Riverstone International School in Boise

Posted: November 11, 2024

Mixed bag here...for being in Boise this school is incredibly "woke." First day in 6th grade they asked my child their "personal pronouns." In 7th grade art class the assignment was to write a report on a contemporary artist. My child was told their pick was "too white male." My child was subsequently instructed to choose a BIPOC artist, with extra points if they were "queer." My complaints regarding this fell on deaf ears.

Many of the teachers are pretty decent. The facilities are relatively poor; there is not a cafeteria/lunchroom here. For the tuition we paid we expected more.

The non-woke portions of the curriculum are good, especially the math and outdoor-centric programs. My child really enjoyed the trips and activities out of the classroom. However, we did put our son in a different international school this year and discovered he was way behind the curve in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. His new school has these subjects as stand-alone classes starting in Grade 5. Not so at Riverstone.

Posted: October 8, 2024

Being a Riverstone Family for the past 7 years has been a rewarding experience for not only our child, but our family. The primary years education laid a solid foundation for her, instilling curiosity, self-esteem, compassion for others, risk-taking and love for the outdoors. As a family, we have found a community of other families who have become dear friends and a support system through milestones, pandemics and plain old parenting. Entering Middle Years has been a positive experience - our child is known as an individual, nurtured and pushed to be her best self. She is enjoying school, eager to take on new responsibilities that come with Middle Years and is becoming an independent learner and thinker. We are so grateful for this community and the opportunities we have, not only for our child, but as a family.

Posted: October 8, 2024

Posted: September 18, 2024

Riverstone International School is an exceptional place for students to grow both academically and personally. The school fosters a close-knit community where every student is valued and supported. Teachers and staff truly care about students as individuals, encouraging them to discover their passions and achieve their full potential. With a strong focus on holistic education, Riverstone offers a nurturing environment that cultivates a love for learning and personal growth.

Posted: September 15, 2024

I couldnt be more pleased with the exceptional experience my children had at Riverstone, starting from Kindergarten and continuing through their high school years. The nurturing and dedicated teachers created a supportive learning environment, while the strong sense of community helped them thrive both academically and socially. The focus on global awareness, combined with the opportunity to form friendships with students from around the world, was truly invaluable. The outdoor education program further enriched their experience, fostering independence and resilience. Both of my children were not only well-prepared for college but also equipped with a unique perspective and skill set that gave them a significant advantage compared to their peers at other schools in Boise. Riverstone truly set them up for success in life beyond high school.

Posted: September 15, 2024

Posted: September 14, 2024

We have had three sons at Riverstone over the past ten years and feel extremely fortunate and grateful for the incredible experiences and opportunities they have each had. The engaging and challenging IB curriculum paired with incredibly strong and meaningful connections to their teachers has fostered a lifelong love of learning. The outdoor program has given them amazing experiences hiking, camping, exploring, and in turn, the perspective to appreciate the value of lessons taught beyond the walls of a classroom. Riverstone is a little gem in Boise and we feel so fortunate that our sons have had the opportunity to attend and be part of such an incredible community!

Posted: September 14, 2024

My son has been at Riverstone for seven years, including in grade, middle, and high schools, and I can unequivocally say that he is thriving in this vibrant school community. The School incorporates its five pillars academic excellence, community & service, leadership by example, international understanding, and outdoor education into its interdisciplinary approach to education, resulting in a robust, rich, and unique educational experience for Riverstone students. As a parent, I especially appreciate the relationship my son has developed with teachers and administrators, who dont just know his name but really know him as a person and as a student. I ask my son every year if he wants to continue at Riverstone versus transferring to a public school. His answer is always the same: I will be earning my International Baccalaureate Diploma from Riverstone.

Posted: September 14, 2024

We absolutely love Riverstone International School! This year has been incredible for our son, and weve already seen so much progress thanks to the personalized attention and the small class sizes. The teachers really get to know each student, which has made a huge difference in his confidence and learning. The supportive and nurturing environment helps him thrive, and we couldnt be happier with our choice. Highly recommend Riverstone for anyone looking for an amazing, individualized education experience!

Posted: September 14, 2024

I have had two children attend Riverstone International School from elementary school through middle school and into high school. Both have benefitted greatly from the school's academically rigorous IB program, it's unique outdoor experiences, and it's incredibly kind and supportive student body. The faculty have been very accessible and helpful in personalizing education for each child, and I have seen the results of the education when my children have participated in programs outside the school and received recognition for outstanding performance. I would recommend Riverstone highly and without reservation to anyone looking for an outstanding academic education within a supportive environment that helps them develop a range of important life skills including critical thinking, community involvement, and communication skills.

Posted: September 14, 2024

Posted: September 12, 2024

Nothing short of amazing! Riverstone is everything and so much more I had hoped in a school for my kid. Everyone is kind, theres an amazing focus on social emotional learning (which gives kids the capacity to learn the academics too), the community of students/staff/parents is strong, creativity is strong I cant imagine a better school for our child! We are in our second year now and continue to be impressed by the staff, the curriculum, the community, and of course the outdoor education program. I highly recommend for all kinds of families!

Posted: September 12, 2024

My children have been attending Riverstone International School for 8 years. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is well rounded educational offering. The schools outdoor programs are a wonderful experiences that give kids a unique learning opportunity.

Posted: September 12, 2024

Posted: September 3, 2024

I went to Riverstone for ten years and graduated with an IB diploma. Riverstone fostered a love for learning and paved the way for my future in academia. The teachers and staff were inspiring, and they took every step necessary to ensure our success in college and beyond. Forever grateful for my time there!

Posted: September 3, 2024

Posted: August 29, 2024

I was an early graduate of Riverstone and in the years since I've left the school has done nothing but grow and flourish. I had tremendous support from my teachers and developed close relationships with most/all of them. I still am in contact with some of those teachers to this day. The college preparation I received was amazing, and even though I didn't know it at the time, I was lightyears ahead of my peers at other schools. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and the campus is beautiful.

Posted: August 29, 2024

Posted: August 28, 2024

As a former student I can definitively say that this school was a foundational part of my success later in life. It was such a rigorous and effective education that university education felt trivial throughout my entire undergraduate degree. While rigorous, it was never burdensome or overly demanding, which I chalk up to the effectiveness of the teachers.

Posted: August 28, 2024

Posted: August 27, 2024

Riverstone is far and away the best school in the Pacific Northwest. We have had our daughters there for most of their school age years- and the times when we weren't here- we definitely missed it and couldn't wait to come back! The amount of hands on learning opportunities, the small classes, the deep relationships with teachers and administrators, and the unparalleled depth and rigor set RIS apart. If you want your kid(s) to be known, seen, cared about, and pushed to achievement and well deserved confidence, then send your kids here.

Posted: August 27, 2024

Posted: August 17, 2024

I was a student at Riverstone for 10 years and eventually graduated. In my experience, Riverstone embraces its small school environment. This is mainly due to the teachers and faculty who work tirelessly to give a personalized education to each student. Easily Riverstones greatest strength is their teachers. One issue is there is not a vast amount of diversity in their academic offerings. This however is to be expected from a school of that size. Riverstone truly prepares students to be a college academically and I am ever thankful for that. It can deliver amazing opportunities for its students and provide them with an eagerness to learn and find their own unique interests. Having a small school environment creates very distinct and tight knit classes improving the school experience as a whole. It is both academically challenging while not being competitive. I am forever grateful for the opportunities Riverstone has given me and as a whole I do believe it sets kids off on more successful paths due to the care they give to each and every student.

Posted: August 17, 2024

I had never enjoyed school before starting at Riverstone. When I did start at Riverstone, my attitude quickly turned and since then I have loved school. The teachers at Riverstone taught me that what I had to say held value which encouraged me to think critically and learn to articulate exactly what I wanted to express. Riverstone's staff helped tie together the community and made room for me to feel both truly known and cared for. My classmates and the small student body at Riverstone taught me to reach out and befriend everyone around me, leaving me able to find community wherever I go. Currently I am in college and enjoying every minute of it, much in thanks to all I leant at my time at Riverstone. I could not recommend a high school more!

Posted: August 17, 2024

Posted: August 14, 2024

One of the standout features of this school was the close relationships I developed with my teachers. Their dedication and passion for their subjects were contagious, inspiring to my own excitement for learning. These mentors went above and beyond to nurture my curiosity and challenge me academically. The strong foundation I built here served me well beyond graduation. The advocacy skills I learned from my teachers proved invaluable in college, where I felt empowered to take charge of my education and seek out opportunities. Even now, years later, I still draw upon the lessons and confidence I gained at Riverstone. My time at this high school was transformative. It not only prepared me academically but also instilled in me a lifelong love of learning. I'm grateful for the exceptional education and supportive community I found here in Idaho.

Posted: August 14, 2024

Posted: June 21, 2024

We have not been impressed for 4 years running and are pulling our kids out of this school due to:
1) lack of communication
2) lack of transparency
3) mass exodus of teachers every year
4) lack of basic safety protocols, including fencing around open play areas, supervised recess or lunch
5) increased tuition each year, while quality of teachers has dropped significantly, and number of students per classroom has grown considerably
6) lack of intervention lists (they keep leaving and are not replaced)
7) they treat many families very badly. The ones that are treated well have the most money.

Posted: June 21, 2024

Posted: April 17, 2024

Riverstone has been a great school for our three children. Overall the academics provided have really met our kids needs pushing them where they need to be pushed and providing support in other areas. In the elementary school, the student to teacher ratio and the attention the teachers give our kids is incredible and so valuable as they build a love for learning.

With three children they all have different needs but all of them have loved all of the outdoor programs. The overnight in 2nd grade is such a great introduction to camping and being away from family but with your friends and the climbing in Kindergartner was a huge hit with all of the kids. Everyone are looking forward to the week long camping and hiking in middle and high school.

Posted: April 17, 2024

Posted: April 11, 2024

If I could give a negative star review, I would. Riverstone outright refuses to contact both parents in a divorced situation. Time and time again, they contact my son's father and find it unnecessary to to contact me as well. Despite phone calls, emails, and personal visits to the school, Riverstone continues to ignore the fact that I have 50/50 custody of my son. I'm a college educated woman. I have a full-time job. I've never been in trouble with the law. I provide care to our nation's Veterans. I am in NO way an absent parent. But for some reason, Riverstone will not contact me if my son is hurt, absent, sent home sick, etc etc etc.

They DO NOT have a school nurse on staff.

They do not currently have a cafeteria for the kids to eat their lunch in, and they haven't ever had a cafeteria on site.

Way overpriced and test scores for my son continue to decline. What are we paying for? Would NOT recommend.

Posted: April 11, 2024

We have had an incredible amount of problems communicating with Riverstone International school regarding our student. Our other children attend West Ada School District and the difference is incredible. Our kids in West Ada Schools are excelling, the teachers are exceptional and the communication is on point. The education at West Ada is better in almost every way. Riverstone is a disappointment and a waste of resources. Don't waste your time or money.

Posted: April 11, 2024

Posted: September 27, 2023

I am a graduating senior and I could not have had a more positive experience at Riverstone. I have attended Riverstone since elementary school, and it has continuously proven to be an outstanding educational environment. The teachers are supportive and caring, the peers are academically motivated, and the IB curriculum ensures that each class is academically stimulating and rigorous (especially in 11th and 12th grade). Riverstone fostered a drive for learning inside me and literally shaped me into who I am. Some personal highlights include the outdoor trips, the creative, thought-provoking projects, and the birthday picture book that my 1st-grade teacher wrote for me (which I still have to this day)!

Besides having a strong academic focus, Riverstone is also a close-knit community that rallies around its students so they can be their best selves. For instance, in 10th grade, I sought to write and produce a full-length play. Rather than leave me hanging, my classmates (including peers I had never talked to before) and teachers stepped up to help develop and act in the play. That kind of community support -- and the opportunities Riverstone provides you to explore your interests (whether through clubs, sports, outdoor trips, or passion projects) -- make Riverstone wildly unique.

All in all, Riverstone has been an amazing place not just to go to school, but to grow up in.

Posted: September 27, 2023

Posted: February 23, 2022

They expelled my child without any prior notification. The teacher knew beforehand but also didn't warn us. They treated it like firing someone from the workplace though this is a child. He didn't have an opportunity to say goodbye to his friends. There was no compromise or discussion. Judging by the timing they had been working towards this for a while without telling us -- making sure to do this around a holiday and using a contract excuse so they could still keep all of the tuition.

Posted: February 23, 2022

Posted: August 8, 2021

This school was great but the best teachers keep leaving. I hope it can figure out what needs to change to keep great teachers.

Posted: August 8, 2021

Posted: June 8, 2021

My 5 year old son transitioned to Riverstone in the middle of the year, moving out of state and away from friends and grandparents. The teachers worked closely with him so he felt included and supported. The school counselor also spent time making sure he was on track to be successful and happy.
The teaching approach encourages different styles of learning and is child centric, allowing the children to ask questions freely. The specialist teachers work with the homeroom teacher to make an interesting, well rounded and connected curriculum. My son particularly likes having an 'outdoor teacher' as well as a PE teacher; he gets to go on field trips and learning experiences throughout the year rather than as one-off events.

I'm personally excited about the language opportunities- both Spanish (from PreK- 5th) and Mandarin (from 3rd- 5th), eventually choosing his favorite to continue throughout Middle and High school.

Thank you Riverstone for these amazing opportunities!

Posted: June 8, 2021

Posted: October 9, 2020

We have been at this school for many years and watched the growth of the school and the community. Could not be more pleased with the opportunity for our family to experience this education.

Posted: October 9, 2020

An age-appropriate balance of thoughtful, engaging homework, not just worksheets or busy work. Respect is giving to time commitments outside the classroom as well.

Posted: October 9, 2020

The teachers creatively engage and work with the students to learn the material, making it interesting and relevant to the real world. Teaching to all levels of interest and ability effectively giving the learner tools they need to thrive.

Posted: February 25, 2020

We moved here last year and enrolled our kids in the elementary school. The experience has been great for both. Our son, who was bored in public school, has excelled as he's been given a project based curriculum that allows him to pursue areas of interest. Our daughter, who has dyslexia, has benefited by the small class sizes, attention from resource teachers and community of teachers/administrators. We couldn't be happier about the experience... unless of course they made it cheaper.

Posted: September 12, 2019

The teachers are very open to listening to parent feedback, concerns, thoughts, etc.

Posted: September 12, 2019

As a former teacher, I have a very high expectation of what I wanted for my daughters education. She started last year in pre-school and is now in the bilingual pre-k class. Riverstone has been incredible in every way. I LOVE the small class sizes with a very diverse group of students (something I would not be getting at our neighborhood school in the Highlands neighborhood). I also love the emphasis on outdoor education (they start the year off with a Payette river rafting trip for the preschool and pre-k). My daughter is thriving with the art and music education and starting to speak spanish. I love that I feel like I can talk to the teachers about any concerns I have because with small classes, they really are able to address them. I highly recommend this school to anyone who wants to get an education that focuses on life in an international world!

Posted: September 20, 2018

Horrible experience. 4 year old kid, 3 weeks into school already fractured his elbow at this school. They had a 5th grader watching him! Then the teacher turns on us and tells us it's our kids fault! Kid is somehow getting bullied at pre-K and the teachers haven't notified us or discussed it with us or anything. Buyer beware! The contract you sign will put you on the hook for $10k of the full tuition even though we pulled out kid out 3 weeks into the school year due to these issues!

Posted: August 13, 2018

Not better than any other school - bullying exists there as well.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Poor - The school definitely favors large donor and very active families and their children. You know it is bad when even the elementary students notice the difference in the treatment.

Posted: August 13, 2018

The teachers are decent to good and very dedicated for the most part.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Not impressed by the Middle and High School Director who makes promises he doesn't keep. Talks out of both sides of his mouth - is in no way a role model.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: January 20, 2018

White weathy kids who have parents in the board definitely have its way to a happy life in this school. The administors and teachers love them.

Posted: January 20, 2018

The thing I loved: outdoor trips( even though I hated them when I was there but they always ended up producing some of the best stories of my high school life) the class size and thats it.
The thing I hate: tuition, the school buildings ( way too sketchy to be called a school), some of the teachers and administors ( can I say some of them are even racisit???), the IB curriculum ( the curriculum itself is good but needs good teachers to support the students)

Posted: January 2, 2017

Only homework if you don't get what you need to get done in class.

Posted: January 2, 2017

I honestly love this school. Each teacher cares about the student. The teachers help you out so much. They make learning amazing.

Posted: July 11, 2016

My children are getting an experience unavailable anywhere else in our community. Instead of just getting information, they are LEARNING HOW TO LEARN. This helps them to be completely independent in the future and will set them apart from their peers.

Posted: April 19, 2016

We moved to this school 3 years ago this March, and could not be more thrilled with our choice. The teachers, the learning environment, and the community make all the difference.

Posted: April 19, 2016

Posted: April 18, 2016

It is the People, the Place and the Culture of caring and learning that matters Riverstone International School has all that to offer to its students. As one of the proud parents, it brings great confidence that we can turn over the workplace, and our society to leaders coming from students graduating at Riverstone International School, where a great inspiration towards collaborative learning and service to community is clearly demonstrated.

Posted: April 13, 2016

Riverstone is a unique, highly communal school that offers its students an incredible IB education while fostering a sense of self reliance and appreciation for the outdoors. We have three children there who are all very different learners and each of them has thrived because of the incredible faculty, attention to the individual student, and a willingness on the part of the school to go above and beyond. Riverstone gives its students a balance of academic excellence, a strong sense of community and an amazing outdoor education, all while sitting on the list of the top 50 best private school in the US! We truly love it and feel that it is a gem in Boise!

Posted: April 13, 2016

The teachers are amazing- they are teaching a very complex, integrated curriculum and are very available and helpful on a personal level.

Posted: April 13, 2016

Riverstone holds its students accountable for their actions and creates a platform for students to have a voice, be heard and problem solve.

Posted: December 8, 2014

This school is horrible in terms of their practices with parents. Our daughter was supposed to attend this school and we had to withdraw due to my spouse losing her job. We were new to the area and moved for my spouse's position, so without the income we could not afford the school. The school is continuing to hound us for their full year's worth of tuition even though our child has spent 0 school days at Riverstone. The administration and their board needs to recognize our exceptional circumstances and let us out of the contract. We now are working with an attorney to accomplish what just makes good common sense.

Posted: September 17, 2014

Riverstone was a great environment for our son who really thrived in the small classroom setting, with a rigorous academic curriculum and with teachers who were truly mentors throughout his 8 years there. Riverstone is the best educational opportunity presented to students in Idaho and beyond. I have taught in public and private schools and so, as a former teacher and as a parent, I can say that Riverstone has its vision, mission and act together.

Posted: September 16, 2014

Riverstone International School provided an outstanding academic, international and community-service-oriented education for both our daughters. Warm, caring, competent teachers, small class size, and a truly international student body gave them an education relevant for our international, connected world. The school offers scholarships to about 25% of the students, including refugees from places like Sudan, so the student body is diverse. The school also encourages community service learning and character development. One daughter is about to graduate with a Microbiology; the other is studying Computer Science, and I feel they graduated from RIS well-prepared to succeed in college and life!

Posted: March 28, 2014

Riverstone is a small school that places great emphasis on both academic and personal development. Academically, my son thrived after moving to Riverstone because of the classroom discussions, creative and interesting assignments applying what he learned, and teachers who knew him personally and could encourage him to stretch himself. The Diploma Program in Gr 11& 12 requires that every student takes math/science/english/language/arts/history but also requires 150 hrs of service/creativity/action and a 4000 word essay of independent research. In addition to classmates from the Treasure Valley, his classmates included kids from around the world. He did not have any experience with camping prior to Riverstone but after backpacking through Hells Canyon, Grand Gulch, Sheep Creek, and the Sawtooth Mtns, he learned a great deal about teamwork with classmates and teachers, his own resilience in challenging situations, and that Idaho is an amazingly beautiful state. Thanks to Riverstone, my son was more than prepared for college academically, but also prepared to deal with new situations, advocate for himself, and be confident in who he is as an individual.

Posted: October 19, 2013

This school is a poor excuse for an institution of learning. While the curriculum is very diverse and more advanced than public schools, they do not support anything OTHER than the academics. They completely lack the knowledge, staffing and resources to support the kids in other ways. The culture there is very much "elitist" and the school WILL pull whatever strings necessary for the wealthiest familes while throwing the scholarship kids under the bus. By this I mean, if a wealthy kid doesn't like your "less wealthy" kid, be prepared for your child to be in the director's office with disciplinary actions. I witnessed this on many occasions while my child attended and it is rampant. I really loved the "idea" of this school, but found it was a very damaging environment for my child. You'd be FAR better off going to one of the schools in the North End or Highlands area.

Base	Distance
Gowen Field	5.9 mi.
Mountain Home AFB	37.3 mi.

Riverstone International School

Boise, ID 83716

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Riverstone International School

Boise, ID 83716

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