The River School Photo #5 - The River School offers an inviting, inclusive space for learning where children (18 months - Grade 5) are inspired to observe, wonder and experiment in a nurturing environment. We provide a strong academic foundation through creative, evidence-based teaching. Children are inspired to love learning, become critical thinkers, solve problems, and engage in meaningful inquiry. We are a caring, connected community.

The River School

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The River School Photo #1 - The River School offers an inviting, inclusive space for learning where children (18 months - Grade 5) are inspired to observe, wonder and experiment in a nurturing environment. We provide a strong academic foundation through creative, evidence-based teaching. Children are inspired to love learning, become critical thinkers, solve problems, and engage in meaningful inquiry. We are a caring, connected community.
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The River School Photo #1 - The River School offers an inviting, inclusive space for learning where children (18 months - Grade 5) are inspired to observe, wonder and experiment in a nurturing environment. We provide a strong academic foundation through creative, evidence-based teaching. Children are inspired to love learning, become critical thinkers, solve problems, and engage in meaningful inquiry. We are a caring, connected community.
The River School Photo #2 - In addition to the classroom experience, River students engage in drama, science, music, visual arts, PE., creative movement and library sciences, lead by our Arts & Sciences teachers. River students are encouraged every day to ask questions, explore and discover.
The River School Photo #3 - The River School's unique co-teaching model pairs a master's level educator with a speech-language pathologist in each classroom. Our thematic curriculum is designed to enliven learning across the domains, building each year as a student moves through our Preschool, Elementary and Upper Elementary programs. Children thrive in an environment of experiential and collaborative learning.
The River School Photo #4 - Mouth Time is an integral part of River's Language Arts Program for children 18 months to 4 - 5 years of age. Led by the classroom speech-language pathologist, these lessons are part of every school day, lasting anywhere from 10-25 minutes. Five key parameters are addressed: oral motor, auditory processing, speech production, vocabulary and concepts, and phonological awareness skills.
The River School Photo #5 - River's innovative thematic curriculum provides children with an array of multi-sensory learning experiences related to a chosen topic. It is an effective way to promote student's development of a rich vocabulary and the concepts and experiences young children need to become effective readers and communicators. Key components include: collaborative theme selection; carefully designed environments; socio-dramatic interaction; and literacy experiences.
The River School Photo #6 - River's Upper Elementary program (Grade 4 -5 currently) features: immersive learning with extended periods of active engagement; a progressive model with time for inquiry exploration, innovation, collaboration, and making; off-campus Field Studies one day each week; and cross-disciplinary connections across all subjects throughout the school day.
Since 2000, The River School has been dedicated to nurturing children 18 months through Grade 5 (currently) with its premier, personalized education.
The school`s one-of-a-kind inclusion model pairs a master`s level educator and a speech-language pathologist in each classroom, and focuses on language, literacy and personal and social development.
Classroom practice emphasizes experiential and collaborative learning, using thematic curriculum to seamlessly integrate Literacy, Math, Social Studies, Science, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, PE, Library Sciences, and Creative Movement.  Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked DC School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
  • Enrollment: 223 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $28,575
  • Acceptance rate: 68%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The River School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in District Of Columbia for:

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-5
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1999

Student Body

Total Students
223 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
40%
State avg.: 46%
Students by Grade
The River School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
43 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
95%
Average Class Size
12 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $14,015 (preschool, 2 mornings) to $42,525 (K-Grade 5)
% on Financial Aid
25%
Acceptance Rate
68%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Megan Campbell
Admissions Associate
Lenka Folger
Endowment Size
$4.1 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered
3 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Chess, Cooking, Destination Imagination (STEAM), Lego Robotics, River Art, Spanish with Language Stars, Textiles, Tinkering

School Notes

The River School is dedicated to serving children 18 months through Grade 5 with its premier, personalized education. What sets us apart?
  • Innovative co-teaching model includes a full-time speech-language pathologist and master's level educator in every class
  • Graduate student training program that enhances classroom practice and children's experienceSmall class sizes
  • Child-centered classrooms with a focus on social-emotional development
  • Respect for students' voices in the learning journey
  • Multi-curricular, standards-based, research-backed teaching approachProprietary language arts programs
  • Experiential and collaborative learning through the use of themes that promotes language, vocabulary and academic skills across the curriculum
  • Play-based, focused on developmentally appropriate practice in Preschool
  • Project-based, immersive, inquiry-driven learning experiences in Elementary and Upper Elementary
  • Diverse and inclusive classrooms help develop enriched perspectives and a greater understanding of the world
  • Committed community of learners, with professional development for faculty, graduate student training, parent-education programs and family engagement, adds richness and depth to our program
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The River School cost?
The River School's tuition is approximately $28,575 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The River School?
The acceptance rate of The River School is 68%, which is higher than the national average of 60%.
What sports does The River School offer?
The River School offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Soccer and Track and Field.
What is The River School's ranking?
The River School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in District Of Columbia for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The River School?
The application deadline for The River School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
In what neighborhood is The River School located?
The River School is located in the Northwest Washington neighborhood of Washington, DC. There are 60 other private schools located in Northwest Washington.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Top Ranked DC School
  • School Type: Alternative School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
  • Enrollment: 223 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $28,575
  • Acceptance rate: 68%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Washington, DC is $29,237 for elementary schools and $35,524 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Washington, DC is 60% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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