Rockingham Academy

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. 🧡 Join us and PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center in creating a world where every student is safe and accepted. Let's work together to create kinder, more inclusive communities. #NBPM #BullyingPreventionMonth

Science in Action!

Mrs. Trumbo's students became real scientists this with our Ramp Experiment!

Students designed and built their own ramps, then used the Scientific Method to investigate a real-world problem: How does the friction of different surfaces (like carpet, wood, or sandpaper) affect the distance a toy car travels?

They're not just reading about science; they're testing, measuring, and drawing data-backed conclusions! Great work, junior engineers!

In Mrs. Trumbo's middle school math class, we're using a "Growing Number Line" to deepen conceptual understanding. This year-long, evolving visual tool helps students connect abstract ideas like the Real Number System, perfect/imperfect squares, and infinity to a concrete framework.

It's a foundational lesson that shows students the same value can be expressed through different mathematical representations (fractions, decimals, etc.), promoting a more flexible and comprehensive understanding of number sense.

In Mrs. Trumbos' middle school class, we talked about the 3 key types of conversation posters today, and why using all three is essential for being a great communicator and listener! Students created their own posters to display in the classroom.

It's easy to focus on just talking, but true connection happens when we know how to consciously shift and incorporate all three communication styles. Mastering these types of conversation is the secret to effective exchange in the classroom and beyond!

What does it mean to be human?

Our middle schoolers explored this powerful question, and their answers are truly inspiring. From "to love" to "to be smart," their words are a beautiful reminder of what connects us all.

Breakfast for Champions!

What's better than a delicious breakfast? A delicious breakfast made with love by our incredible faculty and staff!

Yesterday, our amazing staff members whipped up a fantastic breakfast feast for the students, complete with pancakes, sausage, eggs, fresh fruit, breakfast casserole, and a variety of drinks. It was a wonderful way to start the day and show our students how much we appreciate them.

Thank you to everyone who helped prepare, serve, and clean up. The students started the day with full bellies!

Talk about hands-on learning! Mrs. Trumbo's 8th graders are diving into the human body, using paint and other art supplies to create models of the brain and vagus nerve. What a fantastic way to visualize a complex system!

Welcome Back, Rockingham Academy!
We hope you've all had a fun and restful summer. We are so excited to kick off the new school year!

Join us for Back to School Night:
Tuesday, August 19th
5:00–7:00 pm

Come meet the teachers, explore classrooms, and get ready for a fantastic school year ahead. We can’t wait to see you there!

📣 Farewell & Best Wishes! 🌟 As the school year comes to a close, we say goodbye to four incredible members of our RA family who are moving on to new adventures: Ashley Cromer has been with us since 2021 as our dedicated FCS teacher. She’ll be continuing her passion for Family and Consumer Sciences at Broadway High School. Grant Disharoon, our talented math teacher since fall 2022, is stepping into an exciting leadership role as Assistant Principal at Shelburne Middle School. Joey Capuano, who joined us in 2024 as our EL teacher, will be heading to Wilson Memorial High School to teach Spanish. Laura Lucas, our much-loved Attendance Clerk since 2020, came out of retirement to support our students. Now, she’s “retiring” once again to serve her community through her church. Thank you all for your hard work, care, and commitment to our school community. We wish you all the best!!

We did it!! As the school year comes to a close, we're proud to share what our amazing students have accomplished: 374 class credits earned 13 high school diplomas awarded 8 GEDs completed Behind these numbers are stories of perseverance, hard work, and determination. We couldn't be more proud of our students and staff for their dedication and heart this year. Have a wonderful and safe summer. To our returning students, we will see you in August! To our graduates-good luck with all you set out to do and we are SO proud of each of you!

Field Day Fun! Last Friday was a perfect day to celebrate the end of year: Grilled burgers & hotdogs, Ice cream sundae bar, football, cornhole, frisbee, painting rocks to decorate the flowerbeds (just to name a few activities), and the RA yearbooks were handed out. Each year students receive a yearbook FREE of charge with the help of donations from faculty, staff, and community organizations! Laughter, creativity, and community were everywhere you looked. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day so special — it was the perfect send-off to an amazing year!

Congratulations, Class of 2025! This week we celebrate your achievements, your resilience, and your incredible journey. You've worked hard, grown so much, and now you're ready to take on the next chapter — whether it's college, a career, or new adventures! We’re so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see how you’ll change the world. Wishing all of our graduating seniors the best of luck in everything that lies ahead.

Our amazing middle school students rolled up their sleeves and cooked up something special! On Wednesday, they prepared a full Italian meal from scratch with the help of Ms. Crissell, Ms. Trumbo, and Mr. Dish—fresh pasta, homemade meatballs, garlic bread, and even dessert—for the entire school! Not only did they show off their culinary skills, but they also demonstrated teamwork, responsibility, and pride in serving their school community. Way to go, future chefs!

All graduation ceremonies for the 2024-2025 school year will be held at the Atlantic Union Bank Center at JMU, and will be live streamed on the RCPS YouTube channel. Recordings will be available within 48 hours after each ceremony. Massanutten Technical Center: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 @ 7:00 pm East Rockingham High School: Thursday, June 5, 2025 @ 7:00 pm Spotswood High School: Friday, June 6, 2025 @ 7:00 pm Broadway High School: Saturday, June 7, 2025 @ 12:30 pm Turner Ashby High School: Saturday, June 7, 2025 @ 4:00 pm Previous Graduation Ceremonies (2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024) are also on the RCPS YouTube channel

There is no school for students and staff on Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. Tuesday, May 27 will be an EVEN day.

🎉 Congratulations to Noah Caldwell! 🎉 Rockingham Academy student Noah Caldwell has been named Massanutten Technical Center’s Student of the Year! Noah is currently excelling as a second year student in the Aviation program. He has also been in the Culinary Arts programs at MTC — a true example of dedication, talent, and hard work. We’re proud to celebrate Noah’s achievement and can’t wait to see where his future takes him!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the AMAZING staff of Rockingham Academy! Happy Nurse Appreciation Day (May 7) to our AMAZING nurse, Cathy Pence! We have celebrated with an appreciation breakfast, a trail mix bar, a nice pen, a succulent, and tomorrow will round out the week with a staff luncheon and ice cream outing. “Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon.” – Ann Lieberman

Our students have been hard at work this spring! 🌸 They’ve been building cutting boards, servicing and repairing lawn mowers to get ready for summer, and crafting picnic tables for everyone to enjoy during outdoor lunches and classes. Great job to all involved! 👏🔧🪵☀️