The RPM (Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing) program is a collaborative effort between the Richmond County School System and Textron Specialized Vehicles. Our goal is to promote high school graduation while preparing students with essential soft skills and hands-on manufacturing experience. Located at 3601 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, GA 30906, RPM offers a unique blend of classroom learning and daily work-based learning.

Students in the RPM program follow a specialized schedule: They attend school for four hours and work on the manufacturing floor for another four hours each day. The program's academic portion is structured with a block schedule, allowing students to take no more than four courses per quarter, each lasting two hours. This approach ensures that students can focus on their studies while gaining valuable work experience.

As we enter the 2025 school year, RPM celebrates nine years of success, with over 300 graduates and more than 70% of students being offered full-time employment with Textron Specialized Vehicles after graduation. This track record of success should inspire hope and confidence in the potential of the RPM program students. RPM class sizes are intentionally kept small, typically with fewer than 25 students per class. This small-group setting enables teachers to provide individualized and small-group instruction regularly, ensuring that each student receives the support they need to succeed.

To participate in RPM, students must:

• Be residents of Richmond County
• Attend a Richmond County School System high school
• Be eligible for employment in the United States of America

RPM is committed to helping students achieve their educational and career goals by equipping them with the tools and support necessary to succeed in the workforce.