Frequently Asked Questions

Rock University High School is located on the

Enter Blackhawk Technical College through parking lot L and enter through door 2-15.

Rock University High School is a Public Charter School in the School District of Janesville. We do not charge tuition for resident students or open enrollment students. Parents will be charged the same yearly fees as students at non-charter high schools including class fees, laboratory and/or extra-curricular activity fees.

Rock University High School follows a middle college model, allowing students to earn an accredited high school diploma while also earning credits towards a college certificate or degree. Rock University High School incorporates a STEM curriculum and is connected to college and university resources. School District students entering grades 9-12 are eligible to enroll. Rock University High School is not a credit-recovery school.

A variety of AP courses are available and students are encouraged to take AP classes at Rock University High School. AP Courses allow students to earn college credits through College Board advanced placement coursework AND passing (score of 3 to 5) of the course AP Exam.

Dual credit/transcripted courses are also offered at RUHS. These courses are not associated with the College Board but are accredited through Blackhawk Technical College. Completion of dual credit/transcripted courses earns students college credits in that subject at Blackhawk Technical College and can transfer or be elective credits at other colleges or universities.

The Rock University High School is open to all grade 9-12 students. There are no prerequisites or criteria to determine entry; however, RUHS is not a credit recovery high school. The application and interview process is outlined on our website. 

Motivated students seeking real-world applications and relevancy will find Rock University High School a place for personal growth and achievement. Rock University High School follows a middle college model, allowing students to earn an accredited high school diploma while also earning credits towards a college certificate or degree. Rock University High School incorporates a STEM curriculum and is connected to college and university resources.

Transportation routes and scheduling will coordinate with the Janesville Transit System and the Beloit-Janesville Express. Blackhawk Technical College offers their shuttle to all RUHS students--shuttle routes can be found on the Blackhawk Technical College website.

Rock University High School is recognized by public and private colleges and universities. Rock University High School prepares students for college and careers with connections to universities and technical schools. As a middle college, Rock University High School allows students to earn college credits congruently with their high school credits.

These credits can be earned within RUHS as transcripted/dual credit courses and are recognized as transcripted credits by Blackhawk Technical College and can transfer as core or elective credits by other colleges and universities. College credits can also be earned through AP Coursework and through the Start College Now and/or Early College Credit programs offered by the School District of Janesville. Rock University High School has direct connections with Blackhawk Technical College and UW-Whitewater for students to earn college credits.

Other opportunities are available for students to earn credits at all other Wisconsin colleges and universities.

Yes, extra- and or co-curricular activities will be available at Rock University High School; as well as, offered through a student's neighborhood school if they are residents of the Janesville School District. A student's neighborhood school is the high school he or she would attend if not a student at Rock University High School.

Students open enrolling into the Janesville School District as non-residents will be assigned a home high school per established criteria for this purpose. Students who attend Rock University High School retain their athletic/student life privileges at their home high school.

All Rock University High School students have personalized student learning plans that enable them to tailor their learning opportunities as well as provide adequate time to achieve mastery in areas where needed. Personalized learning plans allow students to set goals for higher learning. Instructors work with students in a 1 teacher to 16 student ratio to deliver individual attention and guidance.

Learning is tailored to the needs of a diverse student body. Students with Individual Education Plans,504s, and English language learners will receive tailored support and coursework to strengthen their academic skills and support their individual learning plans and goals.

Rock University High School recognizes students of academic, honor, high honor, and excellence. This recognition is posted throughout the district and school social media accounts and in the local paper.

All extra-curricular and non-academic achievements may be celebrated throughout the year through Rock University High School Rockstar Awards and school or club organized ceremonies. All RUHS students who participate in athletics or clubs at their homeschool are invited to that school's athletic's and club's award ceremonies.

The Rock University High School classroom is a blended learning environment: students work in collaborative groups with a teacher mentor (tradition-style), face-to-face with a teacher mentor, or independently to achieve mastery. All traditional, Advanced Placement, and dual enrollment academic courses are in line with university and technical college requirements. Classes are enriched and designed to allow for deeper learning and prepare students for college and careers. Students are encouraged to use their time outside of scheduled class time to explore and use the many technologies we have to offer, create enrichment opportunities for themselves and their peers, as well as participate in real-world activities including work-based learning, internships, and apprenticeships.

Students and teachers set academic and career goals and work together to create a personalized learning path. A typical schedule at Rock University High School varies daily to allow for flexible scheduling and learning. RUHS models a college-like schedule where core academic classes meet 2-3 days per week, lab classes are extended periods of time, and elective classes are scheduled to meet the curriculum goals and course objectives. Students are required to be independent and motivated learners.

Provided you have your own transportation, you may take courses at other schools in the district (Parker High School or Craig High School) with the consent of the school's administration. Students may also enroll in classes through ARISE Virtual Academy (AVA) and take online courses from any location.

Credits earned at other schools in the district are limited in order to maintain primary placement at Rock University High School. To remain a Rock University High School student, the majority of your credits must be earned at RUHS.

Rock University High School issues our own diploma and conducts our own graduation ceremony. Students must earn 26.5 credits total: 4.0 English, 3.0 Mathematics, 3.0 Social Studies, 3.0 Science, 1.5 Physical Education, 0.5 Seminar, and 0.5 Personal Finance. Transfer credits from other high schools will be recognized towards a Rock University High School diploma.

Students eager to earn a certificate or associate's degree upon high school graduation will work closely with an academic advisor to plan a personalized path towards achieving dual credits and certification/degree.

Rock University High School gives students and parents a voice in education. Students engage in creative inquiry-based projects and field experiences through science, technology, engineering, humanities, the arts, social sciences, languages, and mathematics.

Rock University High School is the first Public Charter School in Rock County to adopt the middle college model.

Choice is a powerful tool for parents and students seeking equal access to quality education. Research tells us that there are different learning styles. Providing students with multiple ways to learn content improves achievement. Charter Schools offer the flexibility in learning in a smaller, personalized environment. In Janesville, all Charter Schools are public schools.

The School District of Janesville lunch program offers sack lunches to Rock University High School students daily. Detailed information regarding the lunch program is available on the School District of Janesville website.

Rock University High School has a refrigerator and microwave for students to use. RUHS students also have access to Blackhawk Technical College's cafeteria and vending machines.

Due to our flexible scheduling, there is no set lunch period, students take lunch break as their schedule allows.

Rock University High School office and classroom spaces are open from 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Classes are scheduled between 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Blackhawk Technical College is open from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, but closes at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays.

Rock University High School students are able to park, at no cost, throughout the Blackhawk Technical College student parking lots.

Rock University High School is a 1:1 technology school--all students have a school-issued electronic device. RUHS checks out a MacBook Pro to each student after the student and parent sign a technology agreement. RUHS also offers an array of technologies for student use in the coursework and personal endeavors. Technologies offered, but not limited to:

• 3D Printer
• Ipad
• Cricut
• Swivl
• Raspberry Pi
• Robotics
• Virtual Reality
• Apple TV
• Sound and recording equipment
• Apple Applications
• Cameras and camera equipment

Rock University High School encourages and accepts students from outside the School District of Janesville. More information about Open Enrollment dates and documents can be found at:
https://www.janesville.k12.wi.us/community/student-enrollment

Students of Rock University High School have access to all of the amenities, except the fitness center (unless they are age 18), on Blackhawk Technical College's Central Campus. BTC Central Campus features a technical library, gender-neutral bathrooms, student success center, bookstore, Starbucks, and a campus cafeteria.

The BTC Student Services Center includes offices for guidance, admissions and registration, placement, financial aid, veteran's affairs, minority student services, and student activities. Rock University High School students are invited to participate in all student clubs, events, and activities at Blackhawk Technical College. 

Central Campus has ample free parking and public bus service from Beloit and Janesville is available. In addition, BTC has its own Shuttle service that transports students to all campus locations and designated shuttle stops.

Within Rock University High School students have access to a student common space, a refrigerator, and a microwave.

Rock University High School is located on the Blackhawk Technical College campus that has a safety and security office. All School District of Janesville and Blackhawk Technical College safety procedures and precautions are adhered to and strictly followed. Also, for extra peace of mind, the Blackhawk Technical College houses the local police academy and a hub for the Rock County Sheriff station.

Rock University High School has maintained a 100% high school graduation rate--and we plan to continue! RUHS opened its doors in 2015 and many of our alumni have not yet graduated from college. However, students from RUHS are attending:

• UW-Madison
• Blackhawk Technical College
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• UW-Milwaukee
• Carrol College
• Viterbo
• Beloit College
• Valperezzo 
• Drake University
• And many more!

Rock University High School offers a challenging, real-world applicable, STEM-based curriculum. Students are expected to be motivated and independent learners. RUHS staff encourages and supports students through guided inquiry and help them realize their full potential.

Students at Rock University High School have access to all interventions and academic supports provided by the School District of Janesville. Our Student Service Specialist (Guidance Counselor) is the general case manager for students with 504 accommodation plans. Special Education case managers are available to support students with IEPs. Math and Reading Intervention classes are offered for students in need of additional supports. All students have access to academic and behavioral support with their teacher mentor which could include Check-In/Check-Out Meetings and/or Academic/Behavior Contracts.

Rock University High School prides itself in being a trauma-sensitive school.

Rock University High School focuses on helping students build skills and reach goals in all aspects of their lives. RUHS educates and nurtures the whole child!

Rock University High School provides college and career application assistance to all students. RUHS students have a peer advisory group where they focus on building and maintaining college and career readiness skills. RUHS also has a student services specialist that aids in student-specific needs and requests.

Rock University High School uses scheduled class time wisely to allow for maximized student learning, creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Coursework is designed and assigned to assess student learning. The amount of work and time spent on coursework outside of scheduled classes will vary based on the course and learning objectives.  Students are encouraged to use time between scheduled classes to complete coursework on campus, where teachers and staff are easily accessible to help if needed.