RFC Welcome
The Rockford Freshman Center Staff are excited to welcome the Class of 2029! We take great pride in our school, staff, students, and community and we look forward to working with you next school year.
On August 25, we plan to welcome approximately 600 students from East Rockford Middle, North Rockford Middle, Rockford Christian, Assumption, Chandler Woods, Our Lady of Consolation, Homeschool programs and other private and public schools. We carefully plan activities and interactions that support these students as they join together to form a unified high school class and we look forward to seeing all they achieve this year and throughout high school.
PLEASE reach out (using e-mail) if you have questions, comments, concerns or just need to chat. Our first goal is to help your family have as smooth and positive transition to high school as possible. We are here to serve you!
RFC Orientation
AUGUST 18, 2025
Orientation is required for freshmen. Please make every effort to get your student here on the scheduled day. Make-up is August 22 for those who cannot make it on August 18. Reminders and additional information will be sent the week prior to August 18. Please use the link below to sign up for an arrival time.
During the orientation, students will be photographed and will receive a student ID badge. All students will need an ID throughout the year to check out textbooks, use library materials, and purchase lunch. Please remind your student to dress for a school photo.
Once students receive their ID, they can check out a school-issued Chromebook unless bringing a personal device. Students may elect to look around the building, find and organize their locker, and locate first trimester classes.
If you'd like to make an optional donation for staff and student recognition, please bring cash or personal check (made out to Rockford Freshman Center). Students who make a $25 or greater donation receive a t-shirt. These funds are used to fund various activities, supplies, food and prizes throughout the year.
There is no formal presentation. Depending on the volume of students, it will take around 20-45 mins to get through all the stations. Parents are welcome to accompany their student, but it is not required.
Lastly, students who are unable to attend either August 18 or 22 can simply plan report to school on August 25. We can issue a temporary School ID until picture make-up day. If they so wish, students may visit RFC to look around anytime that the office is open - please call 616-863-6348 in August to check our hours as they may be impacted by ongoing construction.
Bring YOur Own Device
Rockford High School students have the opportunity to continue learning with the support of technology, often called 1:1. Rockford elementary and middle schools issue a device to every student, but at high school, students may provide their own device if they choose to do so. Please review the attached device requirements if you plan to provide a personal device for educational purposes. A school-issued Chromebook will be issued to any Student who does not bring their own device.
School supplies
In order to be prepared for the beginning of each trimester, parents/guardians are asked for help in identifying supplies their students will need. The following is a general list of student materials that students will use in school.
Highlighter
Colored pencils
Writing utensils
Ruler
Additional items by subject:
World Studies - 2” binder with tabs
Math - spiral notebook or 3 ring binder
English - 3 ring binder with tab dividers, single subject notebook
World Language - 3 ring binder, notebook, dry erase marker, note cards
Science - 1” binder, folder, calculator
Health - 2” binder with tabs, 1-2 pocket portfolio
PE - 2 pocket folder with fasteners
Individual classroom teachers may request additional materials, but this will get you a start if you plan to shop prior to the start of school.
Student Schedules
RPS students had the opportunity to request courses for ninth grade in March and new students will be able to do this in August. Course request information was used to create the building schedule with the correct number of courses in order to accommodate our students. The computer system uses student requests to generate schedules for our students as they did in middle school, and counselors will review the schedules prior to orientation. There are no additional steps to complete. Students will be able to access their schedules on/by August 18, 2025.
ATHLETICS
Fall sports begin prior to the start of school and many offer camp experiences in the summer. Please visit the athletic webpage for contact information if your student is interested in high school athletic programs. www.rockfordrams.org
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Consistent daily attendance is one of the greatest predictors of student success. Research suggests that students who miss five or fewer days of school benefit most from the school experience. Please consider the following strategies to minimize absences.
- Schedule routine visits with doctors and dentists in advance in order to secure the prized after school appointment times.
- Plan vacations during scheduled breaks from school.
- Establish a routine for your student that supports good sleep including target times to turn off electronics, bedtime and wake-up time. Students who sleep well feel better in the morning.
- Encourage your student to ride the bus to school. If you choose to drive your student, plan to arrive by or before 7:20 a.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic times.
- Be curious and involve your child's doctor if your student is absent two or more days per month, particularly if the main concerns are headache or nausea.
- Reach out to the school immediately if your child is refusing or avoiding school. We can help by working together!
