History of Rio Norte

Our History

Rio Norte Junior High School opened on August 18, 2003. As one of six junior high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District, our 25-acre campus serves 7th and 8th-grade students in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Our Campus

Our campus was designed for 1,200 students and currently serves approximately 1,300. The school features a modern layout designed for learning and collaboration.

Key facilities include:

• Six classroom buildings, each with a central computer core.

• An administration building that also houses the library.

• A gymnasium and multi-purpose room.

• 15 relocatable classrooms to support our student population.

Innovative Programs

Rio Norte has a history of pioneering new programs within the Hart District to better serve our students.

Block Scheduling

We were the first school in the district to adopt a block schedule. This approach offers longer class periods, which provides several benefits:

• More time for in-depth assignments and projects.

• Better opportunities for teachers to get to know their students.

• Less time spent passing between classes and more time for learning.

Academic Teaming

We group students into smaller learning communities, or "teams." This creates a "small school" atmosphere where core subject teachers can easily collaborate on lessons and support student needs.

Student Support

We offer a variety of programs to help students who may be struggling. Our goal is to provide timely support to ensure every student can succeed.

Intervention programs include:

• After School Academy: Provides extra help for students who need it.

• Advisory Intervention Program: During our twice-weekly advisory period, students can make up missing assignments or get help with current topics.