Experience Riverside School

A hopeful and healthy path toward academic achievement

When a student is unable to navigate their academic and social/emotional needs within their local public middle or high school, an out-of-district placement may be the logical next step. That’s where we come in.

Riverside School is a welcoming respite for adolescents seeking a calm, safe space to grow, learn, and heal.  We work closely with families, special education coordinators, and the student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) teams to determine whether Riverside School is a good fit. In doing so, we recognize students whose struggles manifest in disruptive, aggressive, or violent behavior are not well suited to our environment and are better served by other programs.

If a student is eligible for out-of-district placement, and Riverside School may be a potentially suitable school, the youth’s school district may submit an eligibility application. Interested families are welcome and invited to contact us for more information. Ultimately, the application for admission must be submitted by the referring school district. Once the application is reviewed, a key and valued part of the admissions process is a site visit that gives prospective students and families the opportunity to experience our school community first hand. We want every student to feel at home from the moment they walk in the door.

Out-of-district placement at Riverside School is publicly funded by the state of Massachusetts and the student’s originating school district. We accept applications throughout the calendar year on a rolling basis. Our school operates year-round from 9:00 am to 3:15 pm, Monday through Friday. We are in session a total of 226 days annually.