Ruth Barker Middle School

Several teams across the building had the opportunity to visit the J.B and Johnelle Hunt Nature Center this week. Thanks to a grant secured by Mrs. Jackson and a partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, students enjoyed hands-on learning through a variety of engaging indoor and outdoor activities!

Congrats to Kaylee for winning the “create your own burger” competition among 5th grade students. We can’t wait to try her creation called the Slamwich!

Through enrichment opportunities, students take their interests and learning even further. Several 5th graders became engineers as they built and drove robots to complete challenges—taking teamwork and problem solving to the next level!

Great job to our teams who competed in a friendly robotics competition at Old High Middle School today—it was a great way to round out the season! Team 53295B earned a Judges’ Award for their interviews and teamwork and finished 4th overall. Way to go, RBMS!

On Wednesday, the 6th grade students proudly shared their passion projects with families and community members. For many, this was their first experience completing an independent project of this kind, and their excitement was evident. Taking ownership of their learning helped each student grow as a thinker, communicator, collaborator, self-manager, and researcher.

On Wednesday, the 6th grade students proudly shared their passion projects with families and community members. For many, this was their first experience completing an independent project of this kind, and their excitement was evident. Taking ownership of their learning helped each student grow as a thinker, communicator, collaborator, self-manager, and researcher.

A big thank you to our bus drivers for the care and dedication they show our students every day! RBMS StuCo and PTO teamed up to create goodie bags and posters to show just how much we appreciate them. We’re grateful for the role they play in making each school day start and end safely.

Yearbook deadlines are approaching soon! Buy your 6th grade dedication ad today at yearbookforever.com!

It’s no lie that we love our bus drivers! They show up early, stay patient on the long days, and make sure our students get to and from school safely. We’re grateful for the important role they play in our school community!

Today we recognized students who demonstrate strong communication skills. From speaking multiple languages, to participating in the Amazing Shake, to listening and communicating thoughtfully with peers and teachers, these students show how powerful effective communication can be! Way to go!

We are so excited to share that Ms. Shelby King has been named RBMS Teacher of the Year!
If you know Ms. King, you know how much heart she brings to our school and her classroom every single day. She builds genuine relationships with students, creates a classroom where everyone feels safe and seen, and truly believes in each student’s potential. Her commitment and passion to see and celebrate the best in everyone is something to be admired.
This honor is so well deserved, and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate her and the incredible impact she makes at RBMS!

Today our students connected with a variety of non-profit organizations and community groups to ask thoughtful questions about their passion projects. Through meaningful conversations, they’re learning that their ideas have the potential to create real change here in Bentonville. We are excited to see the direction their projects take and the impact they continue to make as their ideas come to life!

Several RBMS students competed in the MathCounts competition this weekend at the University of Arkansas! With more than 250 students in grades 6–8 from across Northwest Arkansas, we are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication our students showed. We are especially excited to announce that one of our 6th graders has qualified to advance to the state competition this spring. Way to go!

Sixth grade students have been working diligently on their passion projects this semester. Through research, interviews, and collaboration with local businesses and mentors, they are learning how to turn their interests into meaningful ideas, solve real-world problems, and share their learning with purpose and confidence.

Today we celebrated students who show what it means to be open-minded--listening to others' perspectives without judgement, trying new things, and stepping outside of our comfort zones. We were grateful to hear words of advice from Mrs. Schriner from @the.international.school, who reminded us how powerful open-mindedness can be!

Last Friday our students put their Spanish skills into action by creating Valentine’s messages for others. Through our IB journey, learning another language gives students the opportunity to connect, communicate, and grow as open-minded global learners.

Join us for What’s Next Night on February 9th from 5-6pm.

Last week, we celebrated students who lead with balance and strong principles! We were also inspired by students from the BHS IB Diploma Programme who shared powerful words of wisdom about the importance of original thought. Your ideas matter, your voice matters, and sharing them is absolutely something to be celebrated!

Cultural Connections Night was a wonderful celebration of the cultures represented at Ruth Barker Middle School. Our students proudly represent 23 countries and speak between 22–25 languages, making our school a truly vibrant and diverse community!

In the IB Middle Years Programme, students learn as inquirers—exploring their own questions, building understanding, and making meaningful connections to the world around them.

We are proud to be part of the International Baccalaureate continuum within Bentonville Public Schools, supporting curious, thoughtful learners every step of the way.