Rippowam Cisqua School

Rippowam Cisqua may not have the beautiful facilities, but they're focus isn't looks. It's the the quality of the education and the friendly, close-knit community that makes the school stand out. An alum of RCS, I now can appreciate how much the teachers really care about their students. The teachers go the extra mile to make sure every kid is enjoying and learning from the class! I can't say I have anything bad to say other than that the school ends in 9th grade and everyone ends up so close that on graduation people are crying (because no one wants to leave!) The high school placement is amazing and I would easily say ALL of the kids go off to impressive, academically rigorous schools. RCS instills an independence in the pursuit of education and a friendliness that you can't find anywhere else. I still get teary eyed thinking of how much I miss the school!

Three different Heads of the Lower School in three years, an almost new Head of School (2 years?), and recent high teacher turnover, are troubling. Add to that a Board of Trustees member whose three kids attend the school too and you have a nervous parent/teacher/administrator scene where favor seeking is common and some classrooms host one very special teacher's pet. There are some good teachers and some bad but it's the inexperienced administration and cronyism that may interfere with the quality of education your kid will get.
--Submitted by a parent

My son went for 10 years to Rippowam. What a great school! I only wish every child in America could experience the love of learning and support my son received. He is now in 10th grade and he is more than prepared for his new school. I also have a daughter in first grade there now, she loves it, in fact she hates to stay home when she is sick. Very committed teachers and a caring administration who listens to the parents.
--Submitted by a parent

Wonderful staff provide a diverse and richly engaging early education. Very small class sizes, very active parent community make this one of the best environments for children.
--Submitted by a parent

This is a terrific school. The learning environment here is nurturing but not at the expense of providing a rigorous academic experience. Our children have very different leaning styles and strengths and have become strong, confident students. Parent involvement is strong, but not overbearing. The school leadership and teachers have been terrific and extremely available. Our children have attended both the lower and upper school with great success. We have no doubt that our children will be well prepared for high school.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. My three children can't wait to get to school, and come home so energized about what they've done each afternoon. RCS is doing something right if it's instilling such a love of school and learning in the children, whilst challenging them at a high level. The teachers get to know the children and families so well and they genuinely care. In the end, they get into great high schools and thrive once they get there.
--Submitted by a parent

My child just finished 9 years at Rippowam Cisqua and had a wonderful experience. She will now go to a top rated private school for high school. The school gives he gift of a love of learning that is more important to me than hours of homework each night. It gives the gift of organizing their work in order to produce high quality work (rather than high quantity). I was continuously amazed at what these children learned and were able to discuss.
--Submitted by a parent

Honestly, the school lacks skilled teachers and the facilities are not impressive in the least bit. My children have not been satisfied with the school and i feel that the price we are paying for the education of my children is grossly overpriced. Furthermore i would like to say that the school spends to much time focusing on its so called 'arts program' when the money should be going to updating the facilities and hiring capable teachers. The endowment is terrible and the idea for the high school and the money wasted on it was ridiculous.
--Submitted by a parent

Great school. I feel the school acts in the interest of my children. The communication between teachers, heads of school and parents is outstanding. My children after moving from a hothouse British school environment have still felt challenged but in a more balanced environment.
--Submitted by a parent

A lot fund raising and parent participations. Teachers are nurturing and kids are happy.
--Submitted by a parent