Riverdale Country School (Top Ranked Private School for 2024)

5250 Fieldston Road
Bronx, NY 10471

Riverdale Country School Photo #1 - An essential part of the Riverdale Lower School curriculum is environmental education, which teaches students to be environmental stewards and learn how to protect our natural world.

Riverdale Country School Photo #2 - In Middle School, students forge friendships, explore new interests with inspiring mentors, and discover their optimal learning styles.

Riverdale Country School Photo #3 - Riverdale offers more than 60 JV and varsity athletic teams and competes against teams throughout the NYC and Tri-State areas. Student athletes develop confidence, teamwork skills, leadership, and athletic abilities. Over 80% of Middle and Upper School students participate in team sports.

Riverdale Country School Photo #4 - From a recent Middle School production of the musical "Newsies." Middle School students not only perform but also produce, design, and build the sets for two theatrical productions each year. As we like to say at Riverdale, there is no energy like Middle School energy!

Riverdale Country School Photo #5 - Upper School Science fosters interdisciplinary learning, drawing on various subjects, preparing students for real-world challenges. Students also have opportunities to pursue independent research projects guided by faculty mentors.

Riverdale Country School Photo #6 - PreK students participate in weekly nature walks in Riverdale Park, where they observe, take in the sights, sounds, and sensations around them at a slow pace, and learn to appreciate the natural world. Exploring nature in open-ended ways fosters a sense of connection and curiosity, an integral part of the Lower School experience.

Riverdale Country School Photo #7 - In outdoor education programs, students develop valuable leadership skills, face new challenges, and create community.

Riverdale Country School Photo #8 - A student expands their horizons during Middle School Project Week when students get behind-the-scenes experiences in a variety of fields.

Riverdale Country School Photo #9 - Located on 27.5 acres on two campuses in the Bronx, Riverdale provides an unparalleled student experience. Our campuses feature technology-enhanced classrooms, inspiring maker spaces, state-of-the-art science labs, dedicated arts spaces, extensive athletic facilities, and expansive outdoor areas for competition and play. The high challenge, high support community encourages students to engage in critical thinking and develop a love for lifelong learning, while providing them with the resources they require to succeed.

Riverdale Country School Photo #10 - The Middle School Storytelling club visits a community center. This is just one of dozens of different opportunities students may explore with our community partners. Service learning helps students develop into active global citizens.

Riverdale Country School is an established leader in Pre-K through grade 12 education, with a legacy of designing innovative educational practices relevant in the United States and across the globe.

Since our founding in 1907, Riverdale has provided students with a rich and inspiring curriculum.

Our two campuses of 27.5 acres in New York City welcome approximately 1,260 students from 117 zip codes throughout New York City and the Tri-State area.

We value community, both on and beyond our campus, and have a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Today, Riverdale provides an unparalleled comprehensive education, often described as "high challenge/high support." This approach inspires students to achieve academic excellence while equipping them with the tools and support they require to increase their capabilities and develop meaning and purpose in their lives.

The Riverdale experience includes interdisciplinary learning, experiential education, research, domestic and international travel in all three School divisions, athletics, the arts, clubs, and numerous activities. Our mission is to empower lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change the world for the good. Riverdale is a center of the real joy that comes from growing up in a welcoming and supportive community.

Quick Stats (2024)

Top Ranked NY School
Grades: Prekindergarten-12
Enrollment: 1,311 students
Yearly Tuition: $57,140
Application Deadline: Nov. 15
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Riverdale Country School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-12

Year Founded

1907

Student Body

Total Students

1,311 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

52%

State avg.: 40%

Students by Grade

Riverdale Country School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

241 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

5:1

National avg.: 13:1

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Nov. 15

Yearly Tuition Cost

$57,140

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Total Educational Costs for 2024-2025 for Students in PreK-12th Grade: $66,650At Riverdale, our \"tuition\" includes lunch, books, and all required activities.

% on Financial Aid

20%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$49,336

Admissions Director

Jenna R. King

Sports

Total Sports Offered

22 sports

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

104 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Animal Welfare Club, Asian-American Alliance (AAA), Best Buddies, Black Student Association, Boys Leading Boys, Build-A-Ware, Bundles of Joy, Challenged Athletes Foundation Club (CAF), Change Agents, Chess Club, Chinese Cultural Club, City Meals on Wheels, Classics Club, Creative Writing, Culinary Culture Research Club, Debate, Economics and Finance, Engineering and Architecture Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Exploring the Metaverse, Fashion Business Club, Feminist Club, Friday @ The Movies, Girls Learn International, Girls Who Code, GLOW (Gay, Lesbian or Whatever), Habitat for Humanity, HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness), Human Rights Now, Impressions, iOS Club/Programming Club, Jewish in New York, LEAD Girls, Literary magazines (various), Magic: The Gathering Lunch, Maker Alliance, Marine Conservation Club, Math Team, Meet Me in the Middle, MetaDale, Middle Eastern Culture and Appreciation Club, Mock Trial, Model Government, Model U.N., Multiracial and Multicultural students, Open Society, Our Space, Psychology Club, Queer Straight Alliance, RCS Game Making and Game Design, RCSTV, Riv Takes Action, Riverdale Arts Outreach, Riverdale Blockchain and Crypto Club, Riverdale Community Partners, Riverdale Criminal Justice Coalition, Riverdale for Refugees, Riverdale History Magazine, Riverdale Review school newspaper, Robin Hood, Robotics, Rocketry Club, Role-Playing Club, RSPCA (Riverdale Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), SAGV (Students Against Gun Violence), Seneca, Side by Side, SMART Team, Social Impact Investing Club, Spanish Club, SPARTA, Spoken Word Club, Sports Analytics, Sports Business and Management, Student Council, Student-Faculty Council, Students for Electric Buses, Studio (homework help), Summer Camp Community, Sustainability Club, The Association for Feminist Action, The Friendly Fridge Club, The Geography Club, The Medicine Club, The Storytelling Club, USA Bio Olympiad Team, Women in Business, Women in Sports, Yearbook, Youth Fighting Homelessness, Zara's Connection Club, Zawadi By Youth, Zawadi by Youth Microfinance Club, ㄱㄴㄷ (KCC)

Arts and Music Programs:
After-School Art Squad, Ceramics, Dance Team, Film Activity, MCE Club (Music Creation and Engineering Club), Riverdale Flume Ensemble, Testostertones, The Rivertones, Thespians- Chapter

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Falcon Club (6th Grade Athletic Program)

School Notes

Riverdale Country School aims to cultivate the unique talents of its students and to nurture their intellectual, creative, physical, moral, emotional, and social development.
Riverdale is a nonprofit, nondenominational institution that is governed by a 31-member Board of Trustees.
Riverdale Country School is the largest independent school campus in New York City, with a total of 27.5 acres: the 19.5-acre Middle and Upper School Hill Campus for Grades 6-12, and the 8-acre Lower School River Campus for Pre-Kindergarten-Grade 5.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Riverdale Country School cost?

Riverdale Country School's tuition is approximately $57,140 for private students.

What sports does Riverdale Country School offer?

Riverdale Country School offers 22 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Water Polo and Winter Track. Riverdale Country School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in New York for most sports offered.

What is Riverdale Country School's ranking?

Riverdale Country School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in New York for: Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Riverdale Country School?

The application deadline for Riverdale Country School is Nov. 15.

In what neighborhood is Riverdale Country School located?

Riverdale Country School is located in the Fieldston neighborhood of Bronx, NY. There are 3 other private schools located in Fieldston.

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