Rivendell School of Northern Colorado

As with any school regardless of Public or Private, it starts with good management (The Principal), and that sets the tone for the culture, and quality of the teachers and learning environment... We have two kids at Rivendell, and if you are looking for the best of the best and can afford the cost of sending your children to a Private school, such as Rivendell, you will be providing your children with the academic foundation they certainly deserve... Rivendell has always kept us informed and been very candid about any behavioral or motivational issues with our children, and we as parents have the responsibility to deal with that... It's our job to be parents!
--Submitted by a parent

Rivendell can be a GREAT school for alot of children. Small class size, loving teachers, lot's of individual attention. Unfortunately, it is not a good choice if your child is not well motivated, or doesn't work well independently. The "self paced" curriculum means that your child will work independently in Math and other areas. Very little structured curriculum in some areas.. Also, as with any private school, the teachers tend to give you positive feedback and "couch" any negatives. This can be misleading. For shy children, minorites and such, Rivendell could be a godsend. If you are considering moving your child there due to low perfornance or behavioral probllems, think again. As with any private school they tend to whitewash a child"s problems and tell you how much "improvement" your child is making , when, in fact, your child may be falling behind. I know, I enrolled my child there due to behavioral problems in PSD. Rivendell did not help a bit for my child. BUT, despite that I will say that it could well be worth the money for some children.
--Submitted by a parent

We have our oldest Son in Rivendell and couldn't be happier with the quality of the education and the wonderful learning environment. Trust me, we spent a great deal of time researching and interviewing the large number of schools in the Fort Collins area. Although there are some good public schools to choose from... Rivendell provides the quality that we were looking for in a private school. The foundation years are so critically important and the staff of seasoned educators at Rivendell met all of our requirements. In fact, all of the Iowa test scores are well above the Standard State scores and kids are more than prepared to handle the testing requirements in the public school system. No worries for those parents having concerns about the test scores. All of the results are also posted on the school's website from 2007 to 2011. We are planning to send our youngest Son to Rivendell as well starting next year. It is well worth the investment!
--Submitted by a parent

If you're looking at this school, ask alot of questions and read between the lines when you receive the answers. The limited testing the school does will not benefit your child when they move into a middle school that requires regular testing. Their IOWA test scores aren't made available for a reason and you need to ask for the results and then UNDERSTAND them.. This little school was a local gem for many years, but hasn't been treated with the love and care to keep it flourishing. There are still a few really good teachers here, but they're slowly leaving for greener pastures. With the plethora of great local schools consider your options carefully.
--Submitted by a parent

All three of my daughters have attended Rivendell and we are delighted with the results. Rivendell's individualized educational approach helps each child stay challenged and achieve mastery across all subjects. Rivendell students are engaged in their education, confident in their abilities, and extremely well-prepared for a lifetime of learning. Hands down Rivendell is the best pre-school through elementary school in northern Colorado. This school is definitely worth checking out before you choose a school for your child.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started first grade after chemo therapy, bald and shy. We wanted a school with smaller class sizes and one which focussed on love of learning. Frankly, we also wanted a nurturing environment. This kid had been through enough! She has thrived socially and scholastically. My parents were teachers. Three of five kids in my family, myself included, are teachers or have been teachers, in public and private schools. The teachers at Rivendell are exceptional, and the inclusive educational environment has made a significant difference to me as a parent, and to my daughter. We love this school, and are grateful to have found it.
--Submitted by a parent

Our four children have been educated at wonderful public, private and parochial schools in various areas of the country and in Canada. I wish my three oldest would have had the opportunity to attend Rivendell! This school is a shining example of what school should be: challenging, culturally diverse, tolerent, and loving. The children work their brains, their bodies, and their imaginations in an environment that encourages success and self-reliance.
--Submitted by a parent

Rivendell is an incredible school. All three of our children attend Rivendell. The quality and commitment of the teachers and staff is second to none. Rivendell provides a truly individualized education environment, ensuring excellence in academics as well as ensuring each student is well rounded by offering foreign languages, physical education, art, and music. I would never send my kids anywhere else. They absolutely love this school and so do we.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm going to echo this year's sixth graders and say that if you send your kid to Rivendell, you are awesome. Here, things are never too easy or too hard. You set your goal and work as hard as you want to get there. At normal schools, there's no incentive to work any more than you have to. The Spanish and German instruction is also great, and has been a huge advangate for me in the IB program.And the art class is fun. Really, there aren't may schools that could be better than this.
--Submitted by a student

Rivendell is the best! The individualized learning is wonderful, and each and every staff member at the school knows my daughter's name- try getting that at a public school! The before and after school care is also excellent. Highly recommended, and well worth the price!
--Submitted by a parent