Back to School

Welcome! Our back-to-school page is designed to help new and returning RE families prepare for the 2023-24 school year by aggregating information on topics ranging from textbooks to school forms to student orientation. For those of you who have just joined the RE community, we are thrilled to have you and know you will love your time at Ransom Everglades. Please return to this page throughout the summer; it will be updated as new information becomes available.

List of 19 items.

  • Summer at RE

    Summer at RE includes the return of our highly regarded Camp by the Bay for children entering kindergarten through 5th grades as well as a host of other opportunities for summer fun, exploration and learning for younger children and those in middle and high school. Learn more about and find registration forms on the Summer Programs web page, and email us with any questions.
  • Technology Information / Laptops

    As part of the one-to-one laptop program, all students are expected to turn in the school-issued academic laptop after completing their last academic commitment for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students will receive instructions before the end of the year. These laptops will be reviewed, repaired and updated during the summer to return them in  “like new” condition for the fall. Refurbished laptops will be distributed to returning Ransom Everglades students on the first day of school. Students with summer academic commitments requiring a laptop may receive a loaner laptop when they turn in their school-issued laptop for refurbishment; these students should contact the Technology Services Department in advance by completing this form before May 7, 2023, so that the loaner laptop is prepared properly and on time.
     
    New students in middle school will receive their laptops at the new student technology orientation session on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. New students in upper school will receive their laptops on the first day of school. More details will be provided.
     
    The Technology Services Department is open during the summer and ready to assist our students and parents. Please email REsolve@ransomeverglades.org with requests for technical assistance. Our summer support hours are 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Class Schedules

    In late June, class deans will share with upper school students the courses in which they have been enrolled (their detailed daily schedules will be provided closer to the start of the school year). The upper school class deans will be available intermittently throughout the summer to work with students on any scheduling issues they might have after receiving their class lists. Instructions for contacting the deans will be included with distributions of the class lists.
     
    Middle school students will receive their daily schedules on or shortly before the first day of classes.
  • School Forms (due August 1)

    Online school forms are available on myCOMPASS (new families have already received instructions from Chief Technology Officer Linda Lawrence about accessing myCOMPASS).

    At your earliest convenience, please complete the forms for each of your children, updating contact, emergency and medical information, and giving or declining permissions for certain school activities. Find instructions here.

    The school forms must be submitted by August 1 in order for students to begin the school year smoothly and start classes on August 23. Students will not be permitted to access technology, attend classes or participate in any co- or extra-curricular activities until all of their school forms have been completed and submitted. To ensure the safety of our students, this policy will be strictly enforced. If you have difficulty accessing the forms, please email our Technology Services Department at REsolve@ransomeverglades.org.
  • Textbooks

    Book ordering and distribution for most required books will be through MBS Direct, our online book distributor. MBS Direct offers families several options for most books, including purchasing or renting them, and including new, used, and electronic options as they are available by title. This range of options allows families to make decisions based on cost and student preference.

    The MBS site will be open for ordering textbooks for the 2023-24 academic year on July 17, 2023. Place your orders early to ensure that you have the best number of options for purchasing books and that your order will arrive before school begins. (Free shipping is offered through July 30, 2023.) Distribution of trade paperback books, typically used in English classes, and special titles, such as math textbooks authored by our own faculty members, certain course packs and digital content are managed directly by the RE Store. You will receive details and specific instructions for ordering books in mid-July. 

    The Book and Online Stores staff is available to assist with this process; feel free to contact the RE Store if you have questions.

    A book buyback will take place on both campuses from May 30 to June 2. Hours are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the middle school, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the upper school. Early book drop for seniors will take place May 15-16 at the upper school from 3-4 p.m. Please email REPA with any questions. 
  • Summer Reading

  • Middle School Uniform

    Middle school students must follow the dress code described in the Student Handbook, as summarized below. Uniforms for middle school students must be purchased at one of our two vendors: 1) The Dennis Uniform Store, 8807 SW 132 Street, Miami, or 2) online from Lands’ End, using school number 900181561.
     
    Please note that skirts have been removed from the middle school uniform.
     
    Clothing must fit appropriately and be in good repair (no holes, rips or tears) and should completely cover one’s shoulders, chest, torso, back and buttocks at all times, whether one is sitting, standing, bending, or climbing stairs. All hemlines must be at least fingertip length with the arms extended at one's sides.
     
    Tops: Polo shirts must be purchased from approved vendors and include the Ransom Everglades logo. Shirts must be long enough to cover the torso; midriff may not be exposed at any time. Shirts must not fit too tightly.
     
    Bottoms: Only appropriately fitting, solid-colored shorts, pants, capris or skorts purchased from approved vendors are acceptable. Shorts must be no more than four inches from the top of the knee, be embroidered with the RE logo, and have a hem. Shorts may not be hemmed, folded, rolled, or cuffed to more than four inches from the top of the knee. Our vendors offer a variety of sizes to suit different heights and body shapes. 

    PE uniforms are distributed during physical education classes after the start of the school year.
  • Upper School Dress Code

    The school expects students to use common sense and conservative judgment in following these guidelines for attire and grooming during the school day. Clothing must fit appropriately and be in good repair (no holes, rips or tears) at all times, whether one is sitting, standing, bending, or climbing stairs, and should completely cover one’s shoulders, chest, torso, back and buttocks. Material that is transparent or see-through is not permitted.

    • Shirts and blouses: Polo-style collared shirts with two or three buttons and an optional logo on the chest or sleeve, appropriately buttoned oxford shirts, and blouses are acceptable. Flannel, fully zippered, and hooded shirts are not permitted. T-shirts with RE logos or symbols may be worn on Fridays. All shirts and blouses must have sleeves.
    • Shorts: Only appropriately fitting Bermuda-style shorts, cargo-style shorts or capris, long enough to reach at least the tip of the thumb when the arms hang straight down alongside of the hips, are acceptable. An acceptable example is 5- or 7-inch chinos shorts found at a wide variety of retailers and uniform stores.
    • Pants: Only Khaki-style or dress pants, or cotton denim jeans, worn at or above the hips, are acceptable.
    • Skirts/Dresses: Only dresses that cover the shoulders, have a collar, and are appropriate for an academic environment are acceptable. Skirt length must be equal to or extend beyond the tip of the fingers when the arms hang straight down alongside of the hips. Skirts and dresses may not have slits; a kick pleat is acceptable. T-shirt, scoop-neck, low-cut, form-fitting, or backless dresses may not be worn.
    • Footwear: Flip-flops and other beach shoes are not allowed.
    • Outerwear: Sweatshirts, jackets and sweaters may only be worn with a turtleneck or visible collared shirt underneath.
    • Hats: Hats and hoods are allowed outdoors only.

    Professional or business attire is required on special assembly days. Appropriate examples of this attire are:
    • Business suits, sport coats and/or vests.
    • Skirts or dresses that do not have a slit; a kick pleat is acceptable.
    • Blouses or dresses that are appropriate for an academic environment, cover the shoulders, and are not scoop-neck, low-cut, or form-fitting.
    • Oxford dress shirts.
    • Dress slacks.
    • Ties or bow ties.
    • Shoes must be dressy: loafers, closed flats, closed-toed shoes that can be tied or high heels.
    • The following are prohibited: bare midriffs, low-cut tops, shrugs, shawls, visible undergarments, transparent clothing, strapless, halter tops, “rompers,” beach flip-flops and open-toed sandals.

    PE attire
    , which can be purchased in the RE Store, must be worn during physical education classes. During the swimming rotation, a one-piece bathing suite or swim trunks are acceptable attire.

    Grooming: All students are expected to be neat and clean in personal appearance. Jewelry should compliment and not distract from the dress code. Unless the jewelry is significant to the culture or religion of the student, jewelry is expected to be simple in nature.

    Athletic Game Days/Competition Days/Performance Days: On days of home games, performances, and/or other competitions, student-athletes / performers / competitors are encouraged to help promote school spirit for their teams by wearing the team / ensemble-approved attire during the academic day. Sweats and warm-ups are not permitted during classes.
  • Bus Service

    Ransom Everglades School offers bus service to and from pick-up/drop-off locations in Miami Beach, Key Biscayne / Brickell and Pinecrest / Coral Gables. The service is provided to and from both campuses by Franmar Bus Company.

    Email Daniel Perez or call 305 460 8895 with any questions regarding bus service.
  • School ID / Yearbook Photos

    School photos will be taken during the first week of school; we will provide more information at a later date.
  • School-Year Calendar

    We encourage you to use this calendar as you make plans for next year. As always, we request that families plan vacations, college visits, medical and other appointments, and other commitments at times that do not require students to miss classes.

    Key dates for parents next fall include Middle School Back-to-School Night on August 31 and Upper School Back-to-School Night on September 7, and parent conference days on October 20 and 23. We will share more details with you in the fall about how to schedule the conferences.
  • Detailed School Calendar of Events

    The school calendar is very busy, and events are being added all the time.

    For more details on events or for dates of events not listed on this page, please consult the school calendar in myCOMPASS or the events calendar on the school website if you do not have access to myCOMPASS.
  • Sports Preseason Information

    Several upper school fall sports hold preseason practices before classes begin. (The start dates of all upper school fall sports are listed below.) Students interested in participating in football, girls’ volleyball, cross country, golf or swimming should plan to have concluded their vacations and other summer activities in advance of their sport’s preseason so they can attend all preseason activities. 
     
    We plan to share information about middle school sports in the summer; please note that no middle school teams will commence practice before the first day of school on August 23.
     
    Families of students interested in middle school or upper school fall sports should check this web page throughout the summer for the most current information on start dates and other issues.

    Note that all required online school forms and FHSAA athletic participation forms must be submitted prior to tryouts or the fall preseason start dates listed below (or by August 1 for winter and spring sports) for students to participate in tryouts or practices.
     
    Upper School Sports Preseason Start Dates, Fall Season 2023
    Crew: August 24
    Cross Country: August 7
    Football: July 31
    Golf: August 22
    Sailing: August 24
    Swimming: August 14
    Girls’ Varsity Volleyball: July 31
     
    Middle school sports will start no earlier than August 23.

    For more information, contact athletics@ransomeverglades.org.
  • Performing Arts Schedule (tentative)

    Fall Semester 2023 (tentative)

    MS Fall Play Auditions:September 5-6 at 3:30 p.m.
    US Fall Play Auditions:September 5-6 at 3:30 p.m.
    MS Band Fall Recital:October 12 at 7:30 p.m.
    US Fall Play:October 25-27 at 7:30 p.m.
    MS Fall Play:November 8-10 at 7:30 p.m.
    MS Strings Recital:November 16 at 7:30 p.m.
    US Jazz/Guitar Concert:November 30 at 7:30 p.m.
    MS Band Winter Concert:December 5 at 7:30 p.m.
    US Band, Orchestra, Choir Holiday Concert:
    December 15 at 7:30 p.m.


    Please consult the school calendar in myCOMPASS for additional dates of auditions and performances.
  • Parent Volunteers Needed

    ​Please ​fill out the Parent Volunteer Opportunities interest form to find out how you can contribute to the Ransom Everglades Parents' Association (REPA), The Fund for RE and other opportunities. ​​For more information about REPA, visit the REPA resource page on the myCOMPASS resource board. For more information about The Fund for RE, email Melissa Bonafonte, Director of The Fund for RE.
  • Contact Information and Directions

  • Course of Study

    Please find a detailed look at our curriculum and course offerings for 2023-24 by reviewing our Course of Study.
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Ransom Everglades School is an inclusive community that welcomes and benefits from diverse experiences and perspectives. Our students and faculty embrace multiculturalism and appreciate the unique potential of each individual. During their time at RE, everyone benefits from the contributions of each member, while honing skills and sensitivities that prepare them to excel and lead in a global community. Read more about diversity, equity and inclusion at RE.
  • Student Clubs and Activities

    Find the lists of clubs, organizations and activities on the Clubs and Activities web page.
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.