Riverview School

551 ROUTE 6A

Sandwich, MA 02537

17 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 06, 2022

My grandson Oliver has done fantastic at Riverview. It was a difficult time to transition during Covid-19 2020 to a residential program. They made it seamless. My Oliver is in the residential program called GROW now. Torrey Dorm we have found to be EXCEPTIONAL! They keep me up to date always. They are fostering his independence in a supportive environment. He now is talking to his peers. Instead of always retreating to his room. He is learning Job skills, how to use public transportation, Banking and nutrition and the role it plays in good health. He made waffles himself this morning he was so very proud of that. I cannot say enough good things about them. Strong family association group as well. As my grandson said to me." There are nothing but nice people here to help me." Sorry we did not find Riverview sooner. Best decision I ever made.
Submitted by other on March 04, 2017

Riverview literally turned my world upside down for the best. It all started in 2006 during the summer program. I was nervous at first, but then I really got used to it. The school has incredible teachers and a wonderful environment. Nurturing, caring and people who understand what people need emotionally and socially. I've been out of the school for 2 years now after spending 3 years at the GROW program (2012-2015) and it was one of the greatest decisions I could have ever made. I miss it already.
Submitted by other on August 23, 2016

Our daughter has flourished at Riverview. She has become far more independent and confident. For the first time in her life, she has a large group of friends and a wonderful, thriving social life. We have never seen happier. Also, she has gained critical vocational skills and job opportunities. Sending her there has been a leap of faith, and we are so grateful we did! We have peace of mind that she is safe and happy while gaining vital progress to help her fulfill her potential.
Submitted by other on August 17, 2016

"I see my daughter, and all the students at Riverview School developing confidence and competence in all areas of their lives. It is really beautiful - a dream come true! Thank you to all the teaching staff, residential-dorm staff, administration and all staff at Riverview, truly exceptional people!" ~Grateful and proud parent
Submitted by other on August 17, 2016

My son's social and language disabilities have improved significantly. He is much more independent that I ever thought he would be. Riverview has informed us regarding his triumphs and his missteps. They have viewed all of his mistakes as "teachable moments". They scaffold the learning, so he faces challenges that do not overload his stress capacity. In this way, he can function without a huge amount of anxiety. The staff also helps with socialization as well as academics. Our son now operates as a member of our family. When we first came to Riverview, our family was completely centered around him. He helps plan vacations, cleans the house, calls relatives to stay in touch, and takes care of his own priorities and possessions. Riverview has a plan for their own growth (i.e. vocational programs, employee benefits, and infrastructure) which in turn, is instrumental in the growth of their students. Whenever I have called with a question or concern, I have felt satisfied with the interaction. My son has tried new activities, foods, and experiences at Riverview. Riverview has helped him move out of his comfort zone and move into a learning zone. We can't thank them enough!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2016

I don't even know where to begin. My son Justin was at Riverview for 5 years. He began as a junior and continued until he graduated from the GROW program. The life skills he learned, the friends he made and the staff that guided him were priceless. A bonus is that my husband and I have made lifelong friends also. Best education ever. Thank you Riverview .
Submitted by parent on August 14, 2016

Very disappointed - We were enamored by RV and how good it looked, and the reports from other parents. Our son liked it a lot and seemed to make friends. However the teachers and dorm staff have a very variable skill level, and some where clearly out of their depth. The school also does not want to deal with any 'behaviors', which is astounding taking into account that these are special ed kids. Far to keen to throw out kids which are generally doing well, and a few not unanticipated behaviors show up and the school gives up completely - very disappointed and disillusioned with the school, which we had high hopes for and advocated and fund raised for - what a waste of time and money!
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2016

My son was treated well for seven and a half years. I agree that coaching for independence and direct instruction is missing. The academic expectations are very low. Over the years the student to staff ratio increased as more students were enrolled and a broader range of disabilities served. More students were enrolled at both the high and low end of ability. During his final year, a behavior problem developed. I was not notified of the concern, and no attempt by the school was made to help my son overcome his difficulty with a specific staff member, who had treated him disrespectfully in the past. No contact was made with his local therapist. Before expelling him, we were asked to have an expensive evaluation performed. After he came home, no one from the school contacted us to see how he was doing. I so regret the fundraising I did and the help I gave freely.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2016

Attending Riverview for 6 years was transformational for our daughter. All the teachers, sports coaches, residential staff, art teachers , you name it, are trained to bring out the best in each kid with lots of positive reinforcement . Social skills training is incorporated into everyday life at Riverview. The staff really work as a team getting to know each student really well and helping them overcome challenges. The kids there are happy - for the first time, they have a social life and are in a place where people understand them and value them. My daughter matured so quickly there, and gained enormous self confidence participating in the many activities they offer to the students. I can't say enough good things about this remarkable school.
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2015

Riverview school could be the right choice if you have no expectation of your child being independent. There pedagogy is practically nonexistent lacking both direction and efficacy. The faculty and staff view them selves as babysitters/caregivers instead of professional educators committed to the advancement of their students. The one positive aspect is that the students are happy. If your child is uneducable, want him/her to be happy, and have money to burn this school is perfect.
Submitted by other on April 27, 2014

This school is okay for the most part. I have noticed though that a lot of the students here don't appear to have any social or academic problems. A lot of the kids here seem 100 percent normal to me. The really good thing about this school though is that bullying is very rare here compared to most schools. So overall I'd say that even though this school doesn't really have kids here with actual disabilities it's still a very friendly place.
Submitted by parent on February 28, 2014

My daughter attended Riverview School from the 10th grade through a forth year of the GROW program. She is a young lady with autism spectrum disorder, a slightly below average IQ, and a tremendous desire to learn. At Riverview she thrived, being given the opportunity to express herself, learn important life skills, make wonderful friends and above all develop a sense of self that has allowed her to be successful in her transition to independent living. I am so proud of her every day and realize that the staff and teachers at Riverview deserve many thanks for their support and for working tirelessly to provide my daughter with an environment that was nurturing, practical, challenging and unforgetable! What she took away is irreplacable. We will be forever grateful.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

Our daughter has attended Riverview since her freshman year of high school. She graduated, then transitioned to GROW, the post-high school program. We feel so fortunate that she's had the opportunity to develop her academic, social and independence skills as a member of this supportive and caring learning community. Her self advocacy skills have blossomed, as have friendships with her peers. As in any school, there is a range of ability and issues among the student body, but what is most important and clearly evident are the strengths and talents of each individual student. The beauty of Riverview is the way each student is supported to achieve their personal best and accepted as the unique individual they are. Our daughter sees herself as a capable young woman and has gained the skills to manage her life successfully as a young adult. We believe this self confidence will enable her to be successful! Employment and independent living are achievable goals thanks to all she has gained as a student at Riverview. Administration, staff and faculty have always communicated openly and professionally, been open to our concerns and displayed respect for our family.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

Riverview School provided our daughter with the knowledge, experience and most importantly, the confidence to go out into the world, become employed, become a contributing member of her community and to live independently in her own apartment. None of that would have been possible without the tools Riverview gave her. Many kids with disabilities have trouble becoming active participants in school. At Riverview, all students have the opportunity to play on the sports teams, have the lead role in the school play, go to the school prom and have friends with whom they can enjoy all the normalcies of adolescence. This is a priceless gift and the confidence it inspires, in both students and their families, allows them to become independent adults.
Submitted by parent on February 25, 2014

Riverview School was a life saver for our family and especially for our daughter! She's on the autism spectrum, very bright & determined, but needed a strong, comprehensive program where the expectations and goals were consistent across residential, social, and school life. That was Riverview! After 4 years there, she left at 21 because she felt competent and excited to go out in the world! She's worked in a restaurant ever since, using many skills she learned at school. Since returning home, she's also gotten a driver's license, bought her own car, and is saving to start her own business, all things that were unthinkable when she went away to school there! Riverview helped guide her (and us) towards achieving her many goals, and we'll be forever indebted to the dedicated, caring, smart, and well appointed staff. There were all types of students there, some with obvious deficits, others that displayed very few issues, and all had friends, a place to bloom and grow, and became accepting and loving towards all. What a gift! I only really wish there was a school like this in every single community!
Submitted by other on July 17, 2013

I agree this is not a good choice for higher-functioning students. I was there from 2009-2012 and at first it was great, then the population got lower-functioning each year. Now, its all kids with Down syndrome or severe delays and such. The staff gossip behind students' back expecting them not to hear it. They also are so obsessed with it being "individualized" that soon they turn that into making excuses individualized to each child rather than helping them overcome their issues. After-school activities weren't structured enough, basically all we did was watch games in the gym or sit around bored. Summer program is too repetitive. I was there 4 years and it didn't change a bit. The health & wellness program scared kids to death over things unlikely to happen.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2012

This school is great if your child has no way of ever livving on their own If however they are high functioning and have an IQ above 70 this is definitely not the school for them, The staff have no idea how to teach or deal with a student who can actually speak their mind or advocate for themselves