Honored twice as a National Blue Ribbon School (1982-1983; 1994-1996), Rufus King offers a strong college-preparatory program including accelerated courses in all subject areas and many co-curricular activities.  In 2003 and 2005, Newsweek magazine ranked Rufus King as the top high school in Wisconsin, based on a ratio of of IB or AP examinations taking to the number in the graduating class.

Students are required to take a combination of 16 semesters of a foreign language, mathematics, and science. Because of these rigorous graduation requirements, students are expected to enter King with strong academic goals including good attendance and good conduct.

On May 8, 2002, we were selected by the White House as the site of a presidential visit.  President George W. Bush delivered an educational policy address at Rufus King and recognized us as one of the top high school in the country, again singling out our students and staff for national recognition. 

The emphasis on academic excellence is reflected in the strong college preparatory curriculum anchored by the International Baccalaureate Program, established at Rufus King in 1979 (as one of the first urban public schools to offer the program). Successful completion allows students to gain advanced placement and college credits, and to enroll as sophomores at many universities.  Approximately 91% of the students participate in pre-IB and IB courses.  Ninety-five percent of King's graduates are college bound. The school promotes positive values in a culturally-diverse setting. King students are of many and varied interests, the heart of which is motiviation to compete, achieve, and excel academically.  The quality academic program is only matched by the historic charm and aesthetic beauty of the building that houses it.

In the spirit of the goals and missions of the school and International Baccalaureate Organization, Rufus King students are expected to be well-rounded young people, who can communicate effectively and express themselves creatively and artistically.  Rufus King's curricular and extra-curricular accomplishments indicate that students are putting their talents and skills to good use...

Forensics:  With a national and state championship titles, our speech and debate team ranks among one of the most recognized in the country, and is complemented by an academic honorary society, the National Forensic League (NFL).  Alum Adam Jacobi IB '95 has directed the program since 1997, and is a leader in the forensic community, including through service with the U.S. State Department's International Debate Exchange Program in 2003.

Music:  Jeffrey Durr is responsible for the marching band, the 120-piece concert band, the orchestra with 50 string players, the 20-piece jazz ensemble, and our new and successful city champion drumline.  Michael Barna directs all choral activities with a group of close to 100 members.  In 2004, 43 musicians performed at the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) competition.  Principal Andrew Meuler is current board president of the WSMA.

Mathematics:  Wanda Bussey chairs the math department and serves as an examiner and workshop instructor for the International Baccalaureate Organization.  Its curriculum provides for the needs of every student from the most gifted -- who can take as many as seven years of math -- to the least mathematical, who are expected to take four years, ending with Transition to College Math.  The competition Math Track team has a long and distinguished record of wins at local, state and national levels.

Science:  Rufus King has entered a 15-member team in the Wisconsin Science Olympiad since its beginning in 1985.  It won first place in 1994, advancing to the national competition where it placed thirteenth in the U.S.  In 2001, the team placed ninth in the state.  The National Science Bowl team finished fourth in the nation in 1994.  Rufus King regularly enters a variety of local and national science and engineering competitions, earning accolades regularly.

Chess:  The King Chess Team, coached by Dave Speaker, belongs to the Metro Milwaukee Chess League in which it competes from October through March.  It also competes in the Metro Conference Tournament held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee each February.  In 2001, it went to Louisville, KY for the U.S. Chess Federation nationals. 

Art:  King students have entered work and won prizes in the Wisconsin Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition, the Photographic Society of America Awards Competition, and Rainbow Summer Poster Competition.  Richard Ciganek chairs the Art Department.

Academic Competitions:  With various trophy-winning excursions in Quizbowl, Academic Decathlon and LifeSmarts, Rufus King students have shown their prowess in both trivial knowledge and practical application of that information.

Athletics

In addition to a nationally-ranked Boys' Basketball team and large Track and Wrestling squads, Rufus King is host to a score of athletic teams, many of whom have won state championships:

• Boys' Cross-Country:  1942
• Boys' Track:  1955
• Wrestling:  1959
• Boys' Basketball:  1984, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2004
• Girls' Track:  1989, 2000, 2001, 2002

Of course, our athletic teams have also won numerous city conference championships.  Drop by the gymnasium to see the banners listing those achievements.  Our athletes are constantly recognized for their high academic achievement, as well as good works in the community.