Principal Welcome

Greetings, from beautiful Bay County, Florida!
I'm Dr. Todd Mitchell, and it's my honor to serve as the proud principal of Rutherford High School, home of thevRams. Since 2009, I've had the privilege of teaching and leading in this incredible community, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to a school that is as unique as it is inspiring.

At Rutherford, we serve students in grades 6 through 12, offering both a full middle school program and a traditional high school experience, all under one roof. This structure allows us to build long-lasting relationships, support smooth academic transitions, and provide a cohesive, student-centered learning journey from sixth grade through graduation.

We are a school that believes in cultivating a strong sense of belonging, community, and purpose. Whether you're new to Bay County or exploring your school choice options, we invite you to discover all that Rutherford has to offer. We are particularly proud to serve our military families stationed at nearby Tyndall Air Force Base or those who serve the Naval Surface Warfare Center. We take pride in being a school that supports and honors your service by providing a stable, rigorous, and caring academic home for your children. As a Purple Star School and with many of our staff members having military ties themselves, we understand the needs of mobile families and are committed to providing consistency and excellence throughout your student's educational journey.

Our campus offers a wide variety of academic pathways tailored to students' goals and interests. From Career & Technical Education (CTE) to Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, and Honors-level courses, we are committed to academic excellence. We're also proud to be home to Bay County's only International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. This includes both the IB Diploma Program, designed to cultivate globally minded, college-ready scholars, and the IB Career-related Program (CP), which equips students with practical, future-ready skills aligned to their career interests and university ambitions.

The International Baccalaureate Program is especially well-suited for our military-connected families. As a globally recognized academic model offered in more than 150 countries, IB provides a smooth transition for students transferring from one duty station to another. Its rigorous, inquiry-based framework supports continuity in education, helping students stay on track no matter where military service takes your family.

Rutherford students may pursue in-demand career training in areas like Digital Design, Construction & Welding, Culinary Arts, Agriscience, and AFJROTC, all of which may be linked to our IB Career Programme. These unique combinations create powerful opportunities for students to graduate ready to thrive in college, career, and life.

Beyond academics, we believe school should be a place of connection and joy. That's why we offer a robust selection of extra- and co-curricular programs, including theatre, band, choir, student government, service clubs, and competitive athletics at the middle and high school level.

If you're looking for a school that values relationships, honors your child's individuality, and prepares them for a bright future, Rutherford is the place. We warmly invite you to visit our campus, meet our outstanding educators, and see firsthand what it means to be part of the RAM family.

Call us at 850-767-4500 to schedule your tour. We can't wait to meet you.
And as Always,
Go Rams!

R. Todd Mitchell, Principal