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Riverdale Country School

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Riverdale Country School
File:RCS Logo.jpg

It is the spirit that quickeneth
Type Private
Established 1907
Headmaster Dr. John R. Johnson
Enrollment approx. 1,100
Campus Suburban
Location 5250 Fieldston Road
Riverdale, NY 10471
Website www.riverdale.edu

Riverdale Country School is a co-educational college preparatory day school in New York City and a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League. Its campus is in the Riverdale section of The Bronx.

History

Founded in 1907 by Frank S. Hackett (Riverdale's Hackett Hall is named after him), Riverdale is one of the oldest country day schools in the United States.

The present-day institution traces its origins to The Riverdale School for Boys, which was established in 1907 by Frank Sutliff Hackett. In 1920, the Neighborhood Elementary School was founded, followed in 1933 by the Riverdale Girls School. In 1972, the three schools combined to form a single educational community shaped by these same goals and ideals. Riverdale Country School aims to cultivate the unique talents of its students and to nurture their intellectual, creative, physical, moral, emotional, and social development. [1]

School Dynamics

Riverdale has the largest overall school campus in the New York City area (27.5 acres: 19.5 for the Upper School, 8 for the Lower School). [2]

Riverdale houses two campus areas, the River Campus (grades Pre-K - 5 known as the Lower School) and the Hill Campus (grades 6 - 8 known as the Middle Division and 9 - 12 known Upper Division, collectively known as the Upper School). The River Campus received its name because of its location beside the Hudson River and the Hill Campus received its name from its location as well.

Riverdale currently has an enrollment of approximately 1060 students (Lower School = 435, Upper School = 625). [3]

Riverdale is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools. [4]

Academics [5]

Riverdale founder Mr. Frank S. Hackett shared a deep commitment to "scholarly, intimate teaching; rigorous, uncompromising academic standards; abundant play in the open; and a care for the best influences".

The curriculum in the early childhood program is designed to develop basic academic concepts and social skills.

In Grades 1-5, a strong, sequential approach to skill development in reading and math is balanced with literature, writing, and math problem solving.

The Middle School is housed in the fully renovated Hackett Hall, but students use arts, science, athletic, and dining facilities in common with upper schoolers, and the schedules of the two divisions permit teachers to teach classes in both.

The Upper School features numerous elective courses for juniors and seniors, including honors courses in language and mathematics and Advanced Placement courses in all disciplines.

To earn a high school diploma, students in Grades 9-12 must complete 4 credits in English; 3 credits in a single foreign language or 2 credits in each of two languages; 3 in history; 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in mathematics; 2 in science; and 1 1/2 in the arts. Seniors must also earn 1 credit in Integrated Liberal Studies, which features social philosophy, literature, history of science, and arts components. Each grade has a Dean of Students who coordinates academic programs and serves as a liaison between parents and school. Students in Grades 6–12 must complete from 10 to 18 hours of community service, yearly, depending on age.

Distinguished Riverdale Alumni

Chevy Chase and John F. Kennedy also attended Riverdale. Nathan M. Pusey taught at Riverdale Country School.

School Leadership

Current Headmaster: Dr. John R. Johnson

Current Head of Upper School: Mr. Ronald McDonald

Current Head of Middle School: Mr. Milton J. Sipp

Current Head of Lower School: Mr. Sandy S. Shaller

Associations

Riverdale is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League and the New York State Association of Independent Schools [6].

The "Hilltop" Schools: Riverdale, The Fieldston School, and Horace Mann School together are known as the "hilltop schools", as all three are located within two miles of each other in Riverdale on a hilly area above Van Cortlandt Park.

See also

References

  1. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<history>">^ Bunting & Lyon Bunting & Lyon profile: Riverdale Country School
  2. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<stats>">^ Riverdale Statistics
  3. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<stats>">^ Riverdale Statistics
  4. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<stats>">^ Riverdale Statistics
  5. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<academics>">^ Bunting & Lyon Bunting & Lyon profile: Riverdale Country School
  6. <span class="citation wikicite" id="endnote_<nysais>">^ New York State Association of Independent Schools
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