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Our Mission

Riverdale is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good.

Yet, Riverdale is more than a school. It is a learning experience comprised of our mindset, our people, our programs, and our campus with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. All of us develop our own intellectual agency within an ethical community that fosters open inquiry, builds character strengths, and creates lifelong learners.

We want every member of our Riverdale community to thrive: socially, emotionally, academically, and physically. Through our collective and individual thriving and growth, our students can fulfill Riverdale’s mission to “change our world for the good.”


1907school founded
1,260student enrollment
5:1student/faculty ratio
27.5acres in the Bronx

Riverdale is an extraordinary place relentlessly committed to helping students achieve the confidence, competence, and commitment to make the world a better place. We know that when your community supports you, you are able to excel at levels beyond what you could imagine for yourself.

Kari ostrem
head of school

Riverdale Country School is a full member in good standing of the The New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), which serves as an accrediting body of independent schools, and is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.


Our Campus

We want to acknowledge that the Riverdale Country School campus is on the land of the Lenape People past and present. We name this connection to remind us to be better stewards of the land we inhabit.