Riverwood International Charter School

Concerned parents would be wise to avoid Riverwood if you have any other options. The previous post, by a teacher, is very accurate -- the reputation is better than the actual school. Most kids don't get a superior education, especially those in the "on level" classes. The new principal doesn't have a good understanding of high school students or how to build concensus with faculty, parents or the kids. And if for no other reason, avoid Riverwood because the drug and alcohol culture is the worst in the metro area - that's confirmed by "experts" such as substance abuse counselors and others who are "in the know." More than any school in metro Atlanta -- public or private - the pressure to use drugs and alcohol is so intense. It is truly considered "uncool" not to use. Many parents don't seem to be concerned, as long as the kids "achieve" on the report card. Overall, the student culture is not healthy emotionally, academically, pscyhologically. Look elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

Despite a recent decline in the caliber of student that coincided with the increase of student population from 1000 to 1600, Riverwood is still a good school. It is safe. There are a few fine programs for the motivated student (the Art and IB Program stand out). The teachers care and there is a small group of involved parents. It is possible to get a good education at Riverwood, but a student would have to take the initiative and avoid the on level classes that are the repository for the 90% who are doing the absolute minimum or less. The administration is more or less competent, but they are all stick and no carrot. In order to protect themselves they burden the students and staff with demoralizing and petty rules. There is a palpable culture of reproach. Bottom line? The school is not as good as its reputation, but better than most of the public schools in the region.
--Submitted by a teacher

Please do not consider Riverwood International Charter School if there are other options. The staff and teachers are definitively not motivated to teach. I am a student at Riverwood I have had teachers taunt me, ignore me, use profanity with me, and have even tried to make me do their class planning in exchange for an A in class. I'm being very honest and I have no other way of telling you how horrible this school. I was a straight A student with almost a 4.0 GPA and dropped to a B to C average with some F's. Ask neighbors, Ask Other Kids, and Look over and study this school before considering before your child ends up like me.
--Submitted by a student

This is an excellent school and takes a back seat to none! I do not have to rank RICS; Riverwood International Charter School is already ranked #2 in the state of Georgia and #148 in the nation by Newsweek, and it shows! The teachers are deeply caring and helpful to their charges. Perhaps the most striking thing is the environment of cordiality and friendliness share throughout the school by teachers and students alike. I highly recommend RICS to any parent who wishes to have his/her child attend a top-flight institution.
--Submitted by a parent

I had high hopes as a parent, but the administration and teachers at Riverwood does not compare to the education my older children received at St. Pius X Catholic High School. I can't recommend this school as a parent. We have been greatly disappointed as a family and plan to leave. The lack of respect to the students, lack of parent involvement, and teacher quality are major concerns, to name a few. Riverwood is a major disappointment and it is unbelievable that some parents pay tuition to have their children attend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverwood has enjoyed a lot of positive hype the past few years. The reality is somewhat different. Excellence exists in some areas and with some teachers, but it is also possible to have a year in which mediocrity is the norm especially if your child is not in advanced classes. There is very little "school spirit" at Riverwood. Drama and music programs are very good. Unfortunately the drug and alcohol problem is widespread, one of the worst in metro Atlanta. "Rankings" seem to matter more than anything else in too many cases.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverwood has turned out to be a HUGE disappointment. My son is in 9th grade so he just started this year. So far he has had two teachers quit and the principal had to resign as well as the athletic director. The majority of the students are out of control. I have seen videos of fights in the cafeteria and it looks like a scene from a prison movie. We have encountered rude teachers (my son told a teacher he needed to check out and that I was in the front office to get him....the teacher berated him the entire way to the lobby telling him that he didn't believe him and that my son was just trying to skip school....when they arrived, the teacher said to me, "he better be glad you're up here") I have also received less than professional emails from some of his teachers that contained inaccurate information. Also, a couple of his teachers have lost several of his assignments !!!!! We are leaving this school as soon as the semester is over!!!!!
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children at Riverwood and they love it! They have good teachers and they do have to work hard. I think its weird for people to expect teachers to nurture their children in high school. Aren't we getting them ready for college? Anyway, Riverwood is a great school with an awesome marching band and awesome band teacher. Our girls are involved and we are involved also. High school students should be more independent as they get ready to become adults. I think Riverwood assists with this. It's a great school and we would move all over again to attend this school.
--Submitted by a parent

The principal of Riverwood just resigned due to "auditing irregularities" meaning he was taking money from the student activity funds (raised by sale of tickets to athletic/artistic events) and using it personally. Stay away!
--Submitted by a parent

This school purports to be all kinds of things but is not - it is all about numbers and excelling - there is no joy of learning. If a student is not excellent, the child is treated as if they are a bad kid regardless of their behavior. The students do not learn about diversity and interacting and communicating well with others. Many teachers are disorganized and engage in favoritism without regard to the damage to the other students. The IB program teaches little about international relations and provides little encouragement or support to students. The only students the school or this program cares about are ones who are achieving. There are students are supposedly achieving and winning awards who are cheating and using shortcuts falling on the edge with little regard for learning. Once a child is labeled, it appears virtually impossible to move forward.Don't send your child there.
--Submitted by a parent