After years of dreaming and planning, students start school at Rock Ridge High School

It’s the first day of school for 10-12th graders at Rock Ridge. And it’s the start of a new era of education for the district, as it’s the combined career academy model for both Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia students.

Seniors we spoke with told us they walked in with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

Kelsey Kramer shared, “So it’s an amazing opportunity to experience this new school. I toured it when it was being built. So to see it come together is really cool.”

Ever Bernthal told us it’s weird to be a senior anywhere. “Now it’s weird seeing people who I will graduate with and walk across the stage with that I don’t know. But overall it’s really exciting.”

The first few days will be about getting used to the new space, before they really hit the ground with the learning side of things.

Mark Winter, the principal, said, “The very exciting thing is we can create the culture now, coming together as one, and make it the place we want it to be.”

Wednesday will be the first day for the 7-9th graders. Thursday will be the first day for all of them to be in the building at once.

Teachers had input during the design process, and could help shape the space.

Jill Clennon, an English teacher, picked an open space for her students. “They can work together in groups, and sort of feed off their energy.”

Construction continues on the new elementary school in Virginia.

For more details about the district: https://rrps.org/