Riverdale Country School (Top Ranked Private School for 2025)

5250 Fieldston Road
Bronx, NY 10471

Riverdale Country School Photo #1 - An essential part of the Riverdale Lower School curriculum is environmental education, which teaches students to be environmental stewards and learn how to protect our natural world.

Riverdale Country School Photo #2 - In Middle School, students forge friendships, explore new interests with inspiring mentors, and discover their optimal learning styles.

Riverdale Country School Photo #3 - Riverdale offers more than 60 JV and varsity athletic teams and competes against teams throughout the NYC and Tri-State areas. Student athletes develop confidence, teamwork skills, leadership, and athletic abilities. Over 80% of Middle and Upper School students participate in team sports.

Riverdale Country School Photo #4 - From a recent Middle School production of the musical "Newsies." Middle School students not only perform but also produce, design, and build the sets for two theatrical productions each year. As we like to say at Riverdale, there is no energy like Middle School energy!

Riverdale Country School Photo #5 - Upper School Science fosters interdisciplinary learning, drawing on various subjects, preparing students for real-world challenges. Students also have opportunities to pursue independent research projects guided by faculty mentors.

Riverdale Country School Photo #6 - PreK students participate in weekly nature walks in Riverdale Park, where they observe, take in the sights, sounds, and sensations around them at a slow pace, and learn to appreciate the natural world. Exploring nature in open-ended ways fosters a sense of connection and curiosity, an integral part of the Lower School experience.

Riverdale Country School Photo #7 - In outdoor education programs, students develop valuable leadership skills, face new challenges, and create community.

Riverdale Country School Photo #8 - A student expands their horizons during Middle School Project Week when students get behind-the-scenes experiences in a variety of fields.

Riverdale Country School Photo #9 - Located on 27.5 acres on two campuses in the Bronx, Riverdale provides an unparalleled student experience. Our campuses feature technology-enhanced classrooms, inspiring maker spaces, state-of-the-art science labs, dedicated arts spaces, extensive athletic facilities, and expansive outdoor areas for competition and play. The high challenge, high support community encourages students to engage in critical thinking and develop a love for lifelong learning, while providing them with the resources they require to succeed.

Riverdale Country School Photo #10 - The Middle School Storytelling club visits a community center. This is just one of dozens of different opportunities students may explore with our community partners. Service learning helps students develop into active global citizens.

Riverdale is a global leader in Pre-K through Grade 12 education.

Founded in 1907, we are dedicated to developing minds, building character, and fostering community- in service of changing the world for the good.

Our approach is often described as high challenge, high support.

We cultivate critical thinking through rigorous academics, scholarly, intimate teaching, open discourse, curiosity, and innovation.

Students are inspired by a dynamic curriculum that emphasizes learning by doing-through interdisciplinary study, research, travel, experiential learning, athletics, and a wide range of clubs and activities.

Spanning two campuses, our community is grounded in a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

We nurture students' sense of agency within an ethical and supportive environment, helping them grow as individuals with the character and confidence to become lifelong learners and compassionate global citizens.

Quick Facts (2025)

Top Ranked NY School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 1,309 students
Yearly Tuition: $59,412
Application Deadline: Nov. 17
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Riverdale Country School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Year Founded

1907

Colors

Grey, Maroon

Campus Size

Student Body

Total Students

1,309 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

48%

State avg.: 40%

Students by Grade

Riverdale Country School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

241 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 13:1

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Nov. 17

Yearly Tuition Cost

$59,412

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Total Educational Costs for 2025-2026 for Students in PreK-12th Grade: $69,300At Riverdale, our \"tuition\" includes lunch, books, and all required activities.

% on Financial Aid

20%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$49,336

Admissions Director

Jenna R. King

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

Total Sports Offered

22 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

102 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

Animal Welfare ClubAsian-American Alliance (AAA)

Best BuddiesBlack Student Association

Boys Leading BoysBuild-A-Ware

Bundles of JoyChallenged Athletes Foundation Club (CAF)

Change AgentsChess Club

Chinese Cultural ClubCity Meals on Wheels

Classics ClubCreative Writing

Culinary Culture Research ClubDebate

Economics and FinanceEngineering and Architecture Club

Entrepreneurship ClubExploring the Metaverse

Fashion Business ClubFeminist Club

Friday @ The MoviesGirls Learn International

Girls Who CodeGLOW (Gay, Lesbian or Whatever)

Habitat for HumanityHOLA (Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness)

Human Rights NowImpressions

iOS Club/Programming ClubJewish in New York

LEAD GirlsLiterary magazines (various)

Magic: The Gathering LunchMaker Alliance

Marine Conservation ClubMath Team

Meet Me in the MiddleMetaDale

Middle Eastern Culture and Appreciation ClubMock Trial

Model GovernmentModel U.N.

Multiracial and Multicultural studentsOpen Society

Our SpacePsychology Club

Queer Straight AllianceRCS Game Making and Game Design

RCSTVRiv Takes Action

Riverdale Arts OutreachRiverdale Blockchain and Crypto Club

Riverdale Community PartnersRiverdale Criminal Justice Coalition

Riverdale for RefugeesRiverdale History Magazine

Riverdale Review school newspaperRobin Hood

RoboticsRocketry Club

Role-Playing ClubRSPCA (Riverdale Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

SAGV (Students Against Gun Violence)Seneca

Side by SideSMART Team

Social Impact Investing ClubSpanish Club

SPARTASpoken Word Club

Sports AnalyticsSports Business and Management

Student CouncilStudent-Faculty Council

Students for Electric BusesStudio (homework help)

Summer Camp CommunitySustainability Club

The Association for Feminist ActionThe Friendly Fridge Club

The Geography ClubThe Medicine Club

The Storytelling ClubUSA Bio Olympiad Team

Women in BusinessWomen in Sports

YearbookYouth Fighting Homelessness

Zara's Connection ClubZawadi by Youth Microfinance Club

Show More (76)Hide

Arts and Music Programs:

After-School Art SquadCeramics

Dance TeamFilm Activity

MCE Club (Music Creation and Engineering Club)Riverdale Flume Ensemble

TestostertonesThe Rivertones

Thespians- Chapter

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Falcon Club (6th Grade Athletic Program)

School Notes

School Mascot: Falcon

Riverdale Country School aims to cultivate the unique talents of its students and to nurture their intellectual, creative, physical, moral, emotional, and social development.
Riverdale is a nonprofit, nondenominational institution that is governed by a Board of Trustees.
Riverdale Country School is the largest independent school campus in New York City, with a total of 27.5 acres: the 19.5-acre Middle and Upper School Hill Campus for Grades 6-12, and the 8-acre Lower School River Campus for Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 5.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Riverdale Country School cost?

Riverdale Country School's tuition is approximately $59,412 for private students.

What sports does Riverdale Country School offer?

Riverdale Country School offers 22 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo and Winter Track. Riverdale Country School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in New York for most sports offered.

What is Riverdale Country School's ranking?

Riverdale Country School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Riverdale Country School?

The application deadline for Riverdale Country School is Nov. 17.

In what neighborhood is Riverdale Country School located?

Riverdale Country School is located in the Fieldston neighborhood of Bronx, NY. There are 3 other private schools located in Fieldston.

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