Riverdale Country School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Riverdale Country School |
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| Motto: It is the spirit that quickeneth | |
| Established | 1907 |
| Type | Private |
| Headmaster | Dr. John R. Johnson |
| Students | approx. 1,100 |
| Location | 5250 Fieldston Road, Riverdale, NY 10471 , United States |
| Campus | Suburban |
| Website | www.riverdale.edu |
Riverdale Country School is a co-educational college preparatory day school in New York City. It is one of the most expensive and competitive private schools in the United States. It is located on two campuses covering more than 27 acres in the Riverdale section of The Bronx, New York.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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).
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).
Riverdale is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
[edit] Academics
Riverdale founder Dr. 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.
[edit] Distinguished Riverdale Alumni
- Bradley Abelow, State Treasurer of New Jersey
- Dan Abrams, General Manager of MSNBC
- Sean D. Altman, founder and lead singer of Rockapella
- Richard Blumenthal, Attorney General of Connecticut
- Neal Conan, NPR radio journalist
- Richard Engel, author and reporter
- Jesse Harris, musician
- Calvin Hill, former NFL player
- John Lahr, theater critic
- Dany Levy, writer and founder of Daily Candy website
- Nick McDonell, author
- Philip Proctor, actor
- Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania
- Tracee Ellis Ross, actress
- Carly Simon, musician
- Scott Snyder, author
- Joss Whedon, writer, director, executive producer, creator of several television series (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Serenity)
- Tim Zagat, restaurant critic
- Michael Zakarin, guitarist (The Bravery)
Chevy Chase attended the upper school. John F. Kennedy attended Riverdale's Lower School. Bud Collins and Nathan M. Pusey taught at Riverdale Country School.
[edit] School Leadership
Current Headmaster: Dr. John R. Johnson (commencing July 1, 2007, Dominic A. A. Randolph will succeed Dr. Johnson as headmaster)
Current Head of Upper School: Mr. Kent J. Kildahl
Current Head of Middle School: Mr. Milton J. Sipp
Current Head of Lower School: Mr. Sandy S. Shaller
[edit] Associations
Riverdale is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League and the New York State Association of Independent Schools .
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.
[edit] See also
- Official Website: www.riverdale.edu
- Education in New York City
- MSNBC Article about Riverdale's Tuition Cost
| Ivy Preparatory School League Collegiate School • Dalton School • Fieldston School • Hackley School Horace Mann School • Poly Prep • Riverdale Country School • Trinity School |
[edit] References
- ↑ Bunting & Lyon Bunting & Lyon profile: Riverdale Country School
- ↑ Riverdale Statistics
- ↑ Riverdale Statistics
- ↑ Riverdale Statistics
- ↑ Bunting & Lyon Bunting & Lyon profile: Riverdale Country School
- ↑ New York State Association of Independent Schools
