Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year

July 2026

Dear Ritenour High School Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year!

It is with tremendous excitement, gratitude and pride that I welcome you to a new school year as the principal of Ritenour High School. For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as principal of Ritenour Middle School, and I am honored to continue serving the students, families and community of Ritenour in this new role.

As I have spent time meeting students, staff and families throughout the summer, one thing has become clear: every person who walks through our doors has a unique story, individual strengths and incredible potential. That belief has inspired our theme for the 2026–2027 school year: Success in Every Story.

At Ritenour High School, we know that success does not look the same for every student. For some, success may mean earning college credit, joining the workforce, serving in the military, excelling in athletics or activities, improving attendance, overcoming personal challenges or reaching academic goals they once thought were out of reach. Every student's journey is different, and every story matters. At Ritenour High School, we remain committed to ensuring every student graduates prepared for their next step, whether that path includes employment, enlistment, enrollment in a postsecondary institution or another meaningful opportunity. 

Our commitment is to help each student discover their strengths, pursue their passions and build a future filled with opportunity. We will continue to focus on academic excellence, strong relationships, student engagement, safety and creating a culture where every student feels seen, valued, challenged and supported.

One of the things I am most excited about is continuing to build meaningful relationships with our students and families. I believe schools are at their best when students know they belong, when families feel connected and when adults work together to support every child. Throughout the year, I look forward to being present in classrooms, attending activities and events, and getting to know the many stories that make Ritenour High School such a special place.

I am also excited to share a few leadership updates. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Tamara Taliaferro-Thomas as one of our assistant principals. Mrs. Taliaferro-Thomas formerly served as an instructional coach in our building, so she already has deep relationships within the school community. She joins an outstanding administrative team committed to supporting students and staff at the highest level. We are also excited to continue working alongside Mr. Greg Jones in his new role as associate principal. In this position, Mr. Jones will provide support across all grade levels and help lead important schoolwide initiatives that strengthen the student experience at Ritenour High School.

I am also grateful that Mr. Michael Steven Thomas, who served as dean of students at Ritenour Middle School, has joined me at Ritenour High School as our dean of students. Mr. Thomas has a deep commitment to building positive relationships with students and families, and I know he will be an incredible asset to our high school community. I am excited to continue partnering with him as we work to ensure every student feels supported, connected, and successful.

The first day of school is Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, and we cannot wait to welcome our students back to campus.

School hours are 8:05 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The building opens for breakfast at 7:35 a.m. each day.

One of our primary areas of focus this year will continue to be student attendance. Simply put, students cannot fully benefit from the opportunities available at Ritenour High School if they are not present.

Research consistently shows that attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success, graduation, and postsecondary readiness. Beyond academics, attendance helps students build relationships, participate in activities, access support systems and remain connected to our school community.

As part of our continued commitment to student success, we will maintain our 90/90 attendance expectation. Students are expected to maintain at least a 90% attendance rate to remain eligible for extracurricular activities and athletics. This expectation applies both to the current semester and to the previous 90 school days. Students who fall below this threshold will receive support through an attendance improvement plan with clearly defined goals designed to help them get back on track and regain eligibility.

Our goal is not simply to enforce attendance expectations, but to partner with families to remove barriers, provide support, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. Every day matters, and every student's presence contributes to their story of success.

If your child will be absent, please call our attendance line to report the absence:

• 9th Grade – (314) 493-6119
• 10th Grade – (314) 493-6120
• 11th Grade – (314) 493-6121
• 12th Grade – (314) 493-6122

Students with multiple unreported absences may receive outreach from our School Wellness Team, which includes counselors, social workers, administrators, interventionists and support staff. Our goal is to work alongside families to ensure every student is present, prepared, and supported every day.

As we begin this school year together, I want to thank you for the trust you place in us every day. Strong schools are built through strong partnerships among students, families, staff, and the community. I am excited to work alongside you as we support every student in writing their own success story.

The future is bright at Ritenour High School, and I cannot wait to see all that our students accomplish this year. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (314) 493-6105 or reach out to any member of our administrative team below. Together, we will celebrate growth, overcome challenges, and ensure there is truly success in every story.

Thank you for your partnership and support.

With gratitude,

Dr. Angela Chatman
Principal
chatmana@ritenourschools.org

Mr. Greg Jones
Associate Principal
jonesg@ritenourschools.org

Dr. Austin Ferguson
Assistant Principal – 9th Grade
fergusona@ritenourschools.org

Mrs. Tamara Taliaferro-Thomas
Assistant Principal – 10th Grade
taliaferrothomast@ritenourschools.org

Ms. Crystal Spearman
Assistant Principal – 11th Grade
spearmanc@ritenourschools.org

Dr. Declan FitzPatrick
Assistant Principal – 12th Grade
fitzpatrickd@ritenourschools.org

Mr. Nathan Dwyer
Area Coordinator for Special School District
dwyern@ritenourschools.org

Mr. Michael Steven Thomas
Dean of Students
thomasm@ritenourschools.org