Riverview Community High School

I love RCHS so far! My son is a Freshman and we both love the teachers. They are all 100% committed to the students.
—Submitted by a parent

I don't understand why people like ragging on the school of choice kids. What does the city you're from have to do with your character? I'm a school of choice student and I also happen to be a National Honors Society member. As a matter of fact, I can think of three different school of choice students with 4.0's off the top of my head right now. If you live in Lincoln Park, Taylor, or Southgate, chances are you're attending Riverview to escape a poor district and better yourself for the future. Be happy that a lot of desirable people want to attend this desirable district. Riverview is an excellent school and I'm entirely grateful the opportunity to attend was there. When I graduate next year, I know I'll be missing this school.
—Submitted by a student

School of Choice Parent. Excellent. Son's GPA is 3.8+ all honors classes - National Honor Society - Two varsity sports (and letters) - One detention as a freshman for a phone violation. So for those who do not like the school of choice students consider that approximately 50% of your district is school of choice students. Image your high school academically with only 500 students versus 1000. Imagine losing 1/2 of your teachers. And yes my tax dollars do go to OUR SCHOOL. My property taxes go to Lansing and then to Riverview. MY CHOICE. Sorry a bit peeved by the SOC issue. GREAT SCHOOL!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I do like this school because it's small and I think there is a lot more opprtunity for individualized attention to be paid to students. I do agree that the school of choice program should be limited to a certain amount students accepted per year. While I would like to think students from out of dictrict are looking for a better education, I feel as if some are problem students that have bounced from district to district.
—Submitted by a parent

RCHS is an awesome school. Everybody tends to get along rather well and there are not many fights, it is rare for there to be a fight actually. The teachers are nice and supportive. Just an all around good school. #RIPAMJ #FlyHigh
—Submitted by a student

I am currently a student at RCHS and love it. I am one of those "undesirable" school of choice kids the parents love to talk about in these reviews. We're not all bad, the current valedictorian in the class of 2013 is a school of choice kid. if your child is not succeeding its your fault or theirs, do not put that on the school district or type of kids the school district generously takes in. As far as the bullying goes, I am not a popular guy, or jock, but I do not get messed with. If your child is being bullied maybe you should tell them to stand up for themselves because your not going to be able to hold their hand their entire life. Try taking some responsibility instead of running your mouth on a website and being embarrassed by a kid in 11th grade.
—Submitted by a student

The district has changed negatively since school of choice instituted. The bullying particularly at the High school level is terrible. My son was pulled out of and attends another district now. I drive him 40 minutes round trip simply because the not only are teachers in the new district more supportive, they actually have and enforce a antibullying policy. The new district is also school of choice, but they have somehow found a way to maintain educational standards and safety even with integrating students out of district. To poster who said the student's Laziness was the cause of poor grades this is not true. This student and parents did seek help many times and was told the child's academics were 'fine'. The US Dept of Education recently made the district rewrite all their antibullying polices. There are many things 'students' reviewing Riverview as 5 stars don't know.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended Riverview. Teaching to the test is absolutely true!! I don't understand why they don't align their curriculum with the state's standards...then there would be no teaching to the test. Second, the bullying at this school is out of hand. Stop school of choice students from coming to Riverview if they are not there to create a positive atmosphere. Receiving the almighty dollar doesn't help the students whose parents pay taxes toward this district. It's ridiculous.
—Submitted by a parent

I met a substitute teacher a few weeks back and if this person is typical of the teachers at RCHS I am very pleased. My 2 sons think he is the best teacher they ever had but unfortunately they wish they had him as a regular teach. Two of the science teachers have been excellent for their preparation for college and overall we are quite pleased with their academic progress.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a senior at RCHS and I love it there. A person before me wrote about how her child had scores of math and english at 5th and 4th grade levels and Riverview Schools passed her each year; I am in Calculus right now and had a score of 33 in math on my ACT and 29 in english. If her student was struggling, she should have gone into her teachers for help. I know someone who worked at private schools and insulted the public schools for their teachings in all subjects. The teachers can not be blamed for that students laziness. The 'atmosphere' at Riverview is also not terrible. There is a large Student Council and Diversity Club along with teachers that actually can help you. School of choice, while 'diluting the quality' also brings in more money to help out the school improve in other aspects.
—Submitted by a student

I love Riverview Community High School because it provided my daughter the excellent education she needed to continue on to a higher education.
—Submitted by a parent

RCHS is by far one of the greatest schools downriver. The only thing that disappoints me is the fact it is a school of choice school. I know they have to do this so they can receive additional funding, but some of the kids who come here from other districts area not very desireable students. I wish there was a way that RCHS could weed out 'undesireable' students. Some of these kids hold the whole class back.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 3 children that attend the Riverview Community School district, 2 of them are at the High School, and also to mention that 1 graduated in 1999. I have enjoyed the school system as a whole. There has always been a strong line of communication with grade school through the high school. I have met just one teacher that was so cold that she belonged working in the military or something of that capacity. However all in all I get a very immediate impression that the teachers really do love their jobs with the district. That truly makes the classroom a productive class. Very positive, motivational, inspirational.
—Submitted by a parent

The academic scores are very deceptive. I had my child tested for academics by a private institution and found scores were at 5th and 4th grade levels for math and english. This a younge person Riverview Schools passed right along year to year since kindergarten, refusing to give resource room time, qualify for special ed services etc. This is a young person parents were told was doing just 'fine' look at the grades yearly yet we could not determine why he was struggling so much upon entering high school. Socially the atmosphere at RHS is terrible. Opening up to school of choice has definitely diluted the qualityof the schools. Instead of servicing a small community the district opened wide the to neighboring communities and some rough kids are entering. We removed our children and they attend private schools. The administrators are terrible in this school with a 'clique' mentality.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children graduate from Riverview in the past 4 years. Both have been involved in extracurricular activities. One has a scholarship due to these activities. Sure once in a while I found I did not love the teacher, learning to deal with that is one life lesson that every child should learn. I was always treated with respect by teachers a administrators and any problems were addressed promptly. I give Riverview 5 stars in all respects except for parent involvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a current senior at Riverview, and I must say that I absolutely despise this school. The faculty, for the most part, doesn't care about the students. The teachers do teach specifically to the test and are incredibly restricted by the school's curriculum, particularly the foreign language department. I'm an active member of the student body and I must say that the extracurriculars here are very lackluster. They work for the student who simply wants to build up a number of pointless extracurriculars for a college application, but for others who want to experience the arts... Go somewhere else. The theatre program is underfunded. Get away from Riverview if you love the arts or innovative education!
—Submitted by a student

The special education department is particulary bad. The teachers for most part in my expereince are good and caring although with a few bad apples here and there that aren't so caring or good. That is typical amongst teachers anywhere. Administration needs to get on the ball. Major issues. Hopefully a new superindependent will help to fix some of these issues. This district is in a need of a good bullying district-wide policy as well. There are some issues here.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the first reviewer was thinking of a different school. I attended Riverview and absolutely loved my time there. I was a senior when the Columbine tragedy happened and our teachers and administration did everything possible to make us feel comfortable and safe... and that is what was great about being a Pirate-- always feeling safe. However, I have to agree about the school of choice comment, somewhat. After going to Riverview schools all my life, I wanted to stay in Riverview after we moved to another city. Although I was a school of choice student, I do believe it got a bit out of hand. Other than that, I loved my teachers, coaches, and staff. I can't really say anything bad about RCHS.
—Submitted by a former student

I feel that the school has very good teachers. The school does not focus on teaching for good test scores, they spend one week out of the whole year preparing you for what you will see on the meap. I dont see how that is unreasonable at all. I feel that Riverview is a good school with good teachers, but with some minor administrative problems.
—Submitted by a student

I attended this school years ago and my daughter goes there now. All I can say is that it has definately gone way downhill. My daughter has finished her first year and we can't wait to move out of the city and are considering private school. The whole focus of the school has been to 'align the curriculum' read - teach to the test in order to maximize the funding it will receive. Getting to class is a challenge because of so many people. Good sports programs only exist if your child plays football.
—Submitted by a parent