Riverwood Elementary School

Overall, Riverwood Elementary is a wonderful school for most students EXCEPT those who are dyslexic. To be fair I think NC is a hard place to be if you are dyslexic (a dirty word that not a single teacher or principal would utter). Our child had a wonderful experience in early grades but hit a wall (which we learned was dyslexia) and we left. Specific teacher training is required to teach dyslexic children. Although the Special Education instructor seemed to want to do her best, we did not feel that she was qualified for our child's dyslexia. At one point in the discussion our child turned to me and whispered: "Does she know that I have dyslexia?" The spec. ed. teacher made comments indicating lack of understanding of dyslexia (i.e. insisting 90 minutes of required homework time could not be adjusted - implying we were trying to avoid homework because of extra-curricular activities, telling our child that this time "hard work" was required - as though our child simply didn't try hard enough. One teacher insinuated I had not read enough with our child (untrue).) We are now in another state using approved intervention measures (Orton-Gllingham, Wilson, etc.
--Submitted by a parent

My children currently attend this school and there really isn't much to say. So far, I have so many issues with this school and the greatest problem is the faculty!!! It's truley a shame however we are stuck here! My comparsion comes from my children attended other schools that seemed to honsetly care about there students this one seems more like a job that they have to come too.. Truly sad
--Submitted by a parent

Our children attend Riverwood Elementary. K, 2nd and 4th. This is our first year here. We transferred from East Clayton. My first complaint is the principal. I do not trust her because of a couple incidents that have occurred in the past. The first happened about the 9th day of school. My children are walkers and the walkers meet up with their siblings and then walk outside of the building to either walk home or meet their parents to take them home. My daughter could not find her brother (the 2nd grader),and so she went to tell his teacher. To make a long story short, it ended up that my son was missing. The school had lost him. They kept insisting that he must have walked home on his own. Which I knew was impossible. I asked the principal to call the police and she responded with "well" and shrugged her shoulders. I never saw any police, so I assume she did not call them. We finally found him at the middle school. He was there because some teacher mistakenly told him to go there. He was missing for well over an hour. She never called to check how we were. Also no buses or continuous sidewalks, we live 1.1 miles away and either walk or drive with the other hundreds of cars.
--Submitted by a parent

I had two children in this school last year.It was their first year in public school.My son has learning differences and my daughter is gifted and talented.The first half of the school year was fine and then I had numerous problems with the principal and vice principal.They didn't understand what my son really needed and they did not behave appropriately.But Ms.Roberts really challenged my daughter.The office staff gossiped too much.
--Submitted by a parent

I have 3 kids at Riverwood. My oldest will be in 5th grade this year and has attended the school since kindergarten. We LOVE our school. Two of my children have IEP's and this school has been exceptional at adjusting to kids who are different learners. Mr. Knott, the principal, was a special education teacher himself and takes finding the right people to teach in his school very seriously. The assistant principal is really such a wonderful person once you get to know her. She is the first to give you a compliment (including the teachers). We have been tempted to move to Florida because of my husbands job and the only thing that truly is keeping us here is this school because our children are accepted, loved and thrive. We LOVE Riverwood.
--Submitted by a parent

This school works hard at making a difference in the life of children and their families.
--Submitted by a parent

I will have to agree with the parent concerning Mrs. Fisher and the people in the front office. Mr. Knott is ok. The school, PTA, parent support and teachers are great. My daughter is now in the 4th grade and we love the 4th grade teachers. My co-worker has a kid in the same grade but in Wake County and she is always saying that Johnston Co does so much more as far as communication and motivating the students. The workshop that was given last year concerning the EOG was great. I made a copy of the material for my boss because Wake county did not provide alot of information concerning the EOG. We really loved the way the county provided the kids with certificate when they improved their EOG scores. Just the look on their faces on that stage was priceless. Wake County did not do this either.
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter started at this school in K. We had a few issues with our first year, but her first grade teacher triumphed. Mrs. Fisher the assistant principal 8 out of 10 times is very rude and I have not found her consistent with her decisions. Mr. Knott seems to be very slow about making the right decision, but always seems to get there finally. If it was not for the leadership of the PTA, Parent Support and the Teachers - we would have left. If the office staff and leadership could quite gossiping so much and get to work it would be a much better place.
--Submitted by a parent

We really love this school. This will be my daughter's 3rd year at Riverwood. She had a wonderful 1st grade teacher. Second grade was not so good but she still excelled. She is now in the 3rd grade and loves it. The 3rd grade teachers are wonderful. We also stay in Riverwood so it is very convenient.
--Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter go to Riverwood and I could not be more pleased. Everyone from the principal to the janitors is doing a great job. The parents are very involved and the environment is supportive, happy, and conducive to learning. They have a wonderful academic program, and also teach morals and critical thinking/problem solving. Most of the teachers are very willing to bond with the children and put their whole heart into teaching. They have always been responsive and supportive any time I have been in contact with them. We have had an excellent experience overall.
--Submitted by a parent