Mission & Strategic Directions The mission of Riverdale Country School is to offer students the foundations of a liberal education that will guide them to rewarding, purposeful lives. In its second century, Riverdale's unique character is still shaped by the commitment of its founder, Frank S. Hackett, to high academic standards, scholarly, intimate teaching, abundant play in the open, and a care for the best influences.
It is our duty to help our students expand their competence and resourcefulness and to enable them to think critically. Riverdale students are not merely passive recipients of knowledge; teachers support students in the challenging work of actively constructing their own understanding and skills in a balance of intellectual, artistic, athletic, and community activities. The ideal Riverdale experience is a friendly, lively meeting of disciplined minds working, creating, and performing together in the classroom and in the larger arena made possible by New York City and our country campuses.
The knowledge, culture, experiences, interests, abilities, and points of view that each member of the Riverdale community brings to the school enrich the lives and deepen the understanding of those with whom they interact. We value the quality of the relationships we forge. Parents feel a strong partnership with the school and students form lasting bonds with their teachers, mentors, and peers. For these reasons, we seek diverse experiences and viewpoints in our students and their families, our faculty, and our curriculum. In the patterns of our daily life on campus, we seek to create a model of the ways in which people should treat and respect one another.
Adopted November 15, 2006 |
At Riverdale, we rely on a powerful model based on guiding principles in four key areas: mind, character, commitment, and community. Within each category we strive to create ambitious programs that benefit the entire community.
Mind
High standards are valued at Riverdale, but so are innovative approaches to learning. The school invites students to cast a wide net during their years on campus, encouraging them to explore subjects in the arts and sciences that interest them. Students' intellectual curiosity and emotional growth are given thoughtful support even as they grow independent as learners, which serves them well during their college years and beyond.
Character
Honesty, self-discipline, resilience, and perseverance are qualities we encourage in our students every day. A multifaceted support system on campus provides students with the support they need as they pursue opportunities and learn life lessons.
Commitment
A successful life is made up of the many commitments we make, both to ourselves and to others. Riverdale's emphasis on commitment to a wide range of activities, including academics, sports, community service, and the arts, endows students with a sense of satisfaction and balance during their years at Riverdale.
Community
The Riverdale campuses are an ideal setting for an intimate community of young learners. Students also are encouraged to expand their view of community beyond the wooded campuses; they are encouraged to view themselves as citizens of the world, with all the joy and responsibility that implies. |
|  | Founder of Riverdale Country School,
First Headmaster, 1907-1949
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