Overview
GRADES 6 THROUGH 8
In Middle School, Riverdale students build independence, curiosity, and a strong academic foundation through exploration of their passions and interests both within and beyond the classroom. In sixth grade, students change classes and navigate the campus in cohorts that are together for English, history, math, and science courses. Sixth graders also take Foundations for Learning, which focuses on public speaking and study skills. Seventh and eighth graders have their own unique schedules, giving them more independence. Middle Schoolers have a choice of languages: Chinese, French, Spanish, or Latin. In sixth and seventh grade, they participate in rotations that expose them to visual arts, choral and instrumental music, and theater, dance, and film, and in eighth grade, they take a full-year course in one arts department. Physical education classes give students an opportunity to learn about specific sports and fitness techniques.
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPPER SCHOOL
GRADES 9 THROUGH 12
In the Upper School, Riverdale students lead their own learning journey, drawing from the independence, curiosity, and foundational skills they developed in Middle School. Upper School experiences challenge students to think creatively and celebrate interdisciplinary learning. After completing foundational courses in 9th and 10th grade in all disciplines, students shift their focus to a series of electives and two capstone interdisciplinary courses: Constructing America, team-taught by English and history teachers, in 11th grade and Integrated Liberal Studies, a multidisciplinary examination of questions of fundamental human importance that draws on philosophy, psychology, art, and literature, in 12th grade. Students choose language courses from among Spanish, ancient Greek, Latin, French, Japanese, and Chinese. They round out their program by taking at least three years of arts courses, with a broad array of options, including film, choral music, sculpture, painting, jazz, or dance, and physical education courses, which provide many options from specific sports to yoga and pilates.
English
KEY GOALS
Throughout a student’s English education at Riverdale, they will, using the lens of literature, ask and reflect on timeless essential questions with which artists and philosophers have wrestled about the complexities of the human condition.
Students will learn to make compelling connections between literary art and their own lived experience. Through this work, students acquire and develop a set of core skills, which are continually refined at increasing levels of sophistication. They will nurture their imagination and hone their critical thinking skills through creative and analytical writing and verbal self expression.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• 4 credits
• Credits are earned through completion of English I in 9th grade, English II in 10th grade, and Constructing America in 11th grade.
• Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) is required in 12th grade.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Borders and Power
• Queering America
• Contemporary American Horror Stories
• Science Fiction: Utopias and Dystopias
• Shakespeare
• Black American Literature
• English and American Poetry, 1600-2000
• The Art of the Essay
• Shakespeare and Film
• Major Novels
• American Literature
• Creative Writing
• Southern Literature
• Literature of the American Immigrant
• Climate Change: An Unnatural History
• Gender, Sexuality, and the Novel
• Thinking About Limits (with History)
History
KEY GOALS
A graduate of the Riverdale History program will approach diverse perspectives with curiosity, respect, and the desire to understand. They will think critically and with nuance about the past and make meaningful connections across time and space. They will be able to answer their questions about the world around them through the identification, evaluation, and careful reading and comprehension of a variety of sources. They will use these skills to build evidence-based historical arguments and engage in meaningful discourse across differences of experience and opinion. During their time at Riverdale and beyond, they will be able to use their understanding of the interplay between systems and individual agency to make sense of the world and their own purpose.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• 3 credits.
• Credits are earned through completion of History I in 9th grade, History II in 10th grade, and Constructing America in 11th grade.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Urban Studies
• Winter Counts: Place, Power, and the Creation of Indigenous Empire
• Voyages and the Imagination
• Out of the Wild: Finding a Future in the National Parks’ Peculiar Past
• Constitutional Law
• Afro-Caribbean Cultures
• Thinking About Limits elective will be a partnership between History and English instead of Science
• Modern Political Thought
• U.S. Women’s History after WWII
• Nietzsche’s Politics
World Languages
KEY GOALS
Language courses aim to progressively and continuously develop students’ language proficiency, understood as the interrelation of linguistic mastery, (inter)cultural competency, and communication skills.
Within that framework, students learn about how language and culture fundamentally shape the ways in which we see ourselves and our world, as well as how to navigate otherness and respectfully consider diverse perspectives and practices. Language classes are populated by proficiency level, not by grade level, with due attention given to social-emotional and developmental needs.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• 3 credits in a single language or 2 credits in each of two languages. (The former option is strongly recommended.)
• 3 credits must be earned in the Upper School. If the latter option is chosen, study in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade in Middle School earns 1 credit. 8%-10% of students also study an additional language in Upper School.
• Ancient Greek is an accelerated 2-year sequence and therefore does not satisfy graduation requirements on its own.
Math
KEY GOALS
The math department seeks to develop creative thinkers who can tackle both familiar and unfamiliar problems by applying prior knowledge, being flexible in their approaches, and embracing mistakes as part of the learning process.
Students will learn that math is a language and recognize that to “speak” fluently requires correct vocabulary and notation. Most importantly, we want students to find joy and beauty in mathematical concepts, while also strengthening their numeracy skills in order to better understand how numbers work so they can use valid reasoning to interpret and critique real-life data.
COURSES
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• All students must complete a minimum of 3 years of Upper School math courses (3 credits) at Riverdale to earn credit for graduation.
• We require all students to complete Upper School math courses in sequential order through either DMAT (Discrete Mathematics, Algebra, and Trigonometry) or Precalculus with Trigonometry.
Students can move into or out of honors or regular courses through a placement process.
Science
KEY GOALS
We seek to develop citizen scientists who appreciate the need for science in addressing real-world problems and enabling responsible decision-making.
We foster curiosity and understanding of physical and natural phenomena, develop student minds, improve their character, and guide them into becoming responsible members of a global community. We aim for students to engage in and understand procedures scientists use to collect, evaluate, and communicate ideas about nature. Through the variety of courses the science department offers, students should graduate with an expanded worldview, a refined appreciation for their place and impact on the world, and increased metacognitive awareness.
COURSES
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• All Middle Students are required to take a grade-wide science course.
• In the Upper School, students must earn 3 credits in science.
• The two required Integrated Biology/Chemistry I and II courses are taken in 9th and 10th grades.
• The third credit may be met by any yearlong physics offering.
Computer Science
KEY GOALS
The
aim of the computer science department is for students to address real problems with an understanding of the ways technology intersects with society.
Coding is never taught as an exercise or skill for its own sake but always for a purpose. Computer science engages students to think analytically and critically. To problem solve, design, and build solutions in computer science, students enrolled in our courses are exposed to a variety of modern programming languages including block-based coding, JavaScript, Processing/p5.js, Python, C#, Java, Swift, and R. The computer science department sees interdisciplinary learning as one of the foundations of computer science and endeavors to explore opportunities for incorporation of computer science into other departments.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• Students must complete one semester of computer science in the Upper School.
• For students new to computer science, we offer two introductory CS courses: Robotics and Visual Coding with Web Development.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Interdisciplinary CS - Statistics with R
• Science Research
Physical Education
KEY GOALS
At Riverdale, our physical education program is designed to empower students to build strength, confidence, and a lifelong love for movement.
Through engaging activities, teamwork, and personal challenges, we strive to inspire a commitment to health, fitness, and well-being—both now and in the future. Our goal is to help every student discover the joy of physical activity and the power of perseverance, leadership, and a positive mindset.
Middle School students are exposed to many sports and disciplines, allowing students to explore potential interests. Each MS PE year rotates in varied units that allow students to discover what they are most passionate about.
Offerings include fitness, dodgeball, floor hockey, swim, basketball, ultimate frisbee, kickball, volleyball, soccer, softball, handball, lacrosse, and pickleball. In each of these units, we build upon basic skills, rules, strategies, and team sportspersonship so that students gain a broader understanding of each sport/ discipline.
Upper School Physical Education is elective based where a student chooses which offering fits their needs or interests best. Offerings go more in depth and are programmed in a more thorough, specified, evolving manner. There are three main units: fitness, group sports, and yoga.
Fitness explores a variety of different topics, such as nutrition, stress relief, strength training, agility training and cardiovascular endurance. The objective is to expose students to a range of exercise methods that they can continue to implement outside of class and create routines for their daily life. Students work with staff members to create a fitness routine tailored to meet their personal needs and goals.
Group Sports allows students to participate in team-oriented sports. The Group Sports offerings allow students to be physically active, as well as develop basic skills and game knowledge. The lessons consist of drills to learn and improve fundamental skills and strategies, as well as opportunities for implementation during competitive and/or modified gameplay.
Our Yoga offering allows students to practice basic vinyasa yoga flow postures, breathing techniques, and relaxation methods of yoga. Students will experience the health benefits of yoga, including improved muscular strength, flexibility, and balance.
Health
KEY GOALS
We provide an evidence-based model of health education, using proven and current best practices for each unit.
The program is framed by healthy approaches to decision-making, boundaries, and relationships. Our prevention units focus on providing essential information and developing critical thinking/risk assessment skills. Human sexuality education units are inclusive and prioritize: respect for all gender identities and sexual orientations, safety, intimacy/mutuality, positive experiences, and positive memories. Consent weaves through most units: regarding interactions in friendships, online experiences, and romantic and/or sexual relationships.
Middle School Arts Rotation
KEY GOALS
In the Middle School, we want our students to experience the broad range of Riverdale arts offerings.
Students begin in sixth grade with a rotation through most of our arts departments to develop a sense of which areas interest them. In seventh grade, they select two arts, and in eight grade, we ask them to take a deep dive for the year into one art of their choice.
Upper School Arts
KEY GOALS
In the Upper School, students will take 3 full years of arts courses. That requirement can be satisfied by taking courses in Art and Design, Music, or Theater, Dance, and Film.
UPPER SCHOOL COURSES
Theater, Dance & Film
KEY GOALS
The Theater, Dance, and Film Department at Riverdale Country School is committed to nurturing storytellers and empathetic artists who use their craft to connect, inspire, and challenge the world.
We provide a collaborative, inclusive space where students develop the technical skills, creative vision, and emotional intelligence necessary to bring diverse narratives to life. Our mission is to prepare graduates who are not only skilled artists and problem-solvers, but also compassionate advocates for the arts and arts education as a way to learn imperative life skills.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• Students are required to take 3 years of arts in the Middle School and 3 years of arts courses in the Upper School.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Dance for Athletes
Music
KEY GOALS
Our mission is to inspire students to become lifelong musical participants as performers, advocates, and supporters of the performing arts.
We strive to give our students a global understanding of music’s evolution and cultural importance. We value the art of performance, creativity within the art form, and the ability to intelligently discuss and appreciate a wide variety of music in all its forms. Our music program emphasizes foundational skills in vocal, instrumental, and ensemble music while nurturing teamwork, collaboration, and creativity. Students begin with exploration, progress to focused tracks, and connect their learning to the broader world through performances at Riverdale and beyond.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• Students are required to take 3 years of arts in the Middle School and 3 years of arts courses in the Upper School.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Chamber Music 6-12
• Private Lessons Program
Art and Design
KEY GOALS
The department of art and design encourages students to explore their creativity, express their unique identities, and develop both technical skills and critical thinking. In a dynamic, collaborative environment, we foster selfexpression, open-mindedness, and creative problem-solving.
Through human-centered design and a deeper understanding of art’s role in society, we empower students to make a positive impact on the world. Our program nurtures creative confidence, innovation, and a lasting appreciation for the visual world, preparing students to navigate an ever-evolving future with creativity and purpose.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• Students are required to take 3 years of arts in the Middle School and 3 years of arts courses in the Upper School.
ELECTIVES IN 2025-2026
• Word and Image
• Open Studio (requires 2 years of prior arts experience)
• PICA (Projects in Contemporary Art)