Education Options

Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 115.28 (54m), notice must be provided regarding the educational options available to all students who are at least three years old, but not yet 18 years old. Each of the following areas represent educational options for Wisconsin students.

The School District of River Falls “Exceeded Expectations” on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s District Report Card for the 2023-24 school year. Specific district and school report cards can be located on this DPI page. Report card data can also be found on each of our School District of River Falls website, under Academic Services.  The School District of River Falls offers students a variety of educational options to children who reside within the boundaries of the School District of River Falls.  The District’s primary educational pathway and instructional program for students begin with our 4-year-old kindergarten program through 12th grade.  The District’s educational options and recent school performance category (if applicable) are listed below:

Enrollment options

• Attendance at resident public schools
• Attendance at private schools participating  in the Wisconsin Private School Choice
• Program attendance at local district charter schools
• Attendance at virtual schools
• Full-time open enrollment
• Early College Credit Program and Start College Now Program
• Partial enrollment options for pupils enrolled in a home-based private educational program
• Parents of children with disabilities are also advised that there is a special needs voucher program

School District of River Falls Specific Options

Additional Educational programs

Additional educational programs offered to eligible students who are enrolled in and attending school in the School District of River Falls include: 

River Falls Public Montessori Elementary

River Falls Public Montessori Elementary (4K-6) is a collaborative community that supports the development of intrinsically motivated, inquisitive, critical thinking citizens who realize their full potential to serve and positively impact the world. By following the Montessori Method, we promote individualized learning through the exploration and inquiry in multi-aged communities to develop the whole child. For more information, please visit our webpage at https://www.rfsd.k12.wi.us/montessori/.

Renaissance Charter Academy (RCA)

The Renaissance Charter Academy (9-12) is an innovative, charter school that offers programs to meet the needs of a wide range of learners.  Our specialty lies in the area of individualized learning with social and emotional support. The Renaissance Academy partners with the River Falls High School to offer students a larger variety of courses, electives, sports, activities, and clubs. We also offer dual credit courses in cooperation with local technical colleges.  We ensure that all students have a firm grasp of core academics and skills necessary to achieve post-secondary life goals. Students at the Renaissance Academy are expected to demonstrate independent learning skills and embrace the concept of lifelong learning. For more information, please visit our webpage at https://www.rfsd.k12.wi.us/renaissance/.

high school program highlights

Face-to-Face Classroom Instruction

Students at River Falls High School have the opportunity to enroll in a wide variety of coursework in core academic classes, visual arts, performing arts, career and technical education, family consumer science, and other elective opportunities.  These courses offered by RFHS staff are offered through face-to-face instruction or hybrid online courses taught using our learning management system; Schoology. Students participating in these educational opportunities are held accountable to the grading for learning guidelines identified by RFHS and included in our student handbook. These expectations are further communicated in teacher syllabi and/or course expectation guidelines.

Work-Based Learning

Students are offered an opportunity to “earn while they learn”. Students explore real work career opportunities through one of these three school-to-work programs:

Additional Course Opportunities

Online Courses (WVS) Hybrid Courses
Advanced Placement (AP)
Start College Now (SCN)
Dual Academic Credit Program (DACP)
Transcripted Credits (TC)
Advanced Standing (AS)
Independent Study (IS) 

Wisconsin Virtual School (WVS) Courses:

Students at RFHS are provided with the opportunity to participate in coursework offered through WVS. These courses are offered online through a partnership with CESA 9. RFHS students who enroll in WVS coursework have access to additional course opportunities not always offered at RFHS. RFHS has an identified Local Education Guide (LEG) who facilitates all student enrollment in WVS coursework. Our LEG conducts an introduction meeting with students, sends out regular student progress reports, and is available as a liaison if students have any difficulty in the online learning environment.

Why do we use WVS?

• WVS allows us the opportunity to offer courses that we are not able to offer at RFHS.
• WVS allows students to enroll in courses for students who want to participate in other priority courses that conflict with scheduled offerings.
• WVS allows students to personalize their schedule, course selection, and best meet their learning style.
• WVS strives to offer quality courses through their program, has established criteria and standards in which they select their providers, and regularly review and update their course offerings.

Early College Credit Program

Early College Credit Program (ECCP) is a collaborative program between RFHS, UWRF, CVTC, and WITC. Students may enroll in college level courses that earn high school and college or technical school credit. Admission is based on school records and/or special interest courses, approval by the School Board, and available space. If approved, tuition and fees are paid by the school district. Application deadlines are March 1 for fall semester and October 1 for spring semester. Students may not enroll in more than 18 credits during their junior and senior years. Upon enrollment in an ECCP course, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the college or technical school if the student decides not to take the course. This must be accomplished prior to the first class session in order to avoid enrollment charges. Students/families will be required to reimburse the school district for tuition costs in the event of failed or incomplete ECCP classes.

Part-time Open Enrollment

Part-time Open Enrollment provides a means for Wisconsin students to take courses offered by other Wisconsin school districts and also includes the opportunity for students to enroll in courses offered by charter schools, various institutions of higher education, and approved nonprofit organizations at no cost to the student. Specifically, Part-time Open Enrollment allows students enrolled in a public school district to take up to two courses at any time from an educational institution. Part-time Open Enrollment applications must be submitted and received 6 weeks prior to the start of any course.

For more information, please contact the Director of Academic Services office at (715) 425-1800.

Updated: January, 2025