witnesses, court clerks and bailiffs. Each year the team participates in competitions organized through the Constitutional Rights Foundations. [http://www.crf-usa.org] Rio Americano's Mock Trial team is known for its record of success at both the county and state levels. The Team has won 11 Sacramento County Championships: 1980, 1982, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and, 2008. The team reached the State Competition more times than any other high school in Sacramento County, also reaching the final round in the California Mock Trial State Finals more times than any other Sacramento County Team, in 1999 and 2006. The coach of Rio's Mock Trial team is local attorney James "Jay" R. Greiner.

Moot Court

Rio Americano's Moot Court team won the GDS Sacramento County competition in 2006 and 2007.

Radio & TV

The Radio & Television program has won the award for best High School News show in Sacramento several times, last awarded to them in 2002, by the Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium. The program has been reportedly falling apart by students and graduates after Gebhardt retired.

cience Bowl

Science Bowl is an academic competition that tests students on their science in seven different categories (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science, Math, and Physics). There exist three 2008 teams (A, B and C), each consisting of five members. At the 2007 Sacramento Regional Competition, Team A placed 2nd and Team B 3rd. The 2008 Regional Competition took place on March 1st at Rio, in which Team A placed 3rd and Team B 5th. Team C was unranked, as they were not permitted to move on to the double elimination stage.

cience Olympiad

A science competition with various events. Their '07 A team placed second at regionals, and placed sixth at the state level, after the previous several years of placing second at state to Mira Loma High School. Their '07-'08 team placed 5th in the 2008 regional competition which took place on April 5th at Sacramento State University.

The Mirada

"The Mirada" is the school newspaper. It is put together by students of all grade levels. Mostly juniors and seniors are editors, two seniors for editor-in-chief, and junior and seniors for News, Opinions, Features and Sports. The Mirada also has three graphic artists, and one main photographer. There are many staff writers of all grade levels. The paper even has a business manager. There are about 21 staff members overall, with one teacher supervising. The features are: Bachelor and Bachelorette, Prep of the Issue, Car of the Issue and sometimes food reviews. The paper has an issue every month and has won various awards. The raider icon on the front page to the side of the heading changes every month.http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/mmahoney/index.cfm?subpage=66973

Awards

* Gold Medal Standing From Columbia University Journalism Review Program.

* Two individual awards from the International Quill and Scroll Competition.

The Tesoro

The school's yearbook. Each year the Tesoro has a different theme; "Something in Common", "What's the Difference", "Curious", "Continued Inside", and "Raided R" are the most recent. The yearbook also features clubs, sports, outside-of-school ports, senior favorites, quotes and pictures. Parents of seniors can submit a page dedicated to their son or daughter in the "Diapers to Diploma" section.

Other active extracurriculars on campus include Speech and Debate, Interact Club, and Student Government.

Athletics

Rio Americano Fight Song

"Go Rio Raiders"
"battle the foe for green and gold"
"ready to meet all invaders"
"with our heads held high we will hear the victory cry"
"and when the battle is over"
"and on high you’ll hear our name"
"you will know the Rio Raiders"
"have won another game."

ports

Basketball

The boys basketball team won the 2006 and 2007 Jack Scott Tournament, a tournament hosted by Rio. In 2002, the Rio varsity boy basketball team won the section title at Arco Arena and continued on to the state semi-finals held at UC Davis. During the 2007-2008 season, the Raiders won their second Jack Scott Tournament in a row. This was the first time they had won two Jack Scotts in back-to-back years.

Cross Country

The Rio Americano cross-country teams are coached by Gordon Hubble. The varsity boys cross-country team placed 5th in the 2006 Sac-Joaquin Division III Section Finals Meet at the Willow Hills course in Folsom, CA. The varsity boys also received two CAL (Capital Athletic League) All-League awards. The varsity girls placed 7th in the 2006 Sac-Joaquin Division III Section Finals Meet and also received two CAL All-League awards. Both teams placed second in the Capital Athletic League. The freshman boys team placed first in the Capital Athletic League, the SJS Div. III Sub-Sections Meet, and the SJS Div. III Sections Meet. In 2007, Patrick Nilan placed 8th at the SJS Div. II Section Finals being the first Rio Americano High School cross-country runner to qualify for the CIF State Championships in 9 years.

Football

1991 Future Pro Bowl lineman, Mike Flanagan, graduated from Rio Americano high school. Mike played for the Green Bay Packers from 1996-2005 and for the Houston Texans from 2006-2007.

1989-1991 season: The varsity football team went undefeated during regular season play and lost to the Nevada Union High School in the City Championship. The team produced 5 Division I college players, Mike Flanagan - UCLA, Chad Overhauser - UCLA, Eric Roof - Weber State University, Chris Lee - Weber State University later Sacramento State University and Tony York - Utah State University later Sacramento State University.

1994-1995 season: The varsity football team went undefeated during regular season play and lost to Del Oro High School in the Division 2 Section Final, played at University of the Pacific stadium.

In the 2007-2008 Football Season, the Raiders went 5-5.

Golf

The team is coached by Brady Yount (2007-current) and assistant coach Mark Shepherd.

2007 Varsity Golf: Aaron Kim, Jordan Mills, Bryson Boatwright, Philip Lee, Matt Shepherd, Stan Jorgenson and Zachary Shannon.

Led by captain Jordan Mills along with strong players such as Bryson Boatwright and Matt Shepherd, the team finished third in the Capital Athletic League. Del Campo and Casa Roble placed first and second in the league, the only teams to defeat Rio Americano in matches during the regular season.

2007 season for Boy's Varsity Golf was 6 wins - 4 losses

occer

2006 Sasha victorine graduated. Victorine played in the 2000 Summer Olympics, for the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Kansas City Wizards.

The varsity girls soccer team won the division II section title in 2007 by defeating Bella Vista 6-0 in the championship game.Fact|date=August 2007

The varsity boys tied Jesuit High School in an exhibition match on Oct. 17th 2008 and have consistently made it to play-offs.

oftball

Capital League

wimming & Diving

The head coach of Rio Americano Swimming is Chris Nissen, who lead the Varsity Girls to a Section title this 2008 season, and the Varsity Boys to a second place finish. Seniors Kevin Ferguson and Tomi Petty were the Capitol Athletic Swimmers of the Year, leading the team to victory at the Cal Champs meet. At Sections, Kevin Ferguson brought his teammates Cashel Barnett (junior), Connor McGill (senior), Tanner Bond (freshman), and Michael Franz (sophomore) to first place in the 200 and 400 yard free relay, well under the All-American qualifications. Sophomore Michael Franz also acquired an All-American time in his 500 yard Freestyle, finishing second, and Ferguson also won second place in his two individual events, the 200 yard Individual Medley and the 100 yard Backstroke, with two more All-American times.

Tennis

The boys tennis team has been division champions for the past six years since. In 2008, Rio's tennis team lost in the section semifinals to Granite Bay High School. Ted Bruchett and Aaron Goldwyn lost in the section finals for doubles to Oak Ridge High School. Robert Rugen, the four time number one player was unable to compete in singles section competition because of an illness.

Track & Field

The track & field teams are coached by Gordon Hubble and assistant coaches Tay Moore and Eric Smith. In 1990 Rio Americano's 4x100 relay team led by Tony York, Jeff Younger, Ato White and Mike Beata led superior California with a time of 41.80 set at the Sacramento meet of Champions. Tony York went on to win the CVC league title in the 200 and SJS Sub-Section title in the 100 and 200 meters.Younger won the CVC league title in the 100. York and Younger were named first team all league. Rio Americano's track team produced four CAL All-League award winners in 2006 also and four more during the 2007 track season. The Rio Americano varsity boys team won the 2007 SJS Division II Section title with a total of 46 points, beating Oak Ridge High School by 3 points. At the 2007 SJS Section Masters meet, the track team qualified four athletes to the CIF State Meet.

Track & Field Records

Note: Times followed by a "y" were converted from yards to meters.Times followed by an "c" were converted from hand timing to FAT (by adding .24 seconds for the 100m and 200m, and .14 seconds for the 400m).

Volleyball

The Men's Volleyball team competed in their division's California Semi-Finals during the 2003 season under the direction of Coach Rodriguez.

Water Polo

A school sport since 1995, Girls Water Polo has won 6 straight Division 2 Sac-Joaquin Section titles. Rafael Ruano has coached the girls water polo team since 1997. Dozens of players have gone on to play in college, including UC Davis, USC, Pomona, Claremont, Redlands, CSU Monterey Bay, Brown, UC Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Cal, American River College and Cuesta College. All-Americans for girls water polo include: Danielle Hall, Veronica Ruano, Lisa Moss, Annie Marszal, Lauren Calnero, Christie Miller, Janelle Gyorffy, Gillian Morgan, Whitney Morgan, Blair Moody and Rachele Gyorffy.

Section champions in 1996 and 2005(?). Men's Water Polo has produced division 1 players such as Brian Kinsel and Matt Hillard, both of whom play(ed) for UC Berkeley. Current head coach is Zac Koerner. Lost to Granite Bay in the Section Division 2 Championship final in 2007.

Rugby

Rio, although lacking an officially-sanctioned rugby team, does have a team that plays under the name "Rio Rugby." The Team is coached by Jason Crothers, and took 4th place in the Sacramento Valley High School Rugby Conference. This is the 7th year of the Rio Rugby Club. Players do not come exclusively from Rio, some come from nearby El Camino High School.

Wrestling

2007-2008 Clubs

*Rowdy Raiders
*French Club
*Environmentalist Club
*Save Darfur
*Interact - Sponsored by Sacramento Rotary Club
*Global Warming Club
*Bowling Club
*Chess Club
*Polynesian Culture Club
*Jewish American Culture Club
*Gentleman's Club
*Asian Culture Club
*Capital Crew
*Highlander's Club
*B Sharps
*International Justice Mission
*Key Club - meets every Tuesday at lunch in room B3
*2003-2007, a Gamers Club existed, until the founders moved on.

Civitas

Rio Americano offers Academia CIVITAS, a four-year program of political studies. The Civitas program provides students with advanced and specialized learning in the social sciences and an enriched sense of citizenship.

Teacher Controversy

A former history teacher at Rio Americano High School was arrested on 17 charges of alleged sexual misconduct on March 5th. Gregory J. Rayburn, 54, was arrested at his Grass Valley home shortly after 8:30 a.m. on March 5th 2008, on a warrant detailing 15 counts of child molestation and two counts of sexual battery. [ [http://cbs13.com/local/rio.americano.sexual.2.670445.html cbs13.com - Rio Americano History Teacher Arrested On Sexual Misconduct Charges ] ] His trial is scheduled to begin on July 7, 2008.

Notable alumni

* Barbi Benton (1968) - Former Playboy Playmate and girlfriend of Hugh Hefnerfact|date=July 2008
* John Bowker (2001) - first baseman for the San Francisco Giantsfact|date=July 2008
* Merrin Dungey (1989) - actressfact|date=July 2008
* Mike Flanagan (1991) - center for the Houston Texans [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10C254A0E10308D8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Center Mike Flanagan When he isn't injured, he's among the best at his trade"] , "Sacramento Bee", August 21, 2005. Accessed October 21, 2007. "Sidelined with a knee injury and going stir crazy in his Green Bay living quarters, the Packers' Pro Bowl center and Rio Americano High School product let the cable guy in one dreary day to do some repairs."]
* Keythe Farley (1982) - Known as Keith Farley in high school. Co-author of off-Broadway hit "BATBOY: The MUSICAL".fact|date=July 2008
* Ted Gaines (1976) California assemblyman representing the 4th District.fact|date=July 2008
* Jonathan Karsh - independent film and television producerfact|date=July 2008
* Trevor Matich (1979) - 12-year NFL lineman. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=106F498B0594F959&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "His name is linked with 49ers' deal for Rice"] , "Sacramento Bee", December 12, 2004. Accessed November 1, 2007. "Trevor Matich is an inspiration to any child who wants to compete in sports but is often told he or she isn't good enough.... Yet he persevered, became a highly recruited high school player at Rio Americano and went on to BYU..."]
* Debbie Meyer (1970) - three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer at the 1968 Summer Olympics. [ [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB0D7DEAF6B5061&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "AHEAD OF HER TIME DEBBIE MEYER DIDN'T CASH IN ON OLYMPIC SUCCESS, BUT SHE'S A HALL OF FAMER"] , "The Sacramento Bee", September 20. 1987. Accessed November 29, 2007. "The swimmer was Debbie Meyer, then a 16-year-old Rio Americano High School student."]
* Doug Ose (1973) - Former Congressman who represented ushr|California|3 from 1998-2004. [ [http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000164/ Doug Ose - Votes Database] , "The Washington Post". Accessed October 30, 2007.]
*Dianna Rose (1982) - Radio Personality / Music Director and at 98.9 KWJZ Seattlefact|date=July 2008
* Jane Sibbett (1980) - actress best known for playing Carol Willick on "Friends"fact|date=July 2008
* Sasha Victorine (1996) - midfielder for the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccerfact|date=July 2008
* James Williams - member of the 2008 Summer Olympics United States fencing teamfact|date=July 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.sanjuan.edu/RioAmericano.cfm Official Website]
* [http://www.rioband.org/ Rio Americano Band Website]