Riverside Elementary School

I have mixed feelings about this school. Out of the 6 years my kids have attended public schools, I've never had to come up to a school as many times as I've come to Riverside. The staff and principal seem to be okay and cooperative if you stay active with talking to the principal and teachers with the issues you are having. The assistant principals treat the principal like she's President Obama b/c you have to go through them to talk to her unless you are persistent to talk with her. There is one assistant principal I must say is super annoying and no matter what you come to the school for although it's none of her business she wants to know whats going on. I've personally met a counselor, speech therapist and school pshychiatrist who wasnt worth a penny with a hole in it until I got others involved from the county. I can say that all the issues I've had were solved by being respectfully aggressive but I wanted to write a truthful review that gives the pros and cons of this school. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done but overall being an active parent will get you positive results in this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Very very good school. Well rounded after scholl activities and programs. Reading is their top priority. Love this school.
--Submitted by a parent

not a good school. My kids are in 6th and 4th grade and they have some problems with the staff at Riverside. Some Teacher should resign if they think they cant send the kids to the office just for being kids
--Submitted by a parent

Our son is a Kindergarten student and loves Riverside. Now just a few months into the school year he is trying to read, writing sentences, and is just very eager to learn in general. The staff seems kind and dedicated. We are glad we chose to send him to public school and are pleased with the education he is receiving at Riverside.
--Submitted by a parent

Riverside ES is a wonderful school. My daughter is in Kindergarten and I couldn't be more thrilled with her teacher and the education that she is receiving there! The staff is truly dedicated and it's obvious they love what they do for a living!
--Submitted by a parent

My daughter is a student at Riverside and recently had a promblem with some boys bullying her on the bus. Both her teacher and the school counselor took the matter very seriously and helped all the students involved work through it. I applaud their zero tolerance for bullying policy! My daughter is thriving at Riverside.
--Submitted by a parent

I go here here and give it 2thumbs up
--Submitted by a student

Riverside has been abandoned by its neighborhood and as a result is an inner-city school. In the past three years, the county added a GT center here to raise the abysmal test scores. Many teachers, and the vice principal, are wonderful. Likewise the PTA is small but dedicated. The greatest issue is an overwhelming number of students who come from homes where the parents either don't care, or are too tired from working two jobs, to properly prepare/support their children. Teachers can only do so much. The neighborhood is solidly upper-middle class, but they have all fled to the Spanish immersion program at Ft. Hunt, or to private schools. Woodley Hills elem., 1/4 mile down the street, is a much better school, with students coming from similarly disadvantaged circumstances.
--Submitted by a parent

I would highly encourage all parents to send their children to Riverside! The faculty is really great and the teachers are superb! We have moved alot between MD, DC, and VA and I must say that Riverside is, by far, the best thus far. Whenever I have questions there is always someone willing to do whatever they can to help. When I have questions and need to get in contact with my daughters teacher(s) they return all of my calls promptly and they are always prepared with any answers. They make my job as a parent alot easier. They show genuine concern for each and every student. My daughter now has the ability to take advantage of the GT Program in its entirety and not sparingly as with other schools. She is also playing the violin this year and she loves it! Keep up the great work Riverside! Thumbs up!
--Submitted by LaKeisha Shelton, a parent

Riverside has a great Gifted Center and Young Scholars Program. They are sensitive to my child's needs and skills, and know when to place him in an environment that could challenge him more. This school is definitely getting better and better. The teachers are highly qualified and caring to their students.
--Submitted by a parent