There is no one Riverdale archetype. There is no one Riverdale experience. Our students travel to campus each day from 117 zip codes. Nearly 40 percent identify as students of color. Riverdale students have multiple interests — Mandarin and dance, science research and crew, entrepreneurship and feminism. They learn how to be a part of diverse teams and how to engage with local and global communities.

Riverdale is about balance

Riverdale is sometimes described as high-challenge, high-support. A balanced diet improves cognition; nutritious (and delicious) food is served on both campuses. Sleep is important; the faculty manages homework so that students can participate in an array of activities without undue stress. Regular exercise and time outdoors are important for learning and emotional wellbeing; all students have time in their day to take advantage of the campuses. Mentors abound. Deans, counselors, faculty, coaches, and administrators all get to know students as people on trips, service-learning events, and co-curricular activities.

Experiential Learning

Frank S. Hackett, the founder of Riverdale Country School, believed that learning should move seamlessly from the classroom to the outside world. We still believe that the most powerful learning happens in the real world. Experiential learning at Riverdale encompasses service-learning, global studies, outdoor/adventure education, community engagement, and interdisciplinary programs.

Our students do research in Alaska; they backpack in Patagonia; they perform in Manhattan theaters; they create business plans for new software applications; they travel internationally and domestically for academic enrichment and service-learning. Some of these experiences are built into the curriculum and occur during the school day; others occur in the evening, on weekends, and on school breaks.