Riverbend Prep

I love this school. I love the new Principle and the changes he has made since the last year. Everyone there is very friendly and helpful in any way they can be. The teachers are amazing! And I love the fact that it is not a huge school and the classroom sizes are not over flowing, and they have tutoring after school as well. Love it!
—Submitted by a parent

Best school ever! Amazing staff such a safe school! The teachers have great communication and I love how the principle mr hattrick has amazing communication with parents and students. He's always out and about with every student and always involve and not to mention the teachers are the sweetest and most caring as well! I'm so glad I brought my daughter here! They have helped her so much! After having a terrible experience with another school I'm so glad I chose this school!! Couldn't ask for a better school! Keeps kids busy and active! Definitely recommend!
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to Riverbend since Kindergarten and he loves it. The teachers have been great. We did take him out at the begining of the 2012-2013 school year to attended another school but return. The other school did not have the same quality teachers that cared. We were never informed of how he was doing even when emailing the teacher serveral times. Mr. Hattrick has been great and the running club was awesome for the kids to get involved. The school has been running very well with him in charge. We have actually have recommended other parents to check the school out.
—Submitted by a parent

Mr. HENDRICK AND MR. HATRICK ARE AWESOME.!! MOST caring assistant. And principal I've. Ever meet! My two boys teachers ( Ms. Ramos & Ms. LUSSON )are very patient, helpful. Teachers. They have worked hard to help them get a head and made suggestions s of tutoring. And clubs to keep them active and interested. In school. I love that therrare activities /afterschool sports! They keep in touch. W. Parents. And keep them involved! I am thankful. To find such a school!! Thank you and keep up the good work!! :)
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers here are top notch. They not only care about the students academically, but personally. They are passionate about education and shaping the students to be the leaders of the future. The small class sizes allow for more personalized instruction and makes reaching each child an attainable goal. The school offers tutoring, extracurricular activities, and a before/ after school program. The principal provides clear direction for the staff and open communication with the parents. The school truly feels like a community and brings meaning to the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child."
—Submitted by a parent

This is the third year that I have had my children attend Riverbend and this year is by far the best! My first grade son is in Ms. Decker's class and she not only has helped him feel safe and cared for but when he has a rough day she ALWAYS goes the extra mile to ensure he is successful in school. I highly recommend Riverbend to anyone looking for a great school. They help students at any level learn and succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

Have to say that my boys love to go to school everyday. both of their teachers are very concerned with how their students are doing.
—Submitted by a parent

mr fredrick mr rose mrs keen ms lewis you guys make that school everyone else suckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkks
—Submitted by a parent

We are half way through the school year and I impressed Ms. Haley, 1st Grade. She teaches and kids listen. Mr. Clay is also a great music teacher, I love the way he interacts with the kids. It seems has if the staff really cares about my child's education and well being. My only concern is that there is not enough staff to give much needed breaks to the teachers and lunch time seems a little hectic for the kids because the school is short staffed (based on one day observation) I know I made a good decision this year.
—Submitted by a parent

2 of my children attend this school. My son is in 4th grade attending in Ms Aguirre's class an exceptional teacher that manages each student to their learning level and teaches 4th and 5th grade math to students that excel- same goes for reading. My daughter is in kindergarten Miss Tan is wonderful with them, I have sat in class a few times and the way she teaches even makes me learn and laugh with the kids. I was able to take some of the things I learned from her and continue them at home. Both of these teachers are amazing at what they do and to watch my kids get brighter everyday is just remarkable. They are doing paragon nights with families, breakfasts, carnivals, bingo nights to bring this community together. I am sad to know that it only goes to 6th grade, to find another school this amazing is going to be very difficult. Thank you for all that you do!
—Submitted by a parent

This was one of the best decisions I have made for my child. We love this school. My son loves this school. The teachers and staff are amazing. Ms. Tan the kinder teacher is excellent. My son is reading at a 1st grade level. He is learning math, science, music, and spanish. I am so happy! :) Thank you Riverbend!
—Submitted by a parent

This is an amazing school with an amazing staff. I have 2 children attending this school who are growing by leaps and bounds. It is a fairly new school but it only seems to get better each year. It is really working on parent involvement and getting its community involved with what all it has to offer.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter only attended kindergarten at Riverbend for only 2 months. Her teacher was a very nice person but seemed like she had no experience at all. She did not know how to discipline the children at all even with the help of an aid. My daughter was bored in class from the little amount of work at attention the students get. Also she was getting bullied by the 'class bully' and I never heard about it until I saw it first hand. After I saw my daughter told me he bullys everyone every single day. It would've been nice if the teacher would've informed myself or other parents. Also I have to agree that the pricipal is more like a CEO than an elementary school principal.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is finishing her kindergarten year and we will not be returning to Riverbend next year. Her teacher is nice, but lacks in experience. Their 'teacher mentor' program is weak - meetings with the mentor to express concerns and ask for assistance ultimately go unresolved. Ms. Medina, the principal, is more qualified as a CEO than an elementary school principal. She is inefficient in her follow-through and ability to implement productive change. Parent communication is sporadic. There is not a formal discipline policy implemented throughout the year. Ms. Medina will advise parents that 'all teachers are highly qualified', if not credentialed teachers. The overwhelming difference being a fundamental understanding of children and their behaviors an early childhood education background provides a credentialed teacher. The school lacks a library and PTO. Paragon program (though limited) , music, Spanish & PE classes are highlight of Riverbend.
—Submitted by a parent

My son goes to this school, my daughter will start kinder next year. The teachers here are amazing people. They call when they are concerned and keep you informed when need to be. There are not many after school sports there however they do send home flyers about the programs that are in the nieghborhood. My son has really excelled here. I am really sad to know it only goes up to 6th grade. Mrs Ramos is a great teacher and it shows in my son as to how excited he is about her class. Parents are allowed to volunteer spend time with the students in class. As for Confrences I have never had an issue even if t was something quick after school. There is no library but it allows me as a parent to stay involved and buy things for the classroom to know what my son is learning.
—Submitted by a parent

I think that this school has had great improvement from last year. They have a caring, loving staff. My child and many others are making great strides this year. I can not wait to see where my sons teacher will take him next! Thanks Mrs. Haley! Good Job Riverbend!
—Submitted by a parent

My child will not be returning. While the school promised everything, it delivered very little. The specials teachers are wonderful! My child made no academic progress the first half of the year. It was a total repeat of the year before at her old school. Paragon nights started out great, then became classroom walk throughs. My child never used a computer the entire time she was there!!!!!!! even though each classroom had two. There is no library just a few donated book in the classroom. The art is totally left up to the teacher. My dd's teacher was too busy with her own life to do projects. They never bothered to even have a PTO meeting. I asked, but it just never got done. They fired the principal in the spring, so it may get better.
—Submitted by a parent

Our son has been a student in this school for 1 year.We really appreciate the school curriculum and teachers. Children are well disciplined and guided. I will recommend Riverbend Prep to any parent.
—Submitted by a parent

This charter school just opened for the 2008-2009 school year and it looked like an empty warehouse for a while there, with teachers doing without basic supplies well into the first month. But it finally got going and that should not be as big a problem next year. There are no specials except for Music and P.E., but those programs were both run by creative and enthusiastic professionals. Spanish or ASL were promised but never delivered. Class sizes are manageable and bullying very well controlled, compared to Laveen ESD schools. The mosaica curriculum seems to be very good, but some teachers were better at implementing it than others. There is remarkably little homework. Math and science were under-emphasized, but the school did send several 5th and 6th graders to the AZ Science and Engineering Fair. There is no PTA but monthly Paragon Nights brought parents into the school. The outgoing principal managed to secure a Kaboom! grant, but could have used a lot more help in fundraising.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverbend has been a great school for my 2 children. They are in grades 2 & 5. I am in constant contact with their teachers and enjoy Paragon Night very much. I recommend this school to any parent that insists on high quality teachers that actually call when you child is doing well and not just when they are in trouble.
—Submitted by a parent