News & Events

Our beloved Mo Reilly, former Director of Community Development, has moved to the countryside of Eastern Vermont to be with her partner full time! We already miss her great sense of humor and excellent organizational skills. Mo helped implement and update many systems, such as our student information software and donor database, which will help Rock Point School thrive in the future.

“I remember all of it. I take it all with me in my life ... I was remade because of RPS.” - Lou Laramy, class of 1983 On Saturday, June 13, over fifty members of the Rock Point School community came together on Zoom to share memories, tell stories, and catch up with each other. The afternoon began with C.J. Spirito, current Head of School, sharing highlights from his 40 years at Rock Point, first as a dorm counselor, then as Dean, and finally as head of school. Russ Ellis (Headmaster 1969-1992) also spoke about his time as Head, followed by John Rouleau (Teacher 1971-1992, Headmaster 1992-2011). Ryan Weiland, Dean of School, spoke about her memories as a Residential Educator in the early 2000’s and how they inform her work as the Dean today. Lonnie Edson, our longtime Office Administrator, also shared her favorite memories from working in the front office for over 40 years.

We are excited to launch our Remote Summer Session next week! The remote summer program will run from July 6 to August 13, half days, Mondays through Thursdays. We will have morning meetings, time to connect socially, academic classes for credit recovery, study halls, and time with an advisor. In addition, there will be weekly Enrichment Classes focusing on art, nature, and fun games. New students will get a taste of the best of Rock Point School.

The Rock Point School staff is sad, angry, scared, and frustrated over the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Our hearts are with the families and communities of these victims as they grieve for their loved ones. We believe Black Lives Matter. We know that these killings are only the most recent visible examples of a history of racism in our country, and the racism that continues to permeate our culture is unacceptable. We are committed to working against racism and creating positive change in our school, in our community, and in our country. We encourage everyone to use their right to vote, protest safely, and raise their voices to demand justice, freedom, and peace.

C.J., Jeanine, and Alyssa getting in their miles around Vermont During a typical year in Burlington, the last Sunday in May is reserved for the Vermont City Marathon. It’s one of the city’s largest events, drawing thousands of people for 26.2 miles of celebration. The marathon is known for its joyous, inclusive atmosphere. You can run the whole thing, run half as a relay pair, or run a leg on relay teams of up to five people. This flexibility means the marathon is filled with dedicated die-hards and weekend warriors alike. You’ll see Boston hopefuls and young kiddos all on the same course, and this community atmosphere brings everyone—from runners to spectators—together for a whole lot of fun and camaraderie.

This year, we were challenged to create virtual versions of our traditional end-of-the-year events. Each one plays an important role in closing the school year and helping students transition to their next step, whether that is a summer off or preparation for college. Our staff has worked hard to capture the spirit of these events online, but one of the biggest challenges is making sure all the technical pieces work!

You're Invited to Rock Point School's Remote Reunion on June 13, 1:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. The Rock Point School Reunion is going remote! This year we will be using Zoom to connect with Alumni, former staff, and families.

Prom is one of our favorite non-traditional traditional events at Rock Point School. While most high schools have a prom, ours is an original event that, in typical RPS fashion, does not take itself too seriously. Staff members and students wear everything from traditional black tie to goofy costumes. Students are treated to a ride in a thematic vehicle dubbed the "lame-o" and served milkshakes and smoothies by staff at the Hydration Station. There's often an ice cream truck, an appreciation of seniors, a fancy dinner, and there is always a lot of dancing.This year, we were challenged to bring together these elements of silliness, celebration, community, and tradition while we are all staying home!

Each year Rock Point School participates in the Vermont Young Playwrights' Project, in conjunction with the Vermont Young Writers and Vermont Stage Company. As part of this project, a professional playwright visits the school in the fall for a series of workshops on playwriting. Students produce original 10-minute plays during these workshops and working with our English Teacher, Abbey Baker.

As Rock Point School staff and students have spread out across the country, we have had to get creative with ways to connect with students and find ways for them to connect outside of the classroom. We have recently turned to a program called Discord. Many communities use Discord as a platform to connect, share media, organize events, video/voice chat, and a lot more.