Riverhill prides itself as a school preparing students for a challenging future. Our programs encourage more than just academic achievement. Students learn to ask questions, show concern for others, express themselves creatively, enjoy productive relationships, expand their abilities, rise to new challenges, and change with a changing world. Using the Alabama Course of Study as a basic framework, our teachers enhance with their own unique projects and activities. Only through a visit to campus can the atmosphere be fully appreciated.

To put our views on education into perspective, here is a letter we send to our students with their first report card of the year. It was written by Ann Marie Corgill and adapted for the Riverhill Family.

Dear Amazing Kids (Who are Learning AND Teaching),

It’s report card time.  Before you look at your report card, we would like for you to read this letter.  We want you to always remember that YOU are more important than numbers, letter grades, or scores.  It is your hard work, your never-give-up attitude, your determination, your willingness to help others, and your character that matter most . . . not just now, but forever.

Please remember that one grade on a report card does not assess all of what it is that makes each of you special and unique, and it certainly cannot tell the complete and wonderful story of who you are.

The report card can never show that you are a guitar player or a piano player or that you want to be a teacher or a vet when you grow up.  It will never show how your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter brightens our days.

The report card will never be able to tell everyone how hard you work each day in developing a growth mindset or that you remember to save a seat for a friend who needs a buddy or that you have travelled to really neat places with sugar sandy beaches or snow capped mountains or that you are being brave for your dad–or your mom–or that you have been through a big change at home during these first few months.

The report card has no way of showing what you wonder about the future or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister and wipe their tears when they are sad.  The report card cannot tell that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends.  It will not tell us that you are tenderhearted, trustworthy, kind, or thoughtful, and that you try every day to be your very best.

The report card will tell you something, but it will not tell you everything.  You are growing forward as a learner and as a person every day.  You are evidence that there are many ways to be smart and kind and awesome!  We are looking forward to even more learning and growing and teaching with you this year!

Love and happy first nine weeks,

Your Riverhill Teachers