Inspired by the The RCA House System, we implement a dynamic, exciting and proven way to create a positive climate and culture for students and staff. Using the RCA’s methods, we are confidently implementing processes that build character, relationships and school spirit.

The climate and culture of a school should ignite a passion for learning, create a sense of belonging, build relationships and rapport, provide support and encouragement, reflect high expectations for student behavior, promote parental involvement, and ensure a safe, secure environment for all. The House System is designed to promote and accomplish all of these components.

School-Wide Goals

Student Goals

House History

Altruismo traces its origins to the rainforests of the Amazon, where a group of powerful Brazilians were given the name because of the Portuguese meaning behind it: “the Givers.” This special group is known for striking a balance between bold strength and altruistic giving — a team that knows that real power comes not from looking out for yourself but from empowering others. They care deeply about lifting others up, but they also maintain a fiercely competitive spirit and pride.

Each house also identifies a saint that embodies the characteristics of that house. Altruismo's saint is St. Nicholas. He was a bishop of Myra, and is known for his generosity to the poor, especially his kind deeds for children. He helped people in need, and did it graciously. St. Nicholas never wanted recognition for his generosity.

Amistad is the House that originates from Mexico. A group of individuals that are quiet but powerful, they are known most for their kindness of heart. This is why, in the language of their ancestry, their name means “friendship.” Incoming members are often a mix of extremes — our students can be extremely intelligent, creative, friendly, and competitive; The House takes great inspiration from its symbolic animal, the peacock, and the leaders always remind the members of this saying: “Once the peacock finds its feathers, it discovers who it really is.” The encouragement is for each student to find his or her own feathers and discover their brilliance. While students may enter timidly, they learn to become brave as they find their true selves.

St. John the Apostle is honored by Amistad as the patron saint of friendship, love and loyalty. He was sent by Jesus to prepare for The Last Supper. Jesus asked John to look after his mother, Mary, after his death. John was the only one of the 12 apostles who did not abandon Jesus as he died on the cross.

Isibindi is a tight-knit group of individuals, like a pride of African lions, where family means everything. The House’s symbolic animals, the mute swan and the lion, serve to empower incoming members. While new students might be quiet or shy at first, the longer that they are in the House, the more they begin to display the characteristics of strength and bravery. In Zulu, Isibindi means “courage.” The dichotomy of sharing symbolic animals between the gentle and beautiful swan and the proud and courageous lion is what makes Isibindi so unique. It is a House that inherits the legend and influence of both Shaka Zulu as well as Nelson Mandela. It is a House that knows when to be strategic and creative, or when to pull back and be reserved, but also when to go full force with power and strength. This is why Isibindi welcomes creative and quiet kids and turns them into leaders over time. They learn that, like the mute swan, their quiet creativity can be harnessed to speak volumes in its own way.

Isibindi looks up to St. Joan of Arc who inspired the transformation of courage, heart, and holiness among military leaders, soldiers, and observers. Even though she was a young female with little military training, she was courageous and commanded respect. She impressed people with her goodness and purity.

Rêveur is a royal House whose name in French means “dreamers” or “idealists” — because the members who fill this group are students filled with freedom and wild abandon who recognize their dreams and will let nothing stand in the way of achieving them. This can be seen in the unicorn, which is on the center of the House’s crest, a powerful creature who is almost impossible to tame. Similarly, the House of Rêveur is a House of passion. Rêveur is the natural rival of Altruismo, because in the early days of the House Championships, Altruismo beat Rêveur by a single point, and they held a winning streak over them for three years. At RCA, in 2011-2012 school year, the wheel did not sort very many students into Rêveur, and so it became the smallest of the four Houses. But the staff House Leader, Ron Clark, rallied the students together and told them: “This year, because our House is smaller, we each have to be bigger. We each have to multiply ourselves this year!” And that was the year that Rêveur, despite being the smallest House, went on to win its first championship. This legend is now passed down to remind students that the size of the House is not as important as the size of the hearts and efforts of its members.

There was once a wild wolf that was scaring the people of a small Italian town. No one could tame the wild wolf. When St. Francis heard this, he decided to go out and find the wild wolf. Upon meeting the wolf, St. Francis made the sign of the cross and told the wolf to stop scaring the town. Immediately, the wolf listened and never scared the people of the town again. This story shows that St. Francis is known for his passion and determination, much like the members of House Reveur.