Riverhead Charter School

3685 Middle Country Road

Calverton, NY 11933

School District

Riverhead Charter School
Grade

K-11
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:11
Type

charter

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 student on March 02, 2024

This school is horrible, the tribulations I undergo as a student in Riverhead charter school are no better than if I were to be attending a prison. The food is horrible, majority of the teachers don't make a hard enough attempt to cater to the students learning abilities and the teachers are unqualified. In all honesty, I attend small groups during independent work for math as I often find it hard to understand but a good majority of the time is the female teachers talking with the girls in the group, and the time they do manage to stay on task they move very fast.
Submitted by other on September 27, 2023

This school is completely out of hand, when the kids are struggling with the work the teachers donnot help at all. Then when the kids dont raise their hand to ask a question they get mad at the kids.... Make it make sense?! Thats that, then second, when a kid is aguing with another student nd ond kid gets good grade and the other dosent the teacher will send out the student with low grades nd will be on the kids with good grades side.... Thease "bad" kids that the teachers claim the school has are need to be hurd not shamed. They are missunderstood kids who want to do better but that cant happend if everyone there is pushing them to do stuff thst causes their behavior. Please dont send your child to this school, is complete torture snd will set up your kid for failure.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2022

This is the best school in riverhead
Submitted by student on March 12, 2022

Unprofessional, they don’t teach you helpful things. They just pick favorites and make “bad kids” feel left out
Submitted by other on March 12, 2022

This school preaches about being equal and everyone having a good opportunity to explore and learn as an equal classmate to everyone else yet they always picked favorites and the kids they ruled out as “problematic” were never put in pictures nor videos, and never allowed to go into the special events. I honestly never felt so left out as a kid until i went to this school. I was blamed for stuff I never did. But they never wanted to look into it and they believed the kids who had a better grade than me instead of taking the issues seriously. I don’t recommend this school if you have a kid that’s introverted or can be seen as “misunderstood” this school will push that into your child’s head and then your kid will think they’re not worth as much as all the other kids there. This school did NOT treat me right, now I am stuck with trying to get these terrible habits off of me all because this school made me feel like I wasn’t capable of doing anything or being anything because I was not at the same speed as everyone else. Terrible place to send your kids.
Submitted by student on March 27, 2017

Principal is un perffesional in a lot of ways
Submitted by other on March 14, 2016

My daughter has had a wonderful experience at this school. We look forward to her continuing through 8th grade.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2016

The principal always has his face in his cell phone and is very unapproachable. He avoids dealing with issues, especially those that happen on the bus. His dean is useless. I pulled my child from this school and glad I did! I happened to read the articles about the principals twitter account and how bad he treats his staff! I was mortified! He has a potty mouth! What a joke!
Submitted by other on October 29, 2014

The principle Mr. Arkrum has worked very hard to filter out all staff members who chose to believe in a Union including the Union President. There are all new teachers with less than 2 years experience and are under Mr. Arkum rule!! There are no bad kids only bad behavior that need to be redirected. I like to know why bad kids don't deserve a place at that school? I know they are not special needs friendly. This school has a lot a things going on that are not very good including the principle!!
Submitted by parent on June 22, 2014

The principal and teachers of this school do care and Mr Ankrum has worked very hard this past year to filter out poor staff and bad kids that don't deserve a place there. Children are pushed and encouraged a lot but for their own good. Any child under Mr Ankrum's watch is safe and this can't be stressed enough. 5 stars for the principal. The staff that are efficient, have high energy and enjoy their work. No child gets left behind at this school!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2014

I think that RCS is fantastic. With 70% minority student enrollment and zero disorder this school is the definition of unity, tolerance and diversification. I wouldn't want my child anywhere else. The teachers and students are held to a high standard which is why they continue to be successful.
Submitted by parent on June 06, 2014

We used to love RCS, but no longer. My older children attended and had a wonderful experience. The school was growing, adding new programs, and improving every year. When my youngest started last year, we started to see changes we didn't like. The new principal got rid of the best, most experienced, most creative teachers and hired a lot of brand new, freshly-graduated teachers in their places. Our favorite art teacher left at the end of last year, one of the music teachers left, and now the other music teacher has disappeared. It's true what another parent said---the best teachers seem to just vanish, and nobody is told why.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2014

RCS is not a school I would recommend. It used to be a wonderful place, with caring teachers and a close-knit, family atmosphere. With the new principal, everyone is tested to death with an excessive homework load, and achievement scores, from NYSSMA to ELA and Math, are going DOWN. All that paperwork, and the students aren't learning! I would avoid this place like the plague, until they clean house in administration and make a fresh start.
Submitted by parent on April 06, 2014

Let me just start off by saying my children are very fortunate to have such a wonderful school to attend. I have been nothing but pleased with everything about Riverhead charter school. I pulled my children out of the school district we live in because my oldest child was not having a good experience there. I am absolutely happy with the choice I made to put them in RCS . The school is still developing but it will only continue to exceed .Education and self growth are some of the top priorities this school offers for the children. All of the teachers have been wonderful . My youngest daughter couldn't read when she started kindergarten. After enrolling her into rcs that october she learned to read exceptionally wellwithin a few short months. I have nothing but great and positive things to say .Everyone I know and meet I recommend them . My children are learning so much . My son will also start kindergarten this September.I love that parents are welcome to voice their opinions and are able to be fully evolved in every aspect of their childs academics.
Submitted by other on March 31, 2014

I am seeing for myself & thru others that our reviews are being taken down! How sad that a select few individuals think they have the power to intimidate us as well as their coworkers! I applaud the teachers who are finally speaking out against their coworkers & administration! Investigations have been launched by several organizations & hopefully justice will be served. The background of the principal needs to be looked into closely, there are some serious allegations against him! The education of our children is the #1 priority here. We need teachers and administration that actually care & go over & above for the sake of the children. I wont deny that some of the staff that was let go needed to go but some great teachers were fired only because they refused to be bullied into going against their own beliefs. The inner workings of the school are the parents, as well as the publics business! I don't want my children being taught by someone who is afraid he/she is going to lose his/her job. When the teachers are being intimidated, threatened, bullied & shunned they can not perform their job to the best of their capability! Also, has the principal forgotten there is a dress code?
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2014

I am very happy with my child's education from RCS. We have been at the school for 2 years now and yes there have been staffing changes but I trust the principal and board have my child's best interest in mind when making these decisions. If an employee is not working to the schools standards then they should be let go. My sons teachers have always been warm and welcoming. I receive phone and email responses quickly, even after hours and on weekends. I couldn't be happier with the school. My sons loves it there and always looks forward to going to school.
Submitted by parent on March 15, 2014

As a proud parent of one alumni student and one present of RCS, I have nothing but positive things to say. Both my daughters attended RCS since kindergarden. My oldest daughter graduated two years ago and now attends our district school, only because at the time of graduation RCS only went up to 6th grade. Because of the education she received at RCS she is in all honors classes and remains on high honor roll throughout the quarters. My second daughter who currently attends RCS can run rings around other students in my school district (no offense). My last daughter will be attending RCS this coming school year 2014-15 and I only expect the best for her as well. My son who is only two years old will also be attending RCS when his time come. I recommend RCS to any parent who desires a great education for their child or children. Principal Ankrum is a great asset to the school!!! He provides nothing but positive improvements to the school as well as for his students. Keep up the good work RCS!!!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2014

I am a proud parent of a Riverhead Charter School student whose child attended public school during the school year of 2011-2012. Last year (school year 2012-2013), I decided to enroll my child into Riverhead Charter School. Thus far, I have to say I am pleased with my child's success at RCS and I have nothing but positive things to say about the school. I have noticeably seen positive changes take place within my child, which I attribute to my child attending RCS. Having my child attend Riverhead Charter School is a choice, my choice. A chosen opportunity that allows my child to receive the benefits of a quality education designed to be based on private schools standards in conjuction with public school options. Riverhead Charter School is aiming to become a school of excellence. And, in time I do believe under the leadership of the principal Mr. Ankrum, his staff, and continued positive changes taking place within the school and staff, this school will achieve their goal. I would recommend RCS to any parent looking for a quality education in a school where their child is exposed to a diverse student body while learning. Signed......Proud Parent of a RCS Student
Submitted by teacher on March 13, 2014

RCS is an amazing school!!! Mr. Ankrum is a highly supportive administrator. While working with him, I have been continually impressed with his commitment to excellence. He is uncompromising in his efforts to provide quality education for his students and never loses sight of students and their needs. He is a person of high integrity who places students at the forefront of everything he does. Mr. Ankrum has strong people skills and has earned a reputation as someone who listens to and respects other voices and opinions.
Submitted by other on March 13, 2014

As an informed member of the RCS community, I can whole-heartedly state that RCS makes decisions based on what is best for students. To those who posted previously regarding teachers "vanishing" and "disappearing" -- yes, there have been staffing changes, but each of these changes was made because children were not receiving the instruction they deserve! Looking forward to the opening of the new building which will provide many amenities that RCS students have been dreaming of for many years: a library, art room, cafeteria/gymnasium, etc.. Great things ahead for RCS!