School Profile
Rio Americano High School
4540 American River Drive Sacramento, CA 95864
Tel:(916) 971-7494
Fax: (916) 971-7513
“National Blue Ribbon School" 1994, 1996, 2006
“A California Distinguished School” 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2013
Cliff Kelly, Principal
Gina Jackson, Vice Principal
Jennifer Keith, Vice Principal
Chris Hauger, Vice Principal
COMMUNITY: Rio Americano High School is located in a suburban community along the American River Parkway, minutes from the state capitol in downtown Sacramento, California. The majority of the students reside in the surrounding established neighborhoods.
SCHOOL: Rio Americano is a comprehensive public high school consisting of grades 9-12 with a strong emphasis on college preparatory curriculum. The class of 2025 has 498 students. The academic year is based on two semesters, each eighteen weeks in length. The school offers a six-period day with each class lasting 59 minutes.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES: English Language, English Literature, Seminar, Research, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics 1, United States History, Macro Economics, Micro Economics, U.S. Government and Politics, Spanish, French, Studio Art, Computer Science, Statistics, World History, and European History.
GRADING STANDARDS:
Unweighted classes are graded on a four-point scale: A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0
Weighted courses: Honors, Advanced Placement, and Dual Enrollment courses add one point for each class with a "C" grade or better.
A=5, B=4, C=3
This grading scale is applicable to all students. Both weighted and unweighted grades are calculated on the transcript. In cases of repeated courses, only the higher grade is calculated, although all attempts are shown.
This grading scale is applicable to all students. Both weighted and unweighted grades are calculated on the transcript. In cases of repeated courses, only the higher grade is calculated.
Highest GPA: Highest GPA for the class of 2026: 4.77
CLASS RANKING: Rio Americano High School/San Juan USD does not provide ranking information.
SPECIAL PROGRAM FEATURES: Rio is accredited by the Western Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges, most recently in 2023. In 1994, 1996 and 2006, Rio was named a National Blue Ribbon School. The State of California has recognized Rio Americano's excellence by honoring the school with the Distinguished School Award in 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005 and 2013. Rio is especially renowned for its outstanding music, theater, and journalism programs, as well as for its academic competitions (Academic Decathlon, Science Bowl, Science Olympiad, Speech & Debate, Mock Trial, and Moot Court) and its athletic teams. Rio’s four-year Academia CIVITAS, a Political Studies Academy, offers an integrated, specialized curriculum addressing civic responsibility and public policy issues.
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS: Total students: 1891
Seniors: 498
Juniors: 460
Sophomores: 514
Freshman: 465
POST HIGH SCHOOL PLANS CLASS of 2025:
4 year college/university: 47%
2 year college: 45%
Vocational/tech school: 2%
Military: 2%
Work: 4%
Of the students who reported their college of attendance, these are the anticipated schools of attendance for Fall 2025.
University of California 13.1% •
California State University 18.4% •
Community College 48.5% •
Out of State/Private Schools 19.3%
STUDENT ACTIVITIES:
There are more than 60 student organized clubs active on campus. Each fall students can apply to charter a club in the areas of academics, politics, culture, religion, athletics, philanthropy and special interests. Currently, chartered student clubs include Big Sis/ Little Sis, Operation Smile, Rio Garden Club, Hack Club, Malala Club and Lunch with Friends.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
40 credits English
30 credits Mathematics
20 credits Physical Education
20 Credits World Lang
10 credits Life Science
10 credits Physical Science
10 credits Additional Science
10 credits World History
10 credits US History
5 credits American Gov
5 credits Social Studies Elective
5 credits Econ
5 credits Health
10 credits Visual/Performing Arts
30 Elective credits
220 Total Credits
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID):
The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students succeed in a rigorous college preparation program. Rio provides AVID students intensive support with tutorials and strong student/teacher relationships.
CIVITAS:
Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California, offers Academia CIVITAS, a four-year honors program. The Civitas program provides students with advanced and specialized learning in the social sciences and an enriched sense of citizenship. To prepare students to be active, responsible, knowledgeable citizens who accept their role as civic minded adults.
TEST SCORES (CEEB-ACT CODE: 052730):
SAT Mean Total: 1158
SAT Mean Evidence-based Reading & Writing: 594
SAT Mean Math: 564
ACT Mean Composite: Unavailable
NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALIST SCHOLARS for the CLASS of 2025: 2
Commended Scholars for the Class of 2025: 4
ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS: In May 2025, 734 students took a total of 1,009 Advanced Placement Examinations in the following areas: English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Seminar, European History, United States History, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Biology, Physics 1, Spanish Language, French Language, Economics Macro, Economics Micro, Government and Politics, Computer Science and 2-D Art & Design, and Drawing
CLASS OF 2025 4-YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE
| Arizona State University Berklee School of Music Boise State University Boston University Brown University Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Chapman University CSU Channel Islands CSU Chico CSU Dominguez Hills CSU East Bay CSU Fresno CSU Fullerton CSU Long Beach CSU Los Angeles CSU Monterey Bay CSU Northridge CSU San Marcos Cal Maritime Academy CSU Sacramento CUNY: Hunter Clemson University Columbia University Colorado School of the Mines Colorado State University at Boulder Colorado State Cornell University Dillard University Dominican University Duke University Eastern Washington University Emerson College Fashion Institute of Technology Fordham University Georgetown University Gonzaga University Hawaii Pacific |
| Hellenic College Kent State Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Michigan State University Metropolitan State University Montana State University Mount Saint Mary's University New York University Northern Arizona University Oregon State University Pennsylvania State University Pepperdine University Pitzer College Point Loma Nazarene University Pomona College Purdue University Reed College Santa Clara University San Diego State University San Francisco State University San Jose State University Seattle University Sonoma State University Southern Methodist University Southern Oregon University St. John's University St. Mary's College Stanford University Syracuse University Texas Christian University Texas Tech The College of William & Mary The New School The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of Arizona University of Arizona University of Alabama |
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