REALMS’ mission, guiding values, and educational philosophy are based specifically on engaging students in learning expeditions that are based around compelling topics, and that are rigorous in their academic expectations. These learning expeditions are taught using instructional practices grounded in active pedagogy, and through frequent cooperative group work. In addition to active learning and high expectations, students at REALMS participate often in fieldwork where they venture outside the classroom to learn, often on extended and multi-night trips. REALMS seeks out students who will be motivated and engaged by this kind of learning environment.
 
Students come to REALMS with many different learning styles, backgrounds, academic levels, and talents. All are welcome. REALMS does not seek out students with specific talents or abilities in its enrollment process. Rather, REALMS seeks to build a student body that celebrates the diversity found in the middle school population in Bend as a whole, many of whom may never have reached their fullest potential in a more traditional school setting.  Students who are successful at REALMS:

• like challenges, both academic and personal
• work and learn well in cooperative groups with their classmates
• thrive in an “active learning” setting
• learn best through doing and participating
• enjoy learning outdoors, including extended multi-day trips
• like to make connections between school projects and the “real” world
• want to make a difference in their community
• benefit from a small school setting  
• have potential that may remain untapped in a larger and more traditional school setting

We encourage parents to make a well-informed decision about which educational environment is best for their student. REALMS is a unique educational opportunity that challenges students to be fully involved in the learning process. For some students, this active learning approach is exactly what they need in order to reach their full potential, however it is not necessarily a perfect fit for all students. The list below describes the
characteristics that describe successful REALMS students.  
 
REALMS may not give enrollment priority to any individual student unless that student is a sibling of a current REALMS student.