Riverside Elementary School

2100 East Victory Road

School District

Boise Independent District
Grade

PK, K-6
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Boise Independent District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 28, 2021

The teachers and principal at this school are great, and really foster an environment of caring. If your student fits neatly in the bell-curve, you'll love it.Unfortunately, if your child is at either end of the learning spectrum (either with learning difficulties or gifted), it's an incredible challenge to get them supported. There seems to be little to no education on various learning disabilities for the teachers. When you're trying to find help for your student, you get gaslit from the school psychologist. We ended up paying for private testing and tutoring, which isn't an option for a lot of families. It breaks my heart to think of how many kids use fall through the cracks here.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2020

The new principal at this school is fantastic, we've seen a lot of positive changes and it's only his first year here.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2019

A few great years. Some teachers have political bias and teach kids their opinion rather than facts. She bashes the president to the kids. It is so sad and should not be permitted.
Submitted by parent on April 24, 2018

The Principal has created a high school-like atmosphere of judge mental and catty staff. Some teachers are phenomenal, but most talk behind your back and act in such a childish way that make you want nothing to do with the school. It is a very fake environment where I have had notes passed behind my back during meetings between the principal and other staff while they laugh. I have little faith in their administrative skills and the role models they are for my children.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2016

This school is top notch. I volunteer regularly, and every single time I am there I witness some kind of high quality interaction between staff and students. Teachers and staff put emphasis on praising good behavior, and setting the students up for successful learning. The curriculum is interesting and challenging for even the most advanced students. I love the amount of communication that comes home from the teachers and principal, mostly via email so we aren't buried in papers. The school counselor is highly involved in the classrooms, presenting lessons and connecting with the kids in order to foster emotional intelligence. The school librarian is outside every morning by the parking lot, greeting students as they come onto campus. It is such a nice environment that even I feel happier when I am there. My kids LOVE it here and are so happy that we moved to this school.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

We have two kids who have attended this school. This last year there was very lIttle respect for the students, yelling at the students by the Principal. Poor leadership makes teaching hard which affects the learning by the children. What good there used to be seems to be diminishing quickly. Thank goodness we moved so we will not have to be returning to that toxic environment.. We did meet some wonderful parents and their children but many of them we have talked with have chosen to leave the school too.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2014

My son attended kindergarten here this year and I was truly impressed with the LOVE, time and patience his teacher gave to every child. The parents I've came into contact with seemed extremely involved with their kids' education and their activities. It was a wonderful year! :)
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2014

This school is absolutely a miserable place. The workers and teachers are mean. They punish kids for anything. They made our kids not talk for a whole week because they were loud at lunch. They can't touch or talk anywhere else yet they punish them for being kids when they have a break. I heard from another mom that some classes withhold bathroom privileges unless kids earn good points. This was a good school but no more. I can't think of a more despicable place to have my kids and I will get mine out as quick as I can.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2013

Excellent! My daughter went in K with Mrs Hoetker. Huge progress, a lot of reading and home work (!). You have to spend much time with your child to keep up with home work. If you want an easy way with lots of movie and games then it is Mrs Jones classes. Both teachers are great and my daughter loves them.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2013

This school has gone downhill fast since Mr. Bond left. The new Principal only cares about her own career aspirations and has not problem stopping on everyone in this school. Policy before our children. Full length movies are shown all the time, teachers lie to parents, the Principal has divided the parents and cut their involvement in the school. So many families leaving this very broken school - the kids and education are last on the list of priorities at Riverside. Administrators only care about Policy and Parents only care about parties.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2012

I was amazed to see how cliquesh this school is even in Kindergarten. My daughter went into this school nearly reading and did not progress until I pulled her from this school towards the end of the year. The teacher that has taught Kindergarten at this school for many years is actually very cold to some of the children and my daughter was put in a time out because she was crying and missed her mom. I was really hoping this was going to be a great school, but it ended up getting my child off on the wrong start for her education. Hopefully the new princepal will be a better leader for this school.
Submitted by other on February 08, 2012

I did my student teaching here! I loved it! Everyone was so amazing and kind!
Submitted by parent on April 26, 2011

Out of the public elementary school choices in Boise, this is probably a pretty good school... well, for Idaho schools, it's probably a GREAT school, actually. I would like to describe why I rated things the way I did, however: Mr. Bond and admin is exceptional; they are excellent communicators, responsible, timely and support parents, kids and teachers in every way imaginable. I hope that the incoming new principle can fill the shoes that Mr. Bond will be leaving. Kindergarten teachers: changed during the years my kids were there; the recent addition of Mrs. Hoetker is unfortunate. After transfering out of state, my child is now "way behind" and having to catch up. This educator did nothing but test prep drills and assessments with the kindergartners and that has nearly turned my child (a kindergartner!) off of school. I'm rebuilding now and trying to bring her back around. Mrs. Spurgeon is an excellent educator and really helps inspire a love of learning and writing for the kids. Wakewood is a bully with bad teaching methods. She uses fear and intimidation; that may work for some kids, but for sensitive, high achievers, this woman is disastrous.
Submitted by parent on February 01, 2011

We moved from Texas 4 yrs ago & Mr. Bond was the only public school principal who would hear our unique situation & accept placement for our children, easily within district guidelines. I have been impressed that he has remembered all of our names since our first meeting. Teachers have been involved & amazing... Ms. Wakewood, Ms. Merkley, Mrs. Parsons, Ms. McKevitte, Mrs. Spurgeon, and the heart of the school, Tani Nelson, all deserve endless praise!! I have loved the extras Riverside does annually: run/walk club, manners lunches, silent auctions, community outreaches & educating the children on the value of charity, and so much more above & beyond just a classroom education. I would recommend Riverside Elem. to anyone with high expectations for academic and social success!