Riverdale Baptist School

1133 Largo Road

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

35 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 30, 2023

Riverdale academics are above the public school's in PG County. My child informed me multiple times of transfers who come in from public schools behind the curve in what they are currently learning. Unfortunately, the school is older and we have experienced several maintenance issues which closes the school. It is also a religious school so they do not participate in many social activities including prom's. Most recently the high school principal left and was replaced with the history teacher, when she left her entire family who all held positions in the school left with her. To me it was a very obvious "hook-up" and now the freshman who are now sophomore's had to deal with such a significant change. Same for the Football program, i believe all resources are placed into their baseball program. Riverdale is a good school but it really seems like they are stuck in the 70s. They also lack transportation and you have to pay for before or after care services. For almost $14k a year you would think you would get more than just a good curriculum. I would still recommend this school cause education is what matters most but for parents considering this school be mindful that's all that the school will offer as well.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2022

We love this school, and our child is doing absolutely great. The teachers and staff are engaged, and we see amazing results. This is our 2nd year and we would dare not remove them from this school for public or different private school.
Submitted by parent on January 21, 2021

I usually don't write reviews, but I felt compelled to do one for RBS. Now this review IS important and different from others, because we are in a pandemic, this year has been 100% virtual. I am parent of current Kindergartner at RBS, so my child started their first year of school, online. I started the school year very anxious and worried if my child would retain the lessons via an Ipad. It is the beginning of 3rd quarter, I can not expressed how happy and impressed I am with the school and the K5 teacher. The instructional materials being provided, the patience and time given to each individual child is amazing. Never leaving a child behind, the materials and proper study plans given to parents to assist their child outside of instruction time. My child is doing amazing in virtual learning at RBS, and I can only imagine what it will be like when we return to the classroom. I am so proud of how well my child is doing with their learning skills. Just a little background, I did not go over ABC's, counting, etc, at home, the daycare did this for me. Never stressed it at home, my child loves playing on the ipad, and never cared for "learning time" when I did try to incorporate it. With the instruction and guidance of RBS's amazing K5 teacher, my child is soaring in academics. It was important for me to do this review because this time last year, I was the parent researching schools/reading reviews online, trying to find the perfect school for virtual learning. So I wanted to give my true experience of this school for parents trying to figure it out right now. It's hard trying to find a good school, but to find a good school during a pandemic and figure out which school is providing the best education virtually to is NEXT LEVEL challenging/stressful. I thank God for guiding me in this decision. We are re-enrolled for 1st grade next year, and I am so excited for my little one. When I tell people the amount of work they do in K5, their response is "that's so much for a 5 y/o". Let me tell you, YOUR CHILD CAN DO ANYTHING. This type momentum in the virtually or in the classroom is the path to success, and I am happy this is how we started our child's academic career. Praying for the parents looking for schools at this moment. You got this!
Submitted by other on January 20, 2021

I attended RBS five years through middle school and high school. While I struggled with grades due to ADD, I had many teachers and staff who encouraged me and assisted in my learning. Even through our 2020 year (Covid and all) RBS had us prepared to keep learning from the beginning of the pandemic. My senior year was my best year as a student! They did their best to see we had a great experience despite being "locked out". I look forward to the school reopening when athletes and scholars both walk the halls and run on the fields and courts! I am prepared to face college life due to the academic and spiritual preparations I received at RBS.
Submitted by parent on November 13, 2019

RBS was once a prominent school, YEARS ago. RBS is currently at it’s ALL TIME LOW!!! Some classes are over crowded (26 or more) kids in some classes due to firing of teachers. Yet, tuition continues to increase EVERY year. RBS should be a positive and Christ centered experience for ALL that attend, not a select few. I give the school a ZERO!!!
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2019

My experience has been good. Our faith is affirmed, my 3 kids have adult advocates when they have challenges, the staff are helpful and a joy to interact with. Recent administrative changes have sent us into a place of transition, but I am confident that school is on the upswing.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2019

It’s not worth the money, they need a change. They do not have any up to date processes to educate. Antiquated style of teaching. The iPads are for show, the students rarely use them. Teachers do not assign any assignments using current technology. They are so far behind. A public school would be better. Student teacher ratio is on the public school level.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2018

Honestly freshman year was an adjustment but by 2nd half all was better. I found communication and involvement in your child's school lesson/activities made a big difference. Get to know the administration and athletic coaches. Could it use some improvement? Of course, what school couldn't. The student body has improved (a lot of the behavioral issues are gone). Some staff need improvement. It is not okay for a teacher to yell at a student, go back and forth with a student arguing or just ignore a students needs for help. Loyalty to longevity is not the way to go. A teacher should desire to teach not show up for the pay. I know teachers have bad days, we're all human. There are teachers there who desire to teach. Someone mentioned teachers fixing grades for athletes, well the athlete aren't aware of this because if so you wouldn't end up ineligible for activities list .Also someone mentioned school has a lot of gay people in it. If you are talking to your child and their teen friends, it is not at RBS only, it is in other private and public schools.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2018

As a teacher and a parent of a high school student, RBS is much more effective than other local CHRISTian schools. While private schools may be more effective academically or athletically, if you are seeking CHRISTian instruction and a biblical world-view, RBS is the school. Many teachers come early and stay late . . .even until 7pm or later tutoring, assisting and attending events. Do not believe the comments from students and families who did not agree with the biblical standards or conduct required.
Submitted by student on March 14, 2018

I went to Riverdale Baptist for two years of high school and learned absolutely nothing. I was treated horribly by the staff, and the school only cares about the athletics programs and the students involved. They change the grades of athletes so they can pass them to gain more recognition for their school while letting non athletic students drown in overwhelming tests and quizzes with lack of teaching. They pick and choose which students to punish and how severe the punishment based on popularity. The student body's SAT scores are poor and they majority of the students who are passing are cheating, all while the staff turns a blind eye. Sending your child to Riverdale Baptist would not only be a grave mistake, but a disservice to your child. Take my word for it, Riverdale Baptist School's name will not live up to the expectations. Dr. Harris and Mr. Brown are the worst thing to have ever happened to the school and if send your child there you will realize that soon enough.
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2017

I love elementary, middle and high school require better teachers.
Submitted by parent on February 17, 2017

Great school with caring and dedicated teachers!
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

It is very difficult to say a school promotes Christian values when teachers and administrators constantly bully and oppress the students. If your child is NOT an elite athlete this is NOT the school for you. The new Dean of Students - Tarik Harris - endorses a do as I say not as I do policy. The HS Principal Delano Brown is an RBS graduate who repeatedly makes promises to parents and guarantees that are not met and follow through is non-existent. Mr. Harrisson - Administrator - mysteriously disappears when sought out to address or resolve issues raised by parents.Teachers do not feel it is necessary to provide accurate grades -- or grades at all and when they do - if asked to provide copies of graded schoolwork -- no response or an excuse why it is not possible is common place. (The Administration refuses to address)If you pay tuition - do not expect to be respected unless you have something other than on time tuition payments to offer. If your child IS an elite athlete you will be respected and permitted to do whatever you please as long as the team wins.
Submitted by parent on July 31, 2016

Riverdale was changing when we were there. My daughter did great things there and has continued her education elsewhere and I truly believe Riverdale got her prepared! i do believe Mr. Harrison was making changes for the greater good. He's always been upfront and honest. It's sad to see one disgruntled parent try to smash the schools reputation! Keep doing what you do Mr. Harrison! More great things to come!
Submitted by parent on June 30, 2016

My son has attended Riverdale Baptist School for 5 years. The curriculum changes often and does not offer what one would expect from a "private" school. However, the elementary principal promotes Christian values. I will not allow my son to go into the middle school because of the MS principal. She lies and is very immature. The MS does not follow the mission statement that is promoted to the parents. My daughter attended the middle school and one year in high school before I had enough and put her in another school. My advice to anyone considering placing their child in Middle or High School is to save your money. The leadership is awful. They are not qualified to babysit in my opinion. My daughter had a teacher with no degree at all, homosexuality is commonplace in the upper grades, and excessive bullying from teachers as well as students. The school is basically a joke. The students are not even able to test into better private schools because academically the school is worse than any Title I public school.
Submitted by student on May 05, 2016

This is a good school. I admit sometimes the teachers bother me sometimes. overall Riverdale is actually not a bad school its actually the types of students that come in and mess things up for others.I've been here since K-4 and have found nothing wrong with Riverdale. reviews that are rude are put there just to make other people doubt river dale even though you haven't been there to experience it. We do have a Christ like environment and not everyone that attends Riverdale is saved. Thats why parents bring there kids so they could find some discipline and a glimpse of knowing Christ. Thats why there are few to little incidents in middle and high school because they teach us how to start having good education and Christ. Luke 5:2 says I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.That means that Jesus has not come and given the teachers the ability not to just teach the perfect, smart, and, kind Riverdliens (thats what I call them) but ones who are lost, on there way to Hell, sinful, and make mistakes. WE will tell you straight up to make sure you try to get saved. This is my story as an 8th grader getting ready to graduate from there and head off to Riverdale high school still.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2016

I attended this school from kindergarten to 12th grade. I started my relationship with the Lord here! I thank the Lord for allowing my parents to invest in my future and eternity!
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

My son has attended RBS for 3yrs . My experience as been good and bad. Some of the teachers do care about the students and some don't. They have a serious problem with peer pressure which isn't address by the teachers. They turn their heads. The administration say they will address the problem but nothing really happens. I wonder are the teachers really Christians ... They should be more understanding to the children listen to them. They have a voice. Otherwise RBS is ok to me. Would I return probably, I have a voice.
Submitted by teacher on April 04, 2015

As a teacher here, I must advise that the negative reviews of this school are more truthful than not. It is unfortunate that Riverdale's Christianity seems to fade outside of the chapel service. There are many problems in the administration & teacher's frustrations are felt by some students in the classroom.
Submitted by parent on September 05, 2014

I have enjoyed RBS over many years my son graduated in 2010. I currently have two children attending. The experience has been great. The teachers are engaging, enthusiastic and caring. The teachers inspire my children to do their best and set goals and accomplish them.