Riverside Academy was established in 1970 to fulfill the educational needs of students in the parishes of St. Charles, St. James, and St. John the Baptist. It is a school comprised of grades pre-K 3 through 12th grade. The school site covers 20 acres and consists of 10 buildings.
The faculty at Riverside Academy realizes that the school must meet the needs of all students whether they plan to attend college, vocational technical school, or enter the work force immediately. The Riverside Academy curriculum is diverse in its nature to meet the needs of each of our students. The curriculum offers a solid foundation for those students desiring to attend a two or four-year college, as well as those desiring to pursue a trade or attend a technical college.
The flexibility of the curriculum enables our students to exercise the freedom of choice while encouraging critical thinking and decision-making skills as they grow and mature into young adults who will contribute positively to society.
The school’s athletic programs are very successful and have earned state championships in football, basketball, baseball, softball, and golf. Athletic teams in track, swimming, soccer, volleyball, powerlifting, and cross-country are also a part of the school’s athletic program.
The school also has an exceptional music program beginning in grade 4. A concert band and marching band are included for students in grades 7-12. Choir and theater are also offered in the high school grades as elective classes.
Riverside offers many other opportunities for students to join various clubs or sports teams and to participate in student government.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
As students enter the middle grades, additional options are available for them. Faculty and administration encourage participation in clubs, teams, or organizations. Academic and sports organizations play a huge part in developing adolescents into young men and women.
The curriculum is expanded to include seven class periods each day. The core curriculum (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies), as well as classes in art, music, computer, library, writing, journalism, and study skills is offered to students.
Middle school students also participate in many school-wide activities. Similar to high school, ceremonies are held at year-end to celebrate middle school being a special place for Riverside Academy students.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Riverside Academy is truly a unique place. In a time when students may attend as many as four different schools prior to high school graduation, Riverside Academy offers the opportunity to enter at age three and graduate from high school without ever changing schools.
The elementary school at Riverside provides a sound education for its students. Textbooks are kept current, and all children are instructed on grade level. For students who need more one-on-one instruction, Riverside offers the services of the Learning Center. The faculty believes in strong academics but also considers the students’ social and psychological development a top priority.
In addition to providing top academic programs, Riverside offers a variety of extra-curricular and academic enrichment activities for students in all grades. All students from grades one to three participate in a general music program, and by fourth grade students are learning to read music and play instruments. From third grade to fifth, the boys have an organized football program, and the girls have a combination cheerleading/dance group that they may join. In the fall, Biddy Basketball is offered to students from grades one to five. Riverside also has a boys and girls elementary soccer program and a swimming program. Riverside Academy is proud of its award-winning 4-H program, which is open to students in the upper elementary grades. Elementary students are also included in many of the assemblies that take place on campus; Friday pep rallies during football season are favorites.
Strong academics, a variety of extra curricular activities, and a caring, compassionate faculty make the elementary school at Riverside Academy the best in the River Parishes!
