Upper School (9-12)

Rocky Mount Academy’s Upper School: A Place to Grow, Lead, and Excel

Welcome!

At Rocky Mount Academy, our college preparatory program provides a well-rounded educational experience that supports every student’s academic and personal growth. From rigorous coursework to a broad range of extracurricular activities—including athletics, clubs, and the fine arts—students are encouraged to explore their passions and discover new interests.

Leadership development is an essential part of the RMA experience. Through student-led clubs and organizations, students are empowered to build confidence, collaborate with peers, and grow into capable leaders. Every aspect of our Upper School is guided by our mission: “To prepare students for the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities they will encounter in college and in life.” This mission shapes the decisions we make and the experiences we create.
We place strong emphasis on both intellectual and social development. Our Honor Code nurtures integrity and personal responsibility, while our Community Service requirement instills empathy, compassion, and a sense of purpose in serving others. Our goal is to educate the whole student—mind, body, and character.

Upper School teachers at RMA are deeply invested in each student’s success, offering personalized support and encouragement to help them grow academically, socially, and athletically. We provide countless opportunities for students to thrive both within the classroom and beyond.

RMA students consistently achieve the highest SAT scores among both public and private schools in our area. Every senior is accepted to college, and with the support of our dedicated college counselor—through both individual and group sessions—students are well-prepared to choose a college or university that aligns with their goals and values.
 

After more than 30 years in public education and over 11 years at RMA, I can say with confidence: if you are committed to pursuing excellence, RMA is the place to make it happen. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about our Upper School—we’d love to hear from you.

Timmy Tucker
Head of Upper School
ttucker@rmacademy.com
(252)443-4126
 

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At the heart of the Upper School are the relationships built between students and teachers. Upper School teachers are available before and after school, during lunch, during study hall and flex period, or by appointment for any extra help students may need. Teachers also serve as mentors, club sponsors, and coaches for the wide variety of extra-curricular activities and sports available.

Students are also encouraged through our advisory program to work with their teachers on setting personal goals, creating an individual learning profile, taking on leadership roles, working in groups to solve complex problems, and discovering what it means to be global citizens.  

Involvement in the Community

One of the many ways Rocky Mount Academy combines its well-known qualities of academic excellence with an emphasis on education for character and citizenship is through community service. Upper school students participate in a variety of community efforts­ through participation in clubs and service groups, and in grades 9-12, by completing required service hours. Visiting the elderly, working with the handicapped, supporting recycling projects, and responding to a host of human service needs in our community are just a few of the ways our students learn they can and do make a difference in the world.
 

Clubs and Activities-Something For Everyone

Whether a student is interested in art, drama, journalism, student government or foreign cultures, there are clubs and activities to meet everyone's needs at Rocky Mount Academy. Preside over the student government, travel with the French and Spanish clubs to Europe, sing in the spring musical, or test your intellectual skills through the Brain Game; the possibilities are endless!

Graduation Requirements

The following academic requirements are established and regularly reviewed to serve as guidelines for meeting the stated academic mission of Rocky Mount Academy.  They are based in part on college admissions requirements.  In the areas of mathematics and history, our requirements exceed the minimum for the state university system.

• 4 units of English
• 4 units of Mathematics, including Geometry, Algebra II, and a course beyond Algebra II
• 3 units of Science, including a life science, a physical science, and a laboratory science
• 3 units of History, including US History
• 2 units of Foreign Language taken in high school
• 1 course in Mathematics must be taken each year
• 1 trimester in Public Speaking
• Participation in the Advisory program each year
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 77 or above
• 23 total units, minimum
• Satisfactory completion of all service hours
• Satisfactory completion of summer reading requirements

Beyond these graduation requirements, certain specific course requirements exist for the 9th and 10th grades.

RMA Course Descriptions 2024-2025

Explanation of Grading System

Academic assessment in the Upper School uses percentile averages that are based on the following criteria:

90 – 100    Indicates that a student is excelling in several if not all of the following: skill development, application of skills, sustained and effective use of knowledge, frequent contribution to class discussion, and initiative by going well beyond standard requirements and expectations.

80 – 89      Indicates that a student is excelling in fulfilling requirements and expectations in some areas and displaying competence in many areas.

70 – 79      Indicates that a student is satisfactorily fulfilling the requirements and expectations, sometimes exceeding or falling below them.

65 – 69      Indicates that a student is not satisfactorily fulfilling the requirements and expectations in many areas.

Below 65   Indicates that a student is not fulfilling basic requirements and expectations.

Honor Roll and Special Honors

The Honor Roll celebrates the high level of academic achievement earned by our students and serves as encouragement for continuing to strive for academic excellence. All honor roll students receive personal recognition from the school for their success. 

Trimester Awards: At the end of each twelve weeks, the following awards are given: 

Headmaster's List: Students have earned a 90 or above average in each course for the trimester. 

High Honors: An overall grade average of 90 or above, with no individual course average below 70. 

Honors: An overall grade average of 80 or above, with no individual course average below 70. 

Yearly Awards: At the end of the school year, the final honor rolls will be named. 

Straight A Honor Roll: No trimester grade below 90 in any course. This will not include exams. 

A Average Honor Roll: The average of all courses of 90 or above with no individual course average below 70 at year’s end. 

B Average Honor Roll: The average of all courses of 80 or above with no individual course average below 70 at year’s end. 

The Headmaster’s Award: Given at the end of the year in each grade to the student with the highest academic average in all graded courses after proper weighting. Failing a course or an exam for any grading period makes a student ineligible for any yearly honor roll. To be eligible to receive the Headmaster’s or departmental awards, a student must have been enrolled a minimum of 75% of the school year at Rocky Mount Academy.