Riverfield School

1625 Mill Plain Road

School District

Fairfield
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:12
Type

public

School Map for Fairfield School 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 December 27, 2023

Great experience for my kids. Great parents and teachers.
Submitted by other on November 09, 2020

When Riverfield was under construction they didn’t have a plan so they could still have the spring Carnival. Because they didn’t have a plan on how to still have the carnival, the carnival was canceled.
Submitted by parent on October 24, 2019

Overall I'm very pleased with the education my kids are receiving. The school has strong leadership and a staff that is extremely engaged and aligned with one another. I spend a lot of time in the school due to events that I chair, so I see things in action. It's clear that the kids love to be there. The teachers and staff are dedicated. My oldest went on to middle school last year, and he was well-prepared. That's all you can ask for.
Submitted by parent on September 25, 2018

Fantastic experience at Riverfield. The school has new technology and the faculty are amazing. Wouldn't want to be at any other school. They also handle students with disabilities fairly. Any parent that has negative comments about the school or Principal does not have realistic expectations.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2018

We started Riverfield in September and I can honestly say, we have had a horrible experience thus far. We've had numerous meetings with the principal and none have been effective. The principal is extremely unprofessional, an example is approaching a parent regarding an incident at morning drop off in front of other parents, and discussing the incident in a loud manner. During meeting she does not allow parents, or staff to speak, she speaks over and interrupts. She has her staff under her thumb and as a parent who has a child who was threatened, assaulted and intimidated for months, we have had a horrible experience and had to hire an attorney to ensure our childs safety.
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2017

I have three children in Riverfield currently. We have been in the school for 6 years. Great teachers and leadership, strong test scores. The Principal won the blue ribbon immediately prior to coming to Riverfield in 2011, and she is transforming this school in a similarly positive direction. Positive environment, strong curriculum, Principal has turned over the (few) weaker teachers and replaced with hand-selected choices. Our experience has been great.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2016

We are only halfway through kindergarten so obviously, we have a ways to go and this has been my first public school experience having only dealt with pre-school before-but I must say that so far both my husband and I are very impressed. Our son loves school, loves the teachers and staff including the principal who to me seems great. Not sure what others are complaining about-she seems very invested in knowing the kids and making the school a safe and warm place. She does have a quirky sense of humor-perhaps if you have no sense of humor you will not like her? Any inquiry I have made or email I have sent has been answered right away with a thoughtful response and in just 4 months of kindergarten my son is reading, writing and spelling in a way I did not expect so soon. if that doesn't speak for the school doing a good job I don't know what does...
Submitted by other on November 23, 2015

This school has been on a very steep decline since the change over in Principals about 4 years ago. The present Principal is inappropriate and crosses the line with students, parents and staff. This has created an extremely negative environment for all. Very sad.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2015

Luckily, we decided to rent until we found the best fit for our family. We feel Fairfield is a good fit, but not Riverfield. Even with the high rating, there is nothing interesting about this school. There is a lack of communication between the school and families. In fact, I have even been told, "oh, that's initiation" what am I doing, going out for a fraternity? I want to know what's going on with my kids and be involved, not left out! Even though my 1st grader is reading 3rd grade level, the teacher insists my child should be reading the 1st grade level books given. We make weekly trips to the library to fill the gap. My child loves school, friends, learning, but is ultimately board with the work given at school and does amazing work at home to fill the void. And the art teacher gives preschool like projects to the students! Learning colors in 1st grade, what?? Both my kids learned colors at age 2. I spoke with parents from other schools in the area, it sounds like much more interesting things are happening at a handful of other Fairfield schools. This has led me to make the decision to home school next year. Oh, the PE teacher is excellent, that's something.
Submitted by parent on June 23, 2014

Riverfield completely failed my child. She is dyslexic and they refused to test her with the claim "she'll catch up, she's young". She came in to kindergarten with letters from her preschool teachers stating that while she was " bright and socially on par with peers, some piece was missing as she wasn't learning incidentally as the other children were". I made a written request for a PPT and they offered her reading support. After a miserable 2 years with Riverfield I pulled her and her lie self esteem out of there and brought her to Coleytown in Westport. They, without my even asking, figured out there was" something missing" and asked our permission to test her. Turns out she has a very high IQ yet is dyslexic. Will start fourth grade next year and is back to the happy, confident girl who knows while it will always be a struggle to read and write, she is learning strategies to assist her in the best possible way. Thank god we were able to move her. If you have a " mainstream" child I'm sure it's a great school. If your child is a different learner or struggling, try somewhere else.
Submitted by other on March 12, 2014

I hate this school! The principal is rude and into power, also the teachers are horrible. Some of the worst teachers I've ever had have been here. I am gifted and this school does not challenge me or do and better with special need children. I have 6 staff members that currently work here that are rude. This school is all about unnecessary discipline also we spend about 20% of are time doing patriotic things. There is nothing wrong with that they are just forcing beliefs on us. The principal makes my friends and I feel horrible for doing nothings its like she's following you when your trying to learn. Some staff members have been so crazy that I come home and cry and complain to my parents they try to take action against the teacher but she just punishes me for it. I feel so bad for the special need children they are always being yelled at like they can help it. I am so glad that i wwill no longer be at this school next year i hate it somebody needs to do something about these teachers and the principal.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2013

As a teacher in another district with kids at this school I can attest that Riverfield has its act together! The faculty and staff are professional, caring, and there is a great sense of community. The new principal has clearly instilled a proactive attitude when it comes to addressing student needs. I was thrilled to hear from my son's reading intervention teacher on the FIRST day of school. This school is definitely moving in the right direction.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2013

Riverfield Elementary is a an amazing school. The teachers are extremely professional and well connected to the students needs. The new principle is has formalized the curriculum for all grades and worked hard to achieve the best learning environment for the students. As a parent there is a great community feel and plenty of opportunities to be involved or volunteer.
Submitted by parent on November 21, 2012

As a former Elementary School teacher, this is the worst school I've ever experienced. I have 4 chikdren and we've moved throughout the US And now have my youngest in 3rd grade at riverfield . Her teacher is burnt out and agitated and even short with me when I try to reach out. My daughter is very shy and really takes it personally when the teacher scolds the special needs children constantly. She's also so distracted with other teachers coming into help children who need help. I thought every class was inclusion but seems like hers is filled with behavioral boys. Maybe this is why her teacher is so frustrated. The Principal ought to spend time in each class to see how the children are being treated. This is the gossip of the town nut no one wants to step forward! I would have bought my home in another school district if I knew what goes on here. They're academically behind also but that's not the worst problem. Do not go there. It will take the new Principal years to fire all of the terrible staff.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2012

i went to this school and it was one of the worst periods of my life. This was 20 years ago plus but as I plan the life and set the educational goals for my child, this experience is my guide on what to NOT do. The lack of cultural diversity and sensitivity, dismissive attitude of the facility, and poor leadership will forever be with me. I had a couple of family members attend this school and they had the same experience. Hopefully they have made some fundamental changes within Riverfield. I attended K-6 and remember the dred I felt at the beginning of each school year, and how the reckless and insensitive behavior of the teachers and principal made me feel as a young person. An experience I will never forget but am thankful becuase I know very clearly what I will not tolerate for my daughter and what to look for in a school overall.