Riverstone International School
Boise
Idaho
United States
Overview
With 400+ students enrolled from preschool through high school, 45 countries are represented in the school community. A maximum of 32 students from the U.S. and around the world in grades 9-12 are enrolled in Riverstone’s boutique boarding program. The school’s Five Pillars—Academic Excellence, Community and Service, Leadership by Example, International Understanding and Outdoor Education—provide pathways for students to explore academically and personally. These explorations help students develop a greater understanding of who they are and the skill set and mindset to find purpose in their lives. Small classes and strong relationships with teachers facilitate a highly personalized educational experience. With a small student to teacher ratio, students are encouraged to share their perspective and learn from others. These engaging classroom discussions continue when students explore Idaho’s mountains, rivers, and deserts with classmates and teachers. (Or Idaho’s mountains, rivers and deserts provide the backdrop for outdoor education.) The school offers concierge college counseling and athletic, musical, and academic extracurricular activities. Before- and after-care and bus transportation are available. One hundred percent of graduates are accepted into 4-year colleges worldwide. Alumni credit their connections to teachers, friendships with classmates from around the world, the global context of the IB curriculum, and outdoor experiences as having the biggest impact on their future success. The school’s 14-acre campus is nestled between the Boise River and the Greenbelt in southeast Boise. Our recently-built dormitory is located in downtown Boise, the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest, with easy access to skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking. Our four-season climate and safe city provide opportunities for students to recreate, shop, and explore all that our beautiful city and state have to offer. Families are encouraged to explore the application process for tuition assistance and scholarships that do not need to be repaid. Nearly 25% of Riverstone students receive either tuition assistance or scholarships. The school’s mission: Riverstone International School inspires courageous journeys of academic and personal exploration that enable students to lead purposeful lives.
Academics
Summary: Riverstone specialize in the International Baccalaureate programs, and, as a result, our graduates consistently earn the prestigious IB diploma at an average rate above the global average. We limit our core class average to 20 students to ensure that our talented teachers are able to encourage, inspire, and provide personal attention for every student. Small classes also ensure that we can nurture students as they strive to become independent and lifelong learners, with an appreciation for their role as global citizens. The IB programs develop students academically and personally. Every student takes classes in Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, World Language, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. The Personal Project and Extended Essay are capstone projects for the Middle Years and Diploma Programs, in which students refine their research, writing and presentation skills. These projects run the gamut of creativity and are intended to be of personal interest and to be personally challenging for each student. The IB programs are recognized world-wide, and students who earn the IB diploma have higher first-year retention and better success in college/at university. To learn more about the IB at Riverstone, visit https://www.riverstoneschool.org/schools/high-scho ol/academic-excellence/
Department Director Jami Whitner
Student/Teacher Ratio: :
Average Class Size:
Summer Programs: Not Offered
Full Time Teachers:
Number of AP Courses Offered: 0
Teachers Holding Advanced Degrees: 57%
Number of IB Courses Offered: 65
Learning Support
- Peer Tutoring
- Study Skills Assistance
- ADD/ADHD Support
English
- Classics
- Creative Writing
- Honors
- Literature
- Poetry
History
- Asian History
- European History
- World History
Foreign Languages
- Chinese-Mandarin
- Spanish
Humanities / Social Sciences
- World Issues
Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Math
Music
- Composition
- Music History
Performing / Visual Arts
- Art History
Special Programs
- Community Service
- Leadership
- Outdoor Education
Campus Life
Dorm Life
Number of Dorms: 1
Average Students Per Dorm: 30
Number of Girls Dorms: 0
Number of Boys Dorms: 0
Dorm Amenities
- Laundry Facilities
- Lounge
- Wireless Internet
Other Dorm Amenities
Riverstone House is a home-away-from-home for our boarding students. Our boarding coordinators help students feel at home in their new school and new town. We have specially-designed our dormitory with community-building in mind. Learn more: https://www.riverstoneschool.org/boarding-program/riverstone-house/.
Student Life
Student life at Riverstone is adventurous, vibrant, reflective, and fun. Students balance their academic lives with participation in clubs, athletics, Advisory, outdoor adventures, and socializing. The school provides opportunities for all students, regardless of age or ability, to try new things, make mistakes, grow, and learn. Advisory: In order to support courageous journeys of academic and personal exploration, Riverstone’s Advisory program helps each student build positive relationships, increase self-awareness, and pursue a purposeful life, in and out of school. Clubs: Clubs at Riverstone are student-created and student-led. All clubs are open to all students, giving everyone a chance to try their hand at something new, whether it’s solving a Rubik’s cube for the first time, baking a loaf of bread, evaluating our campus’s ecological footprint, or representing another country in Model UN. Athletics: Riverstone boasts a no-cut athletic team policy. Our Otters compete in basketball, volleyball, cross country, soccer, skiing, swimming, and track. Riverstone students can also play sports at the local public schools and clubs, with options including tennis, rugby, football, baseball, and softball. Riverstone’s athletics give everyone a chance to be a part of a team, learn new skills, and compete with others in Idaho and neighboring states. Outdoor Education: Outdoor Education is a Pillar of Riverstone education and often the highlight of an Otter’s student experience. Each year, students participate in multiple outdoor adventures that let them gain progressively more advanced outdoor skills, leading to multi-night backpacking trips during their high school years. Balance & Enrichment: Life is busy for a Riverstone Otter, but there’s time to relax as well. During our Balance & Enrichment periods, students choose what they will do with their time. Many students use the time for socializing with friends, playing pick-up basketball, or participating in a club.
Facilities
- Basketball Court
- Indoor Basketball Court
- Volleyball Court
Other Facilities
Clubs & Organizations
- Chess Club
- Community Service
- Computer Club
- Diversity Club
- Drama Club
- Environmental Club
- Foreign Language Clubs
- Gardening Club
- International Club
- Literary Magazine
- Math Club
- Model UN
- Newspaper
- Outing Club
- Peer Tutoring
- Science Bowl
- Sexualities Club
- Snowboarding Club
- Student Activities
- Student Government
- Student Publications
- Yearbook
- Yoga Club
Arts & Athletics
Summary: Riverstone has a thriving arts program, both academic and extracurricular. The arts are a core subject area in the IB program; we offer visual arts and music. The Senior Art Show and Senior Recital are important celebrations that our community supports and attends. Outside of the classroom, student-formed music groups are mentored by teachers and perform in downtown Boise at locations like coffee shops and performance venues. Yearbook and our student magazine, Emergency, are other artistic outlets. The athletics program emphasizes teamwork, skill development, and sportsmanship. Athletes at all skill levels are welcome to try out for our teams, regardless of past experience. Riverstone Varsity teams have proudly represented the school at district and state levels, in post-season play. Aside from volleyball, basketball, and swimming, Riverstone students can join other athletic teams through a local public school. We also support students who participate in individual endeavors such as cycling, fencing, kayaking, skiing, and more. Our students have included Junior National Cycling Champions, international team cyclists, regional alpine and nordic skier competitors, and Junior National Fencing competitors, as examples. Go Otters!
Arts Department Director:
Athletics Department Director:
Arts
- Art History
Interscholastic Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Volleyball
Recreational Sports
- Alpine Skiing
- Alpine Ski Racing
- Camping
- Cross Country Running
- Mountain Biking
- Nordic Skiing
- Outdoor Education
- Rock Climbing
- Soccer
Graduates
Summary: At Riverstone, our college counseling program is unique because of our thorough understanding of the college application process and personal relationships with students. Our counselors and teachers know every student because they interact and spend time together during classes, advisory groups, extracurricular activities, and outdoor trips. These shared experiences ensure that your student’s essays, teacher recommendations, and applications reflect his or her unique talents, interests, and strengths. Highlights of college counseling at Riverstone include exceptional access to our college counselor for students and families, Pacific Northwest college tour plus college counseling boot camp for grade 11 students, guidance built on extensive experience with a broad spectrum of colleges and universities worldwide, recommendations so personalized they leave college admission teams with no doubt about what our students will bring to their college, and personal support, especially during grade 12, to ensure applications, essays, and interviews represent your student’s authentic self.
College Information
Percentage of graduates who attend college: 100%
| Middle Percentile of SAT Scores | Reading | Math | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | |||
| 75th percentile |
Notable Alumni
Artie Vierkant
Class of 2007
Digital Artist; Forbes 30 Under 30 list 2013
Aled Roberts
Class of 2007
Violinist and Film Composer
Sam Steven, PhD
Class of 2007
Optical Design Engineer and Researcher
Margaret Yang, MS Ed
Class of 2008
Director of Student Affairs and Engagement at Penn Dental
Justin Olnes, PhD
Class of 2007
Wildlife Biologist
Quotes From Alumni
“The fact that I had the foundation from the IB programme provided me with a smooth transition to the MIT pace. I really enjoyed the flexibility and every teacher was so supportive.”
-, Class of 2014, MIT alum
“The opportunity to become friends with students from other countries was invaluable. I loved the extra layer of bringing the rest of the world into my daily life.”
-, Class of 2016, Stanford alum
“I found a new life-long passion for the outdoors at Riverstone. Now when I hike on my own I find I am the most relaxed and happy because I can reflect on my journey in school and my personal life.”
-, Class of 2018, Bates College alum
“The fact that I had the foundation from the IB programme provided me with a smooth transition to the MIT pace. I really enjoyed the flexibility and every teacher was so supportive.”
-Mariya Layurova, Class of 2014, MIT alum
“The opportunity to become friends with students from other countries was invaluable. I loved the extra layer of bringing the rest of the world into my daily life.”
-Zach Clayton, Class of 2016, Stanford alum
“I found a new life-long passion for the outdoors at Riverstone. Now when I hike on my own I find I am the most relaxed and happy because I can reflect on my journey in school and my personal life.”
-Jessica Amok, Class of 2018, Bates College alum
Merit
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 2%
Average Merit Scholarship: 12,000
Current Endowment Amount: $5,000,000
Vital Information
Student Body Type: Coed
Total Boarding: 23
Total Day: 337
Total Enrollment: 360
Boys: 170
Girls: 190
Boarding Grades Offered: 9-12
Day Grades Offered: K-12
School Type: Elementary, Middle, High School
Dress Code: Casual
Applications Accepted: Contact School
Application Deadline: Rolling
Tuition & Financial Aid
7-Day Boarding: $53,580
5-Day Boarding: $38,000
Day Tuition Fee: $20,325
Need-Based Aid: Offered
Payment Plans: Offered
Students Receiving Aid: 20%
Average Awarded: $11,000
School Finances
Merit Scholarships: Offered
Students Receiving Merit Scholarships: 2%
Average Merit Scholarship: $12,000
Current Endowment Amount: $5,000,000
Contact
Director of Admissions: Rachel Pusch
Admissions Phone: (208) 424-5000
Fax: 208-424-0033
Email: rpusch@riverstoneschool.org
Website: https://www.riverstoneschool.org
