Riverdale Elementary School

Riverdale has a long-standing tradition of excellence! There is little faculty/staff turnover because once people get 'in', they never want to leave! The K-8 atmosphere helps to enhance every student's experience - the older kids help with the younger kids which gives them a sense of community responsibility and the younger kids feel important because of the attention they receive from the older kids.
—Submitted by a parent

Caring teachers, staff and administrators. My kids love going every day! Riverdale is why we moved to this part of town!
—Submitted by a parent

Riverdale has always made us feel right at home. The parent involvement is phenomenal and whether the kids admit it or not (and most do) they LOVE it when their parents are 'regulars' on campus! Everyone watches out for one another's children. The teachers are friendly and dedicated to the children. We're very happy and thrilled we'll be there all the way through eighth grade!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful administrators, teachers and support staff! The children come first! Tremendous parental involvement and support which goes so far in having a top notch school. As soon as a home in the district is listed for sale it is snapped up by a family with children wanting to put them in a first rate school.
—Submitted by a teacher

Great teachers + Involved Parents = Successful School
—Submitted by a parent

I was leary at first to enroll my daughter at a 'public school'. After all, my 8th grade son had been going to a private school since the beginning. When I first got to the office to pre-register my daughter, I was amazed at how friendly the office staff was; not only to me, but to the students coming in as well. Courtious, helpful, and full of smiles. It didn't take long into our first year at Riverdale to to be convinced that we made the right move. The teachers could not be more supportive and caring of the children. They were at their classroom door each morning waiting to greet the children. The principal, Mr Carlisle, has always been filled with positive things to say to the kids, and is full of encouraging words. There are numerous clubs and/or sports, activities, and events available for the students to participate in. There is something for everyone. The success of Riverdale school is also due to the overwhelming amount of volunteer hours that the parents give to help out at the school. It has helped the school save a lot of money!! Riverdale School is like a small community of caring people to make it the best it can be!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had 4 children graduate from Riverdale. I always say it is the best kept secret in the state of TN. I cannot think of anything I would change about my childrens' experiences at Riverdale. The best part is the continuity of care/education due to the fact that it is a K-8 school, a wonderfully rare experience. The teachers/principal knew my girls by name and because they knew their character/personality so well, they knew if something wasn't right or if their was an educational/behavioral issue. I will always thank God for the gift of Riverdale School!
—Submitted by a parent

Great principal. Well run. Nice kids. My sons are very happy there.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is not as it is pumped up to be by the reviews--all I'm reading is how nice the teachers are, but I'm sorry nice does not cut it in the real world. I feel the teachers are sub-par as well as the principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Since we are going to be leaving Memphis to move to Knoxville, I felt I owe at least this much to Riverdale! This school is simply outstanding, both of my daughters had Mrs. White as their Kindergarten teacher and she is wonderful, caring and is sincerley concerned about her students. Mrs. Collins is a great 1st grade teacher as well as Mrs. Olivere, which my daughters had both as teachers. Mrs. Downing (2nd Grade) is the sweetest woman you will ever meet. Principal Carlisle is always active and you will always seeing him roaming the halls talking to students or parents, or directing traffic before and after school. The parental involvement at this school is tremendous and the office staff is very freindly and accomodating to any requests from parents. I hate that I have to take my daughters (1st and 2nd graders) away from such a wonderful school. Bruce
—Submitted by a parent

I went to Riverdale all 9 years. At the begining it was fun, but once you get into middle school being in a k-8 school its hard to seperate the two. The middle schoolers get treated way younger than thier age. The teachers I had there were wonderful! They taught me so much! Its just the disciplineing that needs working on.
—Submitted by a student

I was a substitute teacher for 2 years for almost every school in Shelby County. I can tell you that this school has something special. The principal is outstanding and very caring. The middle school students are the most well-behaved group of 6-8 graders in the county.

We relocated to Germantown from outside of the state of Tennessee in the summer of 2006. My son attended the second best rated elementary school in the state we lived in. I am very impressed with Riverdale. The teachers are great! They really care about the students. I would recommend this school to any parent who is concerned about their child's education as well as safety.
—Submitted by a parent

My children went to Riverdale and I switched them to a private school after 1-1/2 years. The school does the best that it can, but with more than 1000 students, there is a lot that can't be done. Their teachers were fine, and the principal really seemed to care. I do think Riverdale is better than most public schools in the area, but I think in order to be competitive, Germantown needs to suceed from Shelby Co and have their own school system. Maybe then, kids would get the individual attention they deserve. Right now, they just dont' get it.
—Submitted by a teacher

I think Riverdale is one of the best county schools. My son started Riverdale in 5th grade there. He came from a Catholic private school. And, he has learned just as much at Riverdale. I was worried but everything about the school is just great. The principle and teachers are just wonderful and care very much and are willing to work with our children and the parents to help them do well as children and to grow into wonderful adults. To me I trust my child there and don't worry about his well being. I would tell and have told people about Riverdale and hopefully they continue to do so. Thank you all at Riverdale.
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I are extremely pleased with Riverdale Elementary. We sent our first child to kindergarten this year. We had heard the school had a lot of parent involvement, but had no idea just how much; it is amazing!Understandably, parents get involved because it is truly a wonderful school full of incredible teachers and a wonderful staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Great principal, great administration, great teachers, great parents & great students! What more can you say! Riverdale has wonderful parent volunteers who are committed to helping our children and the school! We moved to Poplar Estates for the privilege of having our children attend Riverdale!
—Submitted by a parent

My husband attended Riverdale and now our first two children are attending. It was a great school 30 years ago and is a great school now! The entire staff, from the pricncipal down to the kitchen workers, love the kids and treat them with respect. It must be very difficult to know each child by name when there are 1000! This school, both parents and faculty, are comitted to not letting budget cuts affect the quality of the education. We are lucky to have art, music, PE, as well as a great library- all things other schools are losing. Way to go, Riverdale!
—Submitted by Lisa, a parent

We transferred from Virginia Beach, VA and our children attended this school, one in GR 8 and one in GR 4. This is a school with a small town feel. The teachers really care about their students. Middle school after school activities are lacking compared to most middle schools (only team sport is basketball) but the dedication of the staff is wonderful. AR reading program is highly stressed. Reading is still a subject through Eighth grade. Excellent parental involvement. School is trying to get Apple laptops for all 4th graders to improve computer skills.
—Submitted by Lisa C., a parent

After attending my 9 years at Riverdale as a student, I started realizing how beneficial the teachings were to my current,responsible, new life. Every teacher is 100% professional, yet interesting & creative in their own way, allowing for a more enjoyable & eager to learn class of pupils. I know from experience that the safe atmosphere, frequent teacher to student interaction, knowledgable teachers & fun programs such as talent shows, assemblies,etc. all contributed to who I am now and the perspectives and morals I preach/act. Everyday I drive past this school on the way to my home and wish to rewind my life back to my childhood. I would be much more appreciative;as I'd be aware of the fact that not all schools are so lucky! What an advantage I had moving to Rdale's district!
—Submitted by Raechel Kitchens, a former student