Ridge View Scholars take courses at the honors and Advanced Placement levels in all core subjects, and compile an Academy portfolio.  Students remain together as a cohort throughout the four years of high school.  The Scholars Academy concentrates on building the critical thinking, reading and writing skills that are essential to successful admission to competitive colleges and universities.

The Ridge View Scholars Academy offers elective advanced seminar courses, an Annual Study Tour, and opportunities for service learning and contributing to the Ridge View community. A Senior Research Paper produced as a result of the Senior Seminar is the capstone achievement of the Scholars Academy. The paper's subject matter reflects the interests of the individual student and is produced with the support and guidance of a mentor selected from the Ridge View faculty or an approved community resource. Upon completion of the project, the Senior Paper will be presented to a committee for evaluation. A competitive selection process will designate students invited to publicly present their work at the Ridge View Scholars Senior Symposium.

Eighth grade students zoned for Ridge View are invited to apply for enrollment based upon interest in the program during January and February and are selected on the basis of their academic record, standardized test scores, an interview, and a sample of their critical writing. All prospective students must have completed Algebra I by the end of the eighth grade.  Scholars and parents sign a yearly contract that establishes the goals and requirements for each student, and signifies the student’s interest in pursuing this special educational opportunity.  Students receive priority registration to ensure required courses are available. A mentoring and tutoring service is provided by upper class Ridge View Scholars to facilitate successful completion of the Academy’s curriculum and to instill the sense of community vital to the successful creation of a small learning community.

Students successfully completing all requirements will have their participation indicated on their transcripts, receive a special diploma at a Ridge View Scholars Academy recognition ceremony, and be designated as Ridge View Scholars at graduation. Ridge View Scholars Academy courses are listed within the appropriate department and specialized courses appear below.

The Ridge View Scholars Academy program will be implemented beginning with the Freshman class of 2005-2006. Students currently members of the Ridge View Honors School remain subject to its provisions and requirements, but will also become members of the Ridge View Scholars Academy.