Big news and major community appreciation!
We are thrilled to recognize our newest community partner, Harrisonburg Public Works!
They recently donated a generous variety of lumber to our agriculture program, providing essential materials for our students’ hands-on projects. To show our gratitude, our Ecology students put their skills to work and crafted two custom Adirondack chairs—which we had the honor of delivering to the Public Works team Wednesday!
And the exciting news doesn't stop there!
Rockingham Academy has officially been awarded a grant of nearly $900 from the Blue Ridge Community College Career Pathways Consortium to establish a brand-new pollinator and learning garden on campus!
We’re equally excited to share that Harrisonburg Public Works will be partnering with us once again to help bring this vibrant learning space to life.
Thank you to our amazing community partners for investing in our students and the future of Rockingham Academy!
We are thrilled to recognize our newest community partner, Harrisonburg Public Works!
They recently donated a generous variety of lumber to our agriculture program, providing essential materials for our students’ hands-on projects. To show our gratitude, our Ecology students put their skills to work and crafted two custom Adirondack chairs—which we had the honor of delivering to the Public Works team Wednesday!
And the exciting news doesn't stop there!
Rockingham Academy has officially been awarded a grant of nearly $900 from the Blue Ridge Community College Career Pathways Consortium to establish a brand-new pollinator and learning garden on campus!
We’re equally excited to share that Harrisonburg Public Works will be partnering with us once again to help bring this vibrant learning space to life.
Thank you to our amazing community partners for investing in our students and the future of Rockingham Academy!
Attention Rockingham Academy Families:
No school for students on Monday, October 12, 2026 for a teacher workday.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 will be an ODD day for students.
Students--enjoy your long weekend!
No school for students on Monday, October 12, 2026 for a teacher workday.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 will be an ODD day for students.
Students--enjoy your long weekend!
Turning raw materials into functional art!
Our Applied Agriculture Concepts students recently completed a hands-on project that required precision, patience, and craftsmanship: transforming rough lumber into custom end-grain cutting boards and charcuterie boards.
Projects like this teach critical shop skills, safety, and project design—plus, the final results look incredible! We are so proud of the hard work and detail our students put into every single board.
Our Applied Agriculture Concepts students recently completed a hands-on project that required precision, patience, and craftsmanship: transforming rough lumber into custom end-grain cutting boards and charcuterie boards.
Projects like this teach critical shop skills, safety, and project design—plus, the final results look incredible! We are so proud of the hard work and detail our students put into every single board.
Our Horticulture students have been busy growing, blooming, and creating!
Here’s a quick look at what they’ve been up to:
Hydroponics in Action: Students sowed a fresh variety of herb and leafy green seeds—including crisp lettuce, spinach, and kale—for our two indoor hydroponic growing systems!
Campus Beautification: They’ve been hard at work outdoors refreshing our landscape beds and decorative planters with vibrant new flowers.
Creative Touches: Adding a personal artistic flair, students designed and hand-crafted unique artwork on custom clay flowerpots.
From seed to sanctuary, our students are making our campus greener and brighter every day!
Here’s a quick look at what they’ve been up to:
Hydroponics in Action: Students sowed a fresh variety of herb and leafy green seeds—including crisp lettuce, spinach, and kale—for our two indoor hydroponic growing systems!
Campus Beautification: They’ve been hard at work outdoors refreshing our landscape beds and decorative planters with vibrant new flowers.
Creative Touches: Adding a personal artistic flair, students designed and hand-crafted unique artwork on custom clay flowerpots.
From seed to sanctuary, our students are making our campus greener and brighter every day!
Connecting language and the mind in Ms. Trumbo’s classroom!
Recently, students combined language arts and brain science through two interactive activities:
Latin and Greek Roots Tree: Students crafted and organized colorful vocabulary cards onto a giant tree display, discovering how ancient roots form modern words.
Brain & Executive Function: Students explored brain science and executive functioning, learning key strategies for focus, organization, and self-regulation. We love seeing our students engage their minds and build tools for lifelong learning!
Recently, students combined language arts and brain science through two interactive activities:
Latin and Greek Roots Tree: Students crafted and organized colorful vocabulary cards onto a giant tree display, discovering how ancient roots form modern words.
Brain & Executive Function: Students explored brain science and executive functioning, learning key strategies for focus, organization, and self-regulation. We love seeing our students engage their minds and build tools for lifelong learning!
Starting the week off right!
On Monday, our amazing administration and office staff teamed up to cook a delicious breakfast for all of our students and staff! There’s no better way to kick off a great week than with good food, great company, and a little extra fuel to power our learning.
A massive thank you to our office team for cooking up a storm and taking such good care of our school family!
On Monday, our amazing administration and office staff teamed up to cook a delicious breakfast for all of our students and staff! There’s no better way to kick off a great week than with good food, great company, and a little extra fuel to power our learning.
A massive thank you to our office team for cooking up a storm and taking such good care of our school family!
Representing the RA Phoenix in every shade!
Earlier this year, students had the chance to customize their own t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies with our RA Phoenix logo in their favorite colors. Last Friday, our campus was buzzing as students and staff members showed off their vibrant new gear together!
We love seeing our community express their unique style while repping Phoenix pride!
Earlier this year, students had the chance to customize their own t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies with our RA Phoenix logo in their favorite colors. Last Friday, our campus was buzzing as students and staff members showed off their vibrant new gear together!
We love seeing our community express their unique style while repping Phoenix pride!
Happy National Coaches Day!
Today we celebrate the incredible coaches who dedicate their time to our athletes, especially our own Mr. Cody Shifflett, Mr. Dan Rolfe, and Mr. Travis Myers ( TAHS Football).
These leaders do so much more than teach plays and drills; they are teachers who serve as mentors, role models, and leaders in the classroom. They teach the value of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and great sportsmanship—skills that last a lifetime.
Thank you for all you do! We appreciate you!
Special Shout-Outs:
We'd also like to recognize former coaches Mr. Cam Carte (basketball) and Mr. Jamie Eberly (basketball) for their past dedication to our students and athletics programs. We appreciate Mr. Eberly continuing to support high school sports as a referee!
Today we celebrate the incredible coaches who dedicate their time to our athletes, especially our own Mr. Cody Shifflett, Mr. Dan Rolfe, and Mr. Travis Myers ( TAHS Football).
These leaders do so much more than teach plays and drills; they are teachers who serve as mentors, role models, and leaders in the classroom. They teach the value of teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and great sportsmanship—skills that last a lifetime.
Thank you for all you do! We appreciate you!
Special Shout-Outs:
We'd also like to recognize former coaches Mr. Cam Carte (basketball) and Mr. Jamie Eberly (basketball) for their past dedication to our students and athletics programs. We appreciate Mr. Eberly continuing to support high school sports as a referee!
Happy National Custodian Day to our absolute hero, Terri!
If you've ever stepped into our school and noticed sparkling clean hallways, a warm smile in the morning, or a problem solved before anyone else even noticed it—you have Terri to thank!
From keeping our classrooms safe and clean to working tirelessly behind the scenes so our school runs smoothly every single day, Terri does it all with patience, dedication, and heart. Our school community simply wouldn't be the same without you!
Let's show Terri some love today! Drop a favorite memory, a thank-you note, or a high-five emoji in the comments below to let Terri know how much we appreciate everything they do for us!
If you've ever stepped into our school and noticed sparkling clean hallways, a warm smile in the morning, or a problem solved before anyone else even noticed it—you have Terri to thank!
From keeping our classrooms safe and clean to working tirelessly behind the scenes so our school runs smoothly every single day, Terri does it all with patience, dedication, and heart. Our school community simply wouldn't be the same without you!
Let's show Terri some love today! Drop a favorite memory, a thank-you note, or a high-five emoji in the comments below to let Terri know how much we appreciate everything they do for us!
October is National Bullying Prevention Month—a time for all of us to unite, raise awareness, learn, and take action to build safer, more supportive schools and communities.
Did you know that more than 1 in 5 students will experience bullying this year? Bullying impacts a student's safety, mental health, and ability to learn—and its effects can last a lifetime. But together, we can change the story.
Here is how you can make a difference this month:
UNITE: Amplify the message that no one deserves to be bullied and everyone deserves to feel safe and supported.
RAISE AWARENESS: Start conversations at home, at school, and in your community about the importance of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
LEARN: Discover effective ways to respond to bullying—whether you experience it, witness it, or want to support someone else.
TAKE ACTION: Participate in local events, share resources, and empower youth to speak up for themselves and others.
Bullying is not a "rite of passage"—it is a community issue that requires all of us. Silence is not an option; every action matters!
Explore free resources, toolkits, and ways to get involved at PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
Did you know that more than 1 in 5 students will experience bullying this year? Bullying impacts a student's safety, mental health, and ability to learn—and its effects can last a lifetime. But together, we can change the story.
Here is how you can make a difference this month:
UNITE: Amplify the message that no one deserves to be bullied and everyone deserves to feel safe and supported.
RAISE AWARENESS: Start conversations at home, at school, and in your community about the importance of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
LEARN: Discover effective ways to respond to bullying—whether you experience it, witness it, or want to support someone else.
TAKE ACTION: Participate in local events, share resources, and empower youth to speak up for themselves and others.
Bullying is not a "rite of passage"—it is a community issue that requires all of us. Silence is not an option; every action matters!
Explore free resources, toolkits, and ways to get involved at PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
Students in the Nutrition and Wellness classes at RA made fall themed peanut butter cookies to test their newly acquired knowledge on food safety, reading the steps and directions of a recipe, learning how to pre heat and use an oven and demonstrating how to use small measuring equipment.
They enjoyed seeing how measurements changed when they were challenged to make their own single serving batch of cookies .
They enjoyed seeing how measurements changed when they were challenged to make their own single serving batch of cookies .
Honoring Our Heroes
Our Family and Consumer Science (FCS) students spent Patriot Day remembering the heroes of 9/11 and giving back to those who protect us every day!
Students whipped up custom snack mixes, packaged them with patriotic ribbons, and attached special tags. They were proud to deliver these sweet treats to our School Resource Officer, Deputy Neumann, and the brave firefighters at Station 2 to say a big THANK YOU for their service!
Our Family and Consumer Science (FCS) students spent Patriot Day remembering the heroes of 9/11 and giving back to those who protect us every day!
Students whipped up custom snack mixes, packaged them with patriotic ribbons, and attached special tags. They were proud to deliver these sweet treats to our School Resource Officer, Deputy Neumann, and the brave firefighters at Station 2 to say a big THANK YOU for their service!
Hands-on learning in action!
Students in our Family and Consumer Science classes kicked off the term with some creative team-building! From sculpting playdough into items they’ll learn to create this year to crafting pipe cleaner models that showcase their unique personalities, our students are already making connections and building skills.
We can't wait to see all the amazing things they’ll cook, design, and create this year!
Students in our Family and Consumer Science classes kicked off the term with some creative team-building! From sculpting playdough into items they’ll learn to create this year to crafting pipe cleaner models that showcase their unique personalities, our students are already making connections and building skills.
We can't wait to see all the amazing things they’ll cook, design, and create this year!
September is Attendance Awareness Month!
Showing up every day is one of the most powerful things a student can do to build a bright future. Every school day is a chance to learn something new, connect with friends, and stay on track for graduation!
Facts You Should Know
1 in 6: High school dropouts are 16 times more likely to have been chronically absent in elementary or middle school.
Future Earnings: On average, high school dropouts earn significantly less over their lifetimes and face twice the unemployment rate of high school graduates.
Missing Just 2 Days: Missing just two days of school per month adds up to missing 10% of the school year—making it much harder to keep up with classwork.
Tips for Students to Keep Attendance Strong
Set a regular routine: Go to bed at the same time each night and set an alarm for the morning.
Prep the night before: Lay out your outfit, pack your backpack, and prepare your lunch before going to sleep.
Track your progress: Keep a calendar to track your attendance goals and celebrate full-week streaks.
Reach out when you need help: If you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling with schoolwork, or feeling unwell, talk to a teacher, school counselor, or parent right away.
Let's make this school year count—one day at a time!
Showing up every day is one of the most powerful things a student can do to build a bright future. Every school day is a chance to learn something new, connect with friends, and stay on track for graduation!
Facts You Should Know
1 in 6: High school dropouts are 16 times more likely to have been chronically absent in elementary or middle school.
Future Earnings: On average, high school dropouts earn significantly less over their lifetimes and face twice the unemployment rate of high school graduates.
Missing Just 2 Days: Missing just two days of school per month adds up to missing 10% of the school year—making it much harder to keep up with classwork.
Tips for Students to Keep Attendance Strong
Set a regular routine: Go to bed at the same time each night and set an alarm for the morning.
Prep the night before: Lay out your outfit, pack your backpack, and prepare your lunch before going to sleep.
Track your progress: Keep a calendar to track your attendance goals and celebrate full-week streaks.
Reach out when you need help: If you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling with schoolwork, or feeling unwell, talk to a teacher, school counselor, or parent right away.
Let's make this school year count—one day at a time!
Attention High School Families!
Getting ready to hit the road? Rockingham County Public Schools requires students taking Driver Education to complete the mandatory 90-Minute Parent/Student Driver Education Component (per Virginia Code § 22.1-205).
Attendance is required for students to successfully pass the classroom portion and receive their DEC-1 card!
Upcoming Meeting Dates & Locations:
East Rockingham HS: Monday, Oct 26 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Turner Ashby HS: Tuesday, Nov 3 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Spotswood HS: Tuesday, Nov 17 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Broadway HS: Wednesday, Dec 2 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
The session covers essential topics including licensing procedures, juvenile driving restrictions, parental responsibilities, and key safety tips for young drivers.
Full details: https://www.rcps.net/page/drivers-education
Yesterday’s first day of school was nothing short of amazing!
Our classrooms are ready, our bulletin boards are set, and most importantly, our incredible students are back!
A few reminders for the year ahead:
Be Kind & make new connections
Work Hard & stay focused
Dream Big & try new things
Believe In Yourself — you have what it takes!
Thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, students, and families for making yesterday such a warm, joyful start. Welcome home!
Our classrooms are ready, our bulletin boards are set, and most importantly, our incredible students are back!
A few reminders for the year ahead:
Be Kind & make new connections
Work Hard & stay focused
Dream Big & try new things
Believe In Yourself — you have what it takes!
Thank you to our amazing teachers, staff, students, and families for making yesterday such a warm, joyful start. Welcome home!
Back to School Night is Almost Here!
Mark your calendars! We can’t wait to welcome our families back for the upcoming school year at Rockingham Academy.
Come tour the halls, get excited for the year ahead, and check everything off your pre-school checklist! Meet your teachers, Meet the counselors, Tour the school, Get your class schedule!
Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
See you all there! Let’s make this school year the best one yet.
Mark your calendars! We can’t wait to welcome our families back for the upcoming school year at Rockingham Academy.
Come tour the halls, get excited for the year ahead, and check everything off your pre-school checklist! Meet your teachers, Meet the counselors, Tour the school, Get your class schedule!
Date: Monday, August 17
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
See you all there! Let’s make this school year the best one yet.
Wishing Our RA Family an Incredible Summer!
With graduation celebrations in the books and the 2025–2026 school year officially wrapped up, it’s time to take a well-deserved breath!
Whether you just crossed the stage, finished up some major credit milestones, or are gearing up for your next big academic step, we want to give a massive shoutout to our entire community for making this past year so unforgettable.
Make the Most of Your Break:
Rest & Recharge: You’ve worked incredibly hard. Take time to relax, unplug, and enjoy the sunshine.
Stay Safe: Look out for one another and make amazing memories.
Keep Growing: Remember, learning never truly stops—read a great book, dive into a hobby, or just explore something new!
Looking Ahead: See You This Fall!
To all of our returning students and the new faces joining the RA family—we are already counting down the days until the Fall 2026 semester! We can't wait to see you back on campus, refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle new goals.
Important Note: Keep an eye on your student email and our social pages later this summer for key dates, and back-to-school updates!
Have a safe, happy, and wonderful summer, everyone!
With graduation celebrations in the books and the 2025–2026 school year officially wrapped up, it’s time to take a well-deserved breath!
Whether you just crossed the stage, finished up some major credit milestones, or are gearing up for your next big academic step, we want to give a massive shoutout to our entire community for making this past year so unforgettable.
Make the Most of Your Break:
Rest & Recharge: You’ve worked incredibly hard. Take time to relax, unplug, and enjoy the sunshine.
Stay Safe: Look out for one another and make amazing memories.
Keep Growing: Remember, learning never truly stops—read a great book, dive into a hobby, or just explore something new!
Looking Ahead: See You This Fall!
To all of our returning students and the new faces joining the RA family—we are already counting down the days until the Fall 2026 semester! We can't wait to see you back on campus, refreshed, energized, and ready to tackle new goals.
Important Note: Keep an eye on your student email and our social pages later this summer for key dates, and back-to-school updates!
Have a safe, happy, and wonderful summer, everyone!
Celebrating the Remarkable Class of 2026!
What an absolutely phenomenal year it has been at RA! Our students have poured in the hours, overcome obstacles, and shown true dedication to their futures.
Today, we are incredibly proud to share the final milestone numbers for the 2025–2026 school year, alongside the names of our incredible graduates!
356 Class Credits Completed , 20 High School Diploma Graduates, and 14 GED Graduates .
To all of our grads—you earned every single bit of this moment. Go out there and make your mark on the world!
What an absolutely phenomenal year it has been at RA! Our students have poured in the hours, overcome obstacles, and shown true dedication to their futures.
Today, we are incredibly proud to share the final milestone numbers for the 2025–2026 school year, alongside the names of our incredible graduates!
356 Class Credits Completed , 20 High School Diploma Graduates, and 14 GED Graduates .
To all of our grads—you earned every single bit of this moment. Go out there and make your mark on the world!
Huge shoutout to this fantastic crew!
This morning, Mr. Eberly, Mr. Myers, Mr. Shifflett, and Mr. Rolfe stepped up to keep our community beautiful. They spent their morning picking up litter along a 1-mile stretch of road right here in Rockingham County.
We love seeing our Rockingham Academy team leading by example and taking care of the place we call home.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication, gentlemen!
This morning, Mr. Eberly, Mr. Myers, Mr. Shifflett, and Mr. Rolfe stepped up to keep our community beautiful. They spent their morning picking up litter along a 1-mile stretch of road right here in Rockingham County.
We love seeing our Rockingham Academy team leading by example and taking care of the place we call home.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication, gentlemen!
