Freshman Center Newsletter
Welcome to Rockford Freshman Center
We are collectively excited to welcome the Class of 2030 to Rockford Freshman Center. In August of 2026, we will welcome approximately 600 students from public, private and home schools. The first year of high school is exciting, fun and challenging, and we look forward to partnering with you during this transitional time!
Students currently enrolled in OLC, ABVM, Rockford Christian, Chandler Woods, Home School, or other school - WELCOME! We are excited to meet you. Please email Mrs. Betsy Connor (bconnor@rockfordschools.org) to be added to our email distribution list for the Class of 2030.
Students and a parent/guardian are invited to attend an informational meeting at Rockford High School at 6:30 p.m. on February 3, 2026. The informational overview will last approximately 40-50 minutes. If you cannot attend for any reason, please review the welcome slides below. A google doc is linked below the slides in an accessible format.
Co-curricular Opportunities
We are proud of the many options at RHS and RFC that allow students to engage with their peers in meaningful ways both during and outside of the school day. Research shows a correlation between involvement and co-curricular programs and several benefits: improved grades, improved attendance, increased school connectedness, and confidence. Offerings change each year but we offer a multitude of athletic programs, Performing Arts programs and various clubs and groups. Please encourage your student to find one or more ways to get involved beyond the school day next year.
Please note, if your student plans to participate in band or any fall athletic program, rehearsals and training opportunities begin well before the start of school in August. Please visit the athletic webpage and/or contact one of our Band Directors by using the link to email staff.
Registering for Classes
Rockford Freshman Center counselors will visit North Rockford Middle School and East Rockford Middle School to help eighth-grade students with the registration process. During these visits, counselors will help students plan course requests for 9th grade and assist them with entering their course requests in Skyward Student Access.
Students who attend non-RPS middle schools are encouraged to attend a special meeting at Rockford Freshman Center at 1:00 p.m. on March 27, 2026. During these visits, prospective students can enroll and submit class registration requests.
Future students, parents and guardians may review our course offerings at any time by clicking the link to the course book below.
Daily and Annual Schedule
Students at Rockford Freshman Center and Rockford High School follow a trimester schedule. Our year is divided up into three separate trimesters or terms. Each term is approximately 12 weeks in length and, during each term, a student will take five courses. Most courses in English, math, science, social studies, and world language are two trimesters. Exceptions for ninth grade include Algebra, AP World History, music, and Spanish Immersion. Non-language elective courses are one trimester.
Students at Rockford Freshman Center and Rockford High School arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. Students will depart between 2:30 and 3:00 p.m. While on campus, students will attend five class periods and a lunch period that is 30 minutes long. During lunch, students sit in the cafeteria with peers and have the option to eat a lunch brought from home or food items purchased in our cafeteria. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students will participate in a Flex Time session in addition to the five scheduled classes. Flex Time is utilized to help students access additional help or extended learning opportunities as appropriate.
Planning for 9th Grade
This section includes descriptions of accelerated courses and testing out options available for ninth-grade students. Please read and consider these carefully as you plan course requests for next year. Additional details and applications are linked at the bottom of this section as appropriate.
Math
9th grade students will take the appropriate math course based on most recent math enrollment; this might include Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, or Pre-Calculus. Several math courses are offered in a flipped instructional method. The flipped instructional method requires that students watch a video lesson as homework and utilize the instructional period at school to complete practice assignments. Students who struggle with work completion or consistent attendance are likely to struggle in a flipped math class. Math students may be recommended by their eighth-grade teacher for placement in an honors math course. Please note that students may notify their RFC counselor if recommended for honors but prefer a traditional math placement.
Honors Earth Science
Current eighth-grade students may apply for enrollment in Honors Earth science. Honors courses are developed by Rockford teachers as a strategy to meet the needs of motivated students who enjoy challenges. Students who participate in honors courses can expect deep thinking, critical analysis, and additional homework. Students are required to apply no later than March 13th for enrollment in Honors Earth Science.
AP World History
Current eighth-grade students may apply for enrollment in Advanced Placement World History. Advanced Placement courses, often referred to as AP courses, mimic college-level coursework. In May, AP World students will participate in the College Board AP Exam. The score on that exam may yield one or two semesters of college credit at most post-secondary institutions. We expect that this course will be extremely challenging for freshmen but believe that we have students capable of working at this level. Interested students are required to complete the application no later than March 13th.
Testing Out
Public schools in Michigan are required to offer students the opportunity to test out of any course required for high school graduation. Students who wish to test out of one or more freshman courses in June of 2026 shall complete the required form no later than May 15, 2025.
