Reedsburg Area High School is a public high school located in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and is a part of the School District of Reedsburg. The high school was built in 1998 by Kraemer Brothers. It serves more than 900 students in grades 9-12 from Reedsburg, Loganville, La Valle, Ironton, Rock Springs, and the surrounding communities. Reedsburg Area High School's mascot is Herbie the Beaver. The school's colors are navy and white. Rob Taylor and Matt Terry are the current principal and vice principal, respectively. Bryan Yager is the activities director. The school offers 10 AP courses in five different departments and several dual-credit classes with Madison Area Technical College. Reedsburg Area High School has six choirs, 3 bands and an orchestra, along with a fall musical or one-act play, and a play in the spring. There are over 14 different sports, and several clubs available to all students. The school year is divided into two 18 week semesters. RAHS uses hybrid-block scheduling, and has a seven period day. Monday through Wednesday, each period is 50 minutes long, passing periods are five minutes, and every student has a 30 minute RTI time at the end of the day. On Thursdays and Fridays, each period is 90 minutes long, passing periods are 10 minutes, and RTI is 30 minutes long. The seven periods are split between Thursday and Friday, with early dismissal every Friday at 2:05.
History
In 1957, Webb High School finished construction, north of Webb Park. Herbert H. Webb donated the rest of his remaining fortune to the city of Reedsburg for the new high school, on his death in 1954. The Webb High School building was renovated and added to in 1962 and 1970. In the 1996 referendum, plans were made to build a new high school along South Albert Avenue, and repurpose Webb High School as the new middle school. The 1996 referendum passed, and the plans were set into motion. Reedsburg Area High School officially opened for the 1998–1999 school year. The CAL Center opened in 1999 after the community donated over 2.3 million dollars towards its construction. In 2015, a new district storage room was added the side of the building, bordering the choir room. In 2020, a new fitness center will be built behind the small gym, and will have a new weight room, and new wrestling rooms.
CAL Center
The CAL Center is a building adjacent to Reedsburg Area High School that hosts music and drama performances, as well as other events. The 598 seat auditorium opened in 1999. The CAL Center was funded entirely by private donations by individuals and local businesses that totaled over 2.3 million dollars. The auditorium includes a control booth, in-house sound console, and an orchestra pit. The CAL Center has a large green room and a scene shop. The CAL Center was conceptualized during the 1996 referendum to build the new high school. The 2.3 million dollar CAL Center was left off of the 1996 referendum because the committee members didn't think it would pass. In just three years, the community had came together to donate a collective 2.3 million dollars to the CAL Center. It opened in September 1999.
Fitness Center
The Reedsburg Athletic Club has been fundraising since March 19 2019, in order to get a new fitness center built at Reedsburg Area High School. They had a fundraising goal of $600,000, and as of September 18 2019, the Reedsburg Athletic Club has received $120,000 in donations, and grants. As of February 5 2020, the school board approved the addition of the new facility. The School District of Reedsburg will be using $1.8 million leftover 2017 referendum funds, $1 million in a 10-year loan, and the $600,000 fundraiser from the Reedsburg Athletic Club, in order to pay for the new fitness center.
Extracurricular activities
Athletics
RAHS offers over 14 different sports available to its students. The list below shows the 2019–2020 school year.
Boys'
Girls'
Cross Country
Cross Country
Golf
Golf
Soccer
Soccer
Tennis
Tennis
Football
Volleyball
Basketball
Basketball
Wrestling
Gymnastics
Baseball
Dance Team
Hockey
Hockey
Track & Field
Track & Field
Softball
The school's varsity football team won the division three state championship on November 20, 2009, defeating West De Pere 34–27.
Clubs
RAHS offers 18 different clubs available to all students. The list below shows the 2019–2020 school year
RAHS has a competitive show choir, named the "Choraliers", and previously had a women's-only group, "Corodonna". During the 2020 season, Choraliers took home the Best Vocals, Best Band and Grand Championship awards at the Monona Grover Silver Stage Invitational.
Drama Club
RAHS offers Drama Club available to all students. In the fall, the club gets together to perform a musical on odd numbered years, and a one-act play on even numbered years. In the spring there is a play. In 2019, Reedsburg Area High School was selected to perform their "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" musical for the Wisconsin High School Theatre Festival in the Milwaukee High School of the Arts.
