Diversity Statement

The River School was founded on the belief that inclusion is essential and the best practice of early childhood education.

We are a thriving, diverse community of learners in which human differences are respected, explored, and celebrated as vital reflections of the larger society and world.

We embrace human diversity as a rich, living educational resource and believe
multiculturalism to be relevant and mutually beneficial.

How we think about a child’s capacity affects that child’s performance, and we believe in and are committed to high standards for all children.

Our diversity includes individuals with hearing loss and the broad range of human variability, including dimensions of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender expression, and socioeconomic status.

Diversity is an ongoing process by which a school expresses its commitment to bring different peoples and perspectives into its community, curriculum and culture. We work to create a sense of connectedness so that our members feel safe to explore and challenge dynamic, multifaceted differences in open inquiry.

We understand that such a community is crucial for our students’ future successful
participation in the wider world. With this understanding, we engage in diversity,
equity and inclusion work to nurture our understanding of others and ourselves.

Mission

The River School inspires each child to find their voice.

Pillars

Personalized and Innovative Education

The River School's inclusive model supports the growth of children with and without hearing loss in a dynamic learning environment. We rely on research-based teaching strategies and curricula, transitioning from a play-based, thematic approach to immersive, project-based learning. Through conversation, curiosity, experimentation, and problem-solving, we inspire children to explore, engage and think critically. With small class sizes and low student-teacher ratios, we personalize education to meet each child's unique needs, fostering academic achievement, resilience and empathy.

Highly Engaged Educators, Experts and Professionals

The River School gives each child personalized support for language, literacy and social-emotional development through our co-teaching model that pairs a master's level educator with a speech-language pathologist in every classroom. Educators draw from the best current research in education, which includes River's own nationally recognized and peer-reviewed studies. A multi-disciplinary team of experts, specialists in arts and sciences and graduate interns work with our educators to provide an elevated education experience.

A Community Grounded in Inclusion

The River School is committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion. Staying true to our roots, we cultivate a supportive community through tuition assistance and programs that champion social justice. We help children develop enriched perspectives and prepare them to thrive in our ever-changing society.