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Richmond Academy of Innovative Learning

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INCOMING GRADE 8 - 9 APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR

CURRENT STATUS: CLOSED

*we are no longer taking applications for the the 24/25 school year* 

2025 Timeline:

Applications open on RVS website ~ Jan. 6, 2025 

Spotlight on Palmer Info. Night ~ Thur. Jan. 23 at 7:00

Virtual MS Teams Info. Session for parents ~ Wed. Feb. 5 at 6:30

Interviews ~ Feb. 24-28

Invitations ~ Sent before Spring Break!

 

Mission Statement:

RAIL's mission is to teach students using inquiry and project-based learning, to become critical thinkers, collaborators, innovators & contributors. 

 

RAIL

Richmond Virtual Schools' RAIL program for grades 8-10 is a blended, project-based program that is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful in their post-secondary education and in the rapidly changing workplaces they will encounter. As full-time students with five RAIL courses and three Palmer courses, you will have connections with the larger Palmer population.  Students will study Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English, and ADST with two RAIL teachers.  Palmer will provide options for PHE, Art, Band, Drama, Tech Ed, and French.  Students will be able to participate in Palmer clubs and sports.   

 

Profile of a RAIL student:

The type of students who will be successful in RAIL are independent learners who are also able to work as members of a team. They are curious, creative, reliable, organized, and able to apply new learning. These students are sociable and willing to speak up with ideas and questions. RAIL Students are doers, leaders, makers, thinkers, dreamers, and problem-solvers. 

 

What does RAIL offer:

  • Provides opportunities for creative, motivated, and independent students to extend their learning through inquiry.  
  • Teaches the Big Ideas through authentic projects.
  • Teaches students through a combination of online content and classroom instruction.
  • Provides students with access to the tools and equipment in the District MakerSpace to plan, design and build their projects.  
  • Often gives students the freedom to choose how they want to demonstrate their learning by creating thoughtful, in-depth projects.
  • Uses outdoor adventures for team building, developing an appreciation of nature and increasing students’ confidence, leadership, and mental well-being.  
  • Provides students with the opportunity to accelerate their learning.
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For eligibility, students must at a minimum:

  • be meeting expectations in the core subjects independently
  • have successfully completed ELL 3.
  • be able to work independently and collaboratively. 
  • be able to use technology. 
  • show evidence of creative extended projects. 
  • be committed to attending daily on-site classes and field trips.
  • be capable of working in a flexible multi-grade learning environment.
  • value the learning process just as much as the mark.

 

Field Trips

There is no course fee for the RAIL program but there is a $1100.00 fee to cover the cost of camping and field trips (pending the return of pre-pandemic trips). The outdoor education program helps students make connections with the environment and creates opportunities for students and teachers to bond and have shared experiences through physical and mental challenges. When students overcome their perceived limits they feel more confident, experience more success and take more educational risks in and out of the classroom.