Riverdale Public School 

Riverdale School, nestled within the Ramapo Mountains of Morris County, takes great pride in the learning experiences afforded to its Pre-K through grade 8 students.  The district encourages the growth and development of each student to his or her full potential within a developmentally appropriate curriculum.  To accomplish this, staff strives to provide an environment that fosters: an enthusiastic love of learning, a sense of responsibility, creative thinking and problem solving skills, an appreciation of the arts, development of self esteem, respect and sensitivity for others and awareness of a rapidly changing and diverse world.

To support this vision the district seeks to:

• Nurture cooperative partnerships among home, school and community
• Provide technological resources within an integrated curricula and
• Enhance the professional skills and talents of staff to meet the educational, emotional, and social needs of our students.

Riverdale prides itself in meeting the needs of all learners and provides staff with continuing professional development focusing on recognized “best practices” in education, to assist them in meeting this goal. Our commitment is based on the belief that our students are central to every decision made.   The resulting educational program includes:  

• An inclusive preschool program, affording our special needs students the opportunity to interact with typically developing peers
• A full day kindergarten program, providing developmentally appropriate instruction and activities designed to foster emotional, social and cognitive growth
• An emphasis on literacy throughout all disciplines, commencing with a balanced literacy program which includes skill development in: phonics, phonological awareness, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and exploration of a variety of genre.
• Writing throughout the disciplines, fostering higher order thinking and successful communication skills.
• Mathematics instruction, providing hands-on experiences as well as practical application of concepts.
• Integration of technology with Internet access throughout the facility
• World language instruction commencing in Kindergarten and an intensive program for students in grades 5-8, taught by a world language certified instructor.
• Opportunities for gifted and talented students through differentiated instruction as well as a “Self Directed Learning” program, under the direction of school staff.
• Integration of the Social Decision Making and Problem Solving program developed by the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
• Small class size
• Inter-scholastic athletic and academic programs
• Cultural enrichment assemblies sponsored by the PTA

Student accomplishments are celebrated and remain evidenced in awards and recognitions our students have earned within the school and the larger community.  Many of our middle school students hold membership in the National Junior Honor Society.  An annual Drama production, art show and science fair further showcase the achievements of our students. .

Additionally, the district enjoys a cooperative working relationship with the borough, who assists us through shared services and support of our programs.