RICKARDS HIGH SCHOOL - This is the High School of Our Tallahassee Home

James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida. Rickards was ranked 49th inNewsweek's list of 1,000 top high schools in 2009,^[1] due to the high number of AP and IB exams taken by its students. As of 2009, 1249 pupils were enrolled.^[2]

Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.

The school's mascot, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the term redskin and its racial connotations. The school colors are blue and gold.

Rickards is notable for its award-winning Mu Alpha Theta and National Junior Classical League teams, as well as its marching band, which is heavily influenced by Florida A&M University's Marching "100" under the direction of Mr. Quincy Griffin.

Alumni Village, the designated Florida State University housing unit for FSU students with children, is zoned to Rickards High School.^[3][4][5]