Welcome to our website for Rutland Senior Secondary School. Our learning community is located on the Traditional Territory of the Sylix Okanagan people.
At RSS we appreciate that each of us has a unique Story and when we take the time to learn each other's story, it helps us to build community.
With a diverse student population of approximately 1,900 and a dedicated staff of 200, Rutland Senior Secondary is a dynamic and innovative learning community. Our extensive range of course offerings reflects our commitment to meeting the needs and interests of all learners while fostering a culture that prioritizes learning, growth, and success for everyone.
Our students are provided agency through 'voice and choice' and encouraged to choose their learning via the many curricular and extra-curricular activities. Our students are able to pursue challenging Academic programs such as Advanced Placement (first year university level course work) and core Academic subjects. Other choices for students include our extensive Applied Skills, Languages and Fine Arts programs. Beginning in the Fall of 2024 our athletic teams started being known as the THUNDER.
Our work is guided by the international research of the OECD's 7 Principles of Learning in the work that we do, which recognizes:
- the importance of putting learners are at the center of their learning,
- the social nature of learning
- that emotions are integral to learning
- individual differences
- the importance of stretching all students
- assessment FOR learning (to guide further learning)
- the value of building horizontal connections.
At Rutland Senior Secondary, we place a strong emphasis on building community by creating meaningful connections with schools throughout the Rutland Family of Schools and across our district. Students regularly extend their learning beyond our classrooms by sharing their knowledge and skills with younger learners through activities such as teaching science, language, and literacy lessons in elementary and middle schools.
Service is also an important part of our school culture. Each year, our Grad Council undertakes an Annual Legacy Project, raising funds to support one of the eight Rutland elementary schools. Graduating students visit the selected school, share in learning activities, and build relationships with students who will one day become part of our school community.
These experiences foster leadership, mentorship, and a strong sense of belonging while strengthening connections across our family of schools.
As part of our “Your Impact, My Jersey” tradition, senior student-athletes choose a staff member who has made a significant difference in their high school experience. At the end of each athletic season, they present that individual with a school shirt as a meaningful symbol of appreciation, recognition, and gratitude for their support and influence.
Our Indigenous students are provided support in academics with Teacher tutors, with social/emotional needs via Indigenous Advocates, and a community support worker. This staff also provides support in Professional Development sessions for the rest of our staff in sessions after school and during staff meetings.
The diversity and variety of RSS course offerings is arguably one of the best in British Columbia. Some of these offerings include: Forestry, Emergency Medical Responder, Firefighter, Pre Lifeguarding Academy, multiple Dual Credit programs, Outdoor Education, Cafeteria -- Culinary Arts, Cutter’s Edge Program, Advanced Placement, a Playschool Program, Pre-AP Courses, Cyber Security, Leadership, both Climate & Culture, as well as Social Justice. Additionally we also have Sports Academies (Hockey&Soccer) which is no doubt another reason why RSS is a school of choice in our district. In partnership with Kelowna United Soccer, we have an indoor soccer dome and an outdoor artificial turf field on our property which we have use of during the school day.
In partnership with our staff, students and Parent Advisory Council, we gather information through scanning, identify Patterns and Trends that emerge and develop our 'If - Then' statements. These become our goals or School Learning Priorities. We purposefully have weekly conversations with our students to gather insight into their experiences so that we can learn from them to understand what it is like to be a student at our school.
Our belief is that Learning is a personal experience for each of us. It is an honour to serve as the Principal of this caring learning community where students have a staff dedicated to supporting learning for all of the members of our community.
Hugh Alexander