Riverdale Baptist School

My child went to the school to take the exam, I had to call for almost a month to get results. Bad customer service, they were quick to process my payment. No follow up and they told me to be patient..Really?
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers have no form of customer service. They go weeks not responding to emails, the math teachers dumps grades in at the last minute, some teachers do not load grades into edline until the report cards are due. The principal stands by her teachers no matter what. This high school experience has been a living nightmare. The administration knows how to come after you for a payment if you are less than 1 week late but you are not getting any service for your money. These teachers need to be held accountable. It is a disgrace how the faculty has no regard for the parents/students.
—Submitted by a parent

I was releuctnat to enroll due to al the reviews but I had no choice in the matter. I sent emails to 3 particular teachers and I would not get any responses. They do not put the grades into edline like they are supposed to. The principal can be down right disrespectful with her lack of regard to her parent's concerns. She allows them to do whatever they want and the scary part is the teachers know it and they behave with a lack of regard for the parents. Alot of parents are taking their children out and I hope they do not wonder why.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in 8th grade he has been here since 4th grade. His educational experience have been great and very challenging. I also must say that the students there are great kids, well mannered and respectful. As a parent we always focus on the teachers and the education, but one of the main thing is the students peers. And Riverdale students reflect a very positive religious attitude.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended RBS from K5 thru 2nd grade. We don't have experience with the current middle or high school, but RBS has an excellent Elementary program with a dedicated and friendly Elementary principal. All of our son's teachers have been qualified and professional. Teacher communication has been wonderful with email and use of Edline. Our son has grown both intellectually and spiritually. For Elementary, I would highly recommend RBS for your child.
—Submitted by a parent

it seem like it only tends to the athlete not any actitvites really good most of the money that does come in seem not to go to the eduction side of things but to the afletices instead they need lots of stuuf fot the acedicmis but it not there

He doesn t have to apologize to begin with. The point I am trying to make is that God will always do the right thing, and as Christians, we should ask ourselves in any situation How would God handle this? If a Christian can t humble his or herself to offer an apology and something that is small as such, then how can we be lead by the Holy Spirit and do the works of God? It can t happen, which might explain the high turn over at RBS. What s at the top flows to the bottom and the rest of the school. This is why Mrs. Bingham could not apologize for misplacing my daughter s work and later finding it. The same is true with Mrs. Campbell- she did not return to the meeting, offered no apology nor explaination. Perfect example of what s at the top will certainly flow to the bottom.
—Submitted by a parent

Sorry But Riverdale is no more what it used to be. I am trying now to locate a good school to enroll my son who is currently attending Riverdale in 5th Grade. I actually wrote to the principal expressing my dissappointment over studies students recieve. My son had been in Riverdale since 2nd grade and it seems every year the quality of education is deteroriating more and more and this year 2010-2011 has been the worst so far with High rate of turnover for teachers and very unskilled teachers etc... Not worth the money anymore.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attended Riverdale for four years (9-12). One of the best private school educations available for a reasonable cost. She loves her school and her teachers. I am very satisfied as a parent.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter was at Riverdale Baptist for elementary, middle school, and one year of high school. Although middle school had it's problems, mainly it was very disorganized, the high school experience was horrific. We left there running and will never look back. The grading practices and poor followup from teachers and the high school principle made our lives a living hell. The quality of the teachers is very poor and they spend too much time on discipline in the classroom. If a parent wants to visit the classroom a two-week notice must be provided and it must be approved by the principal. I realize this is because they have much to hide. There are teachers who do not understand how to protect confidential information and share personal information about families with other parents - highly inappropriate. The high school principal has poor social, communication, and management skills - trickles to teachers.
—Submitted by a parent

I appreciate the Christian environment at RBS. The teachers & students who I have met over the past four years have been great. I am going into my 5th year at Riverdale. I have one child in Public School and two at Riverdale and I honestly see the difference in both academics and athletics. Keep in mind that parents have to work with their children at home no matter what school they attend. However, I am confident that my younger children are receiving a better academic start at RBS than my older child has received in Public School. I have some concerns about the available options/curriculum at the high school level, so I need to do some comparisons in that area. I am confident the Elementary and Middle School programs have well prepared my younger two.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at RBS at age 3. She came to school being able to read and since that time RBS has fostered her love of learning. She is currently in the 5th grade. We left RBS for 3rd grade at another christian school and returned for 4th grade. This year we left again to experience one day of the TAG program in the PGCPS. Needless to say we have returned HOME to RBS. THE GRASS IS NOT ALWAYS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE. We won't leave again because the challenge of the curriculum and the Christian environment are what we have grown accustomed to. The teachers we have had are truly CALLED to teach. My daughter is happy which makes my husband and me happy.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a student at RBS for about 10 years, K4-8th grade. Elementary school was great, however, when I got into Middle School, even though I was a straight A student, Riverdale failed to successfully prepare me for High School. My whole middle school experience was horrible. As other students have said, if you're not a jock you're nothing. Teachers really don't seem to care and I wonder if some of them really are functioning christians. I FINALLY got out of Riverdale, after MUCH begging, after 8th grade and attended Eleanor Roosevelt. When I got to Roosevelt I felt that other students who attended public schools for MS were more prepared than I was for HS. I ended up graduating at the top of my class from Roosevelt, no thanks to RBMS, and my parents and I agree that taking me out was the best decision they could have ever made.
—Submitted by a student

I am a student a RBS. I have been going there for 8 years. I am leaving next school year. Most students do not act in a christianly manner. The education is shaky Elementary is shaky mostly hte teachers, MS is worse, and HS is BAD.I have seen a decrease in the quality of the teachers and the school. I am happy to be leaving. And I feel the parents are wasting their money. And money is all the school cares about more than the students!
—Submitted by a student

I m a parent of a middle school student who has been enrolled since K3. Overall, I m pleased with the high quality challenging education that my child receives. This is confirmed when I review the results of his standardized test scores. RBS includes elementary, middle, and high schools. I think some of the concerns raised in these posts may not apply to the entire school. The elementary programs are awesome. My only recommendation for elementary is to make better use of Edline. The middle school is good, but I d like to see foreign language included. It s offered for elementary and high schools. RBS is not perfect and there are opportunities for improvement. I see the administration working to address them. For instance, Expanding Horizons is now a meaningful computer class and communications have improved drastically since implementing One Call and Edline. However, I d LOVE to see the website updated more frequently.
—Submitted by a parent

RBS has its up and downs. My daughter has been there for two years now she is in the 7th grade now. However, the academics and sports opportunities for middle school students are great!!! The private school we left was horrible and offered no middle school sports. Parents no matter what have to engage in their children for academics and sports. We think all because we pay 10K a year the schools is suppose to do everything for the children and make the grades for them. This school is Great and the examples are the Kids that leave for Great Universities.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year a RBS he is in 4th grade, he transferred from another private school. I am pleased so far, it is more challenging for him which is great. Also, it is a very progessive school in terms of technology.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my son's first year at Riverdale he transferred in from a Catholic High School. He has attended a Catholic Schools since second grade. This experience is alot more enriching for him and for me. Every school has it's pro's and con's that's anywhere you go. The grass is not always greenier on the other side. In our case Riverdale has some green grass and the relationships built are much more personal and student centered.
—Submitted by a parent

Riverdale Baptist School is an excellent private school. OUr oldest son graduated from the school and has now graduated from the University of Maryland. It offered him excellent academics and athletic outlets. He played baseball for 4 years at Maryland on a scholarship. I now have a younger son attending Riverdale. The teachers are very creative and proactice. The class sizes are very small and discipline is well maintained. It is a great experience.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is absolutely awful. Not at all what they sale to you in orientation. The teachers don't provide the students with the time and attention they need to succeed and the Administrator is even worse. All they care about is the dollar. After keeping my child there for half a year, I decided that I would be setting my chil dup for failure by remaining at the school. Riverdale is living off it's old reputation. Don't waste your money.
—Submitted by a parent