9839 Renton Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98118

This school led me to leave public schools in seattle entirely. I had twins in this school in 2021-22. The teachers were amazing- visited our home multiple times to drop off materials during the pandemic, and were dedicated, talented, fun and caring. During the 2022 year one of my twins was pulled into a bathroom, and held behind the arms while another student punched him. The incident was investigated and it was found to be an assault. My child is white and the other students were black. I am aware of the high number of suspensions for students of color and didn’t want to see these two suspended, as upset as I was- I wanted to discuss with their parents and come to an understanding. All I asked was my child to be removed from the classroom with these two boys so as to defuse the situation, and be moved into a class with his brother.The principal, Ms. Rasmussen, refused. We spent over a month trying to get my child moved and she would not budge. I complained to the district. I wrote to a “neutral board” for SPS that just sides with the principal no matter what. I considered getting a lawyer. I tried to reason that I didn’t care what punishment they deemed appropriate- I just wanted my child to be able to learn in a class without sitting next to the two boys that assaulted him. The other teachers and even the counselor were horrified and at a loss to why we couldn’t move classrooms.After this experience, I was done with public schools, which broke my heart. I had volunteered with the school, supported the staff, donated money-… but in the end parents here have no power to protect their children from harm. At one point the principal told me “your son told the boys it was ok to punch him, so it’s a bit his fault too..” I told her my son was scared to death and embarrassed, which is so often the case with victims trying to make sense of situations. I have since heard there is a new principal- so that is excellent. I do not know the new principal but I have renewed hope for the school and the students after new leadership.

I graduated from RB and have gone on to college and graduated with my degree. I have greatly benefitted from my experience at RB and would not be the person I am today or would have accomplished everything I have if it wasn’t for the real life training and development of the students, staff, coaches, volunteers & community partners. Due to collective impact of these RB stakeholders, I’ve been able to:- earn a 5-year-athletic scholarship - graduate from college w/ my degree- play professional sports - win championships at collegiate and professional level- positively impact communities across the country through philanthropy and community service - have an amazing national network of amazing people - proud spouse and parent to four future Vikings - collegiate all-time record holder If you’re lucky enough to be a student at RB, you won’t regret it. RB graduates finish with the kind of GRIT that prepares you for everything that life can throw at you. GO Viks!

I have a fellow parent who has seven children in different Seattle Schools and warned me about this school - her son was assaulted several years ago due to lack of security (open back door) and the principal/staff didn't take any responsibility over it. I thought well, that was a few years ago - things should be better. But the second warning was when I went to Orientation and I asked another parent how the environment is because she had a daughter that already graduated from the school. She said, "It's a good school but tell your child to find good friends to hang out with and make sure they don't go to the bathroom alone and to have each other's back".I still gave it a shot and had my daughter attend. Within the first week, she got on the wrong school bus and the drivers said they didn't let anyone on that wasn't authorized. She went missing for an hour. I went to the front desk and the lady rudely said, "I'm off the clock...but I guess I can make an announcement". Then left. I ran to all the classrooms because all the phone numbers provided to me were phones to the main office. I begged a teacher for the principal's cell phone or any teacher's cell number but he didn't seem to care and said I needed to check around because she's probably around. In the end, thankfully she found her way home, but I put in a complaint with the Ombudsman and nothing came of that. In fact, the principal at the time re-labeled my email from "my daughter's disappearance after school" to "my daughter taking the wrong bus". Complete gaslighting and couldn't even take time to meet with me although I tried to be civil and ask for a process change with communication.On top of that, the teachers had Curriculum Night and my husband said they didn't even introduce themselves to him. It was a "student-led" curriculum night and he learned nothing except she showed the classrooms. Unbelievably lazy teachers and horrible staff, including a very incompetent principal. I pulled her out of the school mid-semester and put her in charter school out of desperation. Until they turn around this school and change the culture, steer clear.