Riverstone International School

5521 East Warm Springs Avenue

Boise, ID 83716

41 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 12, 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.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 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.
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on September 15, 2024

I couldn’t 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.
Submitted by parent on 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!
Submitted by parent on 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 don’t 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.”
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2024

We absolutely love Riverstone International School! This year has been incredible for our son, and we’ve 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 couldn’t be happier with our choice. Highly recommend Riverstone for anyone looking for an amazing, individualized education experience!
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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, there’s 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 can’t 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!
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by other on September 03, 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!
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by other on 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 Riverstone’s 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.
Submitted by other on 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!
Submitted by other on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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 transparency3) mass exodus of teachers every year4) lack of basic safety protocols, including fencing around open play areas, supervised recess or lunch5) 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.
Submitted by parent on 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.