Riverbend School

At Riverbend School, there are no limits to what you can learn, and what you can achieve.
Everything about the School is intentionally designed to create an inspiring and fully engaging learning environment for every single child.
Walk about our campus and you`ll experience a sense of deep purpose and boundless energy. Talk with a member of our community and you`ll quickly understand our sustained commitment to learning, and to each other.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 175 students
  • Acceptance rate: 75%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
2010

Student Body

Total Students
175 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Riverbend School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
46%
Average Class Size
14 students
List of Courses Offered
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
$22,920 - $34,380. Applicants for grades K-8 are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance.
% on Financial Aid
19%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$14,920
Acceptance Rate
75%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Lynn Shevory (Children's House) / Katie Charner-Laird (Upper School)
Admissions Associate
Sarah Hahn

Sports

Total Sports Offered
2 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
13 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Basketball Teams, Chess Club, Chinese Club, Fencing Club, gymnastics, Jewelry Making, Minecraft Club, Plays and Musicals, Soccer Club, Yoga Club

Arts and Music Programs:
Music Lessons, Pottery, Stage Band

School Notes

  • Riverbend School formed in 2010 from the merger of Eliot Montessori School (1971-2010) and Natick Montessori (2000-2010).
  • We serve over 170 students from 15 months through grade 8 in Natick, MA.
OUR CAMPUS
  • Our 12,500 square foot "green" Children`s House at 33 Eliot Street opened in 2014. It is home to our Toddler, Primary, and Kindergarten programs, and its five acre lot includes a playground and outdoor garden/play spaces for each classroom.
  • Upper School is home to our Elementary and Middle Schools, and art studio and design lab. Facilities include a newly built school house which opened in 2020 (Lower Elementary), a recently renovated historic building (Upper Elementary) and two neighboring houses for the Middle School and administration, as well as a new gymnasium and outdoor quad space, playground, athletic fields, and picnic area.
  • Outdoor programming conducted by our certified Naturalist takes place on our campus grounds, neighboring Elm Bank reservation, abutting town trails, and in partnership with Natick Community Organic Farm.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate of Riverbend School?
The acceptance rate of Riverbend School is 75%, which is higher than the national average of 70%.
What sports does Riverbend School offer?
Riverbend School offers 2 interscholastic sports: Basketball and Soccer.
When is the application deadline for Riverbend School?
The application deadline for Riverbend School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

5  
In the Riverbend Middle School, Fridays are mainly dedicated to community service. Being involved in the community has always been a large part of Montessori education; there are two main community service events on Fridays that middle school students are required to participate in. Firstly, each middle school student is required to help out in a classroom somewhere in the school for 45 minutes. Secondly, after lunch they walk to the Natick Community Organic Farm to volunteer for three hours. In this way the Middle School is involved in both the Riverbend and Natick communities.Helping others and being involved in the community is a large part of Montessori education. Maria Montessori once said that "The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction" (Maria Montessori). This quote is the essence of community service at Riverbend. Loving your surroundings and working to make life better for people around you is the reason we do community service. Seeing everyone working together to teach younger children or feed animals is heartwarming. I can`t help but think Maria Montessori would be proud.Every Friday, we go to different classrooms including D-Lab, Upper Elementary, Art, Lower Elementary and the Children`s House. Most people go in pairs, although some work individually. I asked Luke (a current 7th grade student) about how it feels to help out in your school community and he said "It feels great to know that you`re helping people and building a stronger community" (Luke H). Luke works in the art room with Mr. Jacob, and he says that "It`s a really great bonding experience. You spend a lot of time with [the teacher you are working with] and your partner, if you`re working with a partner" (Luke). The Community Outreach program is a great opportunity to be a part of the larger Riverbend community; working with your peers and adults is satisfying, educational and empowering. After lunch we go to farm, which is hard work, but fun because you get to work with your classmates. Luke says he enjoys farm, and working with his peers. "I hear people say they don`t like farms and I`m like, why? Farming is amazing!" (Luke). Farm is definitely one of the most exciting activities in the week; getting outside for three hours and working with animals is a peaceful time in an often busy schedule, and it is no wonder most people enjoy it. The farmer says he is grateful for our help and loves being able to teach us about what he loves to do. "There is always more work that has to be done on a farm- extremely helpful to have volunteers to do some of it" (Farmer Dan). Working with someone who is excited to educate us makes the experience even more pleasant. Many of the tasks we are given at farm are difficult, but working as a team with our peers makes them extremely enjoyable. Middle school Fridays are extremely satisfying, because you can participate in two community service events. Maria Montessori would love to see how well Middle schoolers work with their peers to enhance the community. Helping out teachers around the school gives you a feeling of empowerment and helpfulness, and working at farm gives students an unforgettable experience: being part of a team. Doing both in one day makes it so that when you go home, you feel that you actually made a difference in your community. I hope it continues to be that way, students working together in the community, because that really is what Montessori learning is about.
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
  • Enrollment: 175 students
  • Acceptance rate: 75%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Middlesex County, MA is $27,693 for elementary schools and $44,792 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Middlesex County, MA is 61% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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