Riverside Elementary School

This was the second elementary school I ever went to. It was during the latter half of Kindergarten that I transferred there, as we had moved from a different town in Indiana to live in a house. I was there from Kindergarten to third grade, until I had to move again, to another state entirely. In the summer before second grade, a student died. She and her grandmother were hit head on by a drunk driver. I am almost 26 and I can still remember her name, and I remember one of the very few times we talked to each other just a year before, and I remember her face. What I also remember is Riverside's unwavering kindness. In memory of her, they adopted a dolphin, her favorite animal,and named it after her. No school had ever impacted me as much as Riverside had. In fact my grades sank from straight As and Bs very quickly after I started at a new school, and any school after that.

I am the parent of two Riverside students.

My oldest just completed 5th Grade and is moving on to middle school. While attending Riverside my oldest experienced a diverse culture of peers, dedicated teachers, extra curricular opportunities through team sports and arts programs and the support of a very involved parent group. My oldest child's educational growth and positive self image has exceeded my expectations during the 6 consecutive years at the school. I attribute the positive development as a result of the "family" culture that is cultivated in this "gem" of a school. My oldest entered Riverside as a full time Kindergartener with no reading ability and is leaving as an advanced reader, loves writing and is inspired to do so out of school, finds science and social studies both interesting and inspiring and has qualified for Pre-Algebra in Middle School. I could not be more pleased with the experience.

My youngest is a High Ability learner with natural ability to work math problems, is above average articulately and is a 2 Grade above level reader. Riverside has provided my youngest with high ability level education while enjoying the age appropriate social interaction with peers at grade level. My youngest started at Riverside as a Preschooler in their wonderful program. I attribute my youngest success to early introduction to "LEARNING IS FUN" coupled with high standards for behavior expectations, goal setting and achievement incentives that are introduced by Riverside preschool and Kindergarten teachers.

The building is a state of the art facility and thus my children's learning environment was unhindered by distractions that often result from low building standards. The principal is a dedicated "hands on leader" and personally involved in the growth, development and success of each student along with the entire Riverside staff. I have been in the building during numerous Fire Drills and Intruder Drills and the professionalism and seriousness of how they are handled by the staff has been so reassuring. I am in awe each time of the diligence and thorough efficiency of procedures that are in place and rehearsed to assure that every student, staff member and guest is confirmed "safe and accounted for" in these drills.

I am a VERY pleased and THANKFUL parent.

My daughter started the 2011-2012 school year at Riverside in Kindergarten, she was delayed in her speech at the time of enrollment. She was only putting a couple words together, I was very worried. By the second half my daughter were putting together full sentences. Also, she didn't know how to read, only the basics for a 5/6 year old. By the end of the school year my daughter can read and pronounce any word she sees. They were teaching the kids lessons that most schools don't start teaching until 1st grade. I am happy to say, my child is talking at her age level now, can read and write well, also can add and subtract. I am completely happy with my choice.

My child started Riverside this year, as an out of state transferee. We are so unhappy with the discipline issues we are currently looking at houses in another county. We went from straight A's to C's and D's. The curriculum is not higher, the class rooms are so unruly he can not pay attention, or get away from bullying. My child has learned an entire new vocabulary this year. But not one word of it is appropriate! Unless you are uninterested in your child's education, I would highly recommend living ANYWHERE but this school district.

My child began Pre-K at Riverside last year and is currently enrolled in their accelerated readers Kindergarten. The quality of education they provide is amazing. Our child finished Pre-K reading and is already reading chapter books - in Kindergarten! The teachers and staff also nurture their social skills in addition to the academics. The inclusion of special needs children in the classes teaches respect and understanding of others. My child now uses sign language to communicate with classmates who are hearing impaired.
They also make a huge effort to keep parents involved and aware of what the classes are doing via newsletters, notes, the Communicator and planner. There's never a question about what the focus is or what the child should be working on at home.
I couldn't be happier with the foundation for success they've provided my child with and strongly recommend Riverside Elementary.