Frequently Asked Questions
What is RiverRun?
RiverRun is a small non-public, non-denominational school in
Niskayuna, New York that opened in Fall 2008. RiverRun practices the
educational philosophies of Maria Montessori - providing individualized
education, community classrooms, a holistic approach to learning, and a
focus on achieving social harmony.
Where is
RiverRun located?
RiverRun is located at 2117
Union Street in Niskayuna, just east of the Route 7 / Union Street split.
Note that while this is the building of Congregation Agudat Achim, RiverRun
is an independent organization and not part of Congregation Agudat Achim.
What age children
ARE served?
In 2011-12, RiverRun serves children in
grades 1 to 6 in a multi-age learning environment. RiverRun will grow
with the students up through grade 8.
What makes RiverRun different?
Click
here to read about the key components of a
RiverRun education and here to read
about the key differences between a Montessori and a typical public
elementary school.
What does a typical day at riverrun
look like?
| 8:35 AM -
8:50 AM |
Student Arrival |
| 8:50 AM -
9:00
AM |
Morning Meeting |
| |
overview of the day and
sharing time |
|
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
3-hour Uninterrupted Work Period
|
| |
fosters student concentration
and in-depth discovery |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Recess and Lunch |
| |
recess in our outside play
area and then lunch in our classroom |
| 1:00 PM -
1:15 PM |
American Sign Language (ASL)
group lesson |
| 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM |
Studio Time |
| |
students participate in
art, music, physical education, cooking, science projects, and other
hands-on activities |
| 2:00 PM -
2:45 PM |
Writing Block (2x a week) or
Student Interest Projects (3x a week) |
| |
students are involved in many
kinds of writing activities and lessons including but not limited to
journal writing, exploration of poetry, and free choice
|
| 2:45 PM -
3:00 PM |
Read Aloud |
| 3:05 PM -
3:15 PM |
Dismissal |
Who
overseeS RiverRun?
RiverRun is overseen by a working Board of
Trustees. RiverRun has received a provisional educational charter
from New York State's Board of Regents and reports to New
York State Education Department's Office of Nonpublic Schools.
What is the tuition?
Please see the
tuition page for details. To help keep tuition affordable
as well as to support the "community" aspect of the school, families are asked to contribute
at least 20 volunteer hours to the school each year.
what are the qualifications of
the teaching staff?
The teaching staff are carefully selected to ensure a good match to our
unique learning approach and to ensure a high quality program for all
students.
What IS the school's schedule?
RiverRun operates on a September-June
schedule. Click
here for the current
school year schedule.
School days
are from 8:50 AM to 3:05 PM.
How
ARE students graded/evaluated?
RiverRun students do not take typical tests or receive typical graded
report cards. Rather, students build portfolios, which are
qualitatively evaluated by the students themselves as well as by the
directress. In addition, the directress keeps a journal
for each student and will provide parents with
bi-annual oral and written evaluations of their children that focus on
discussions of strengths and weaknesses in order to appropriately modify the child’s
educational plan.
Is
RiverRun an outreach of any of the existing Montessori primary schools in
the area?
No. While it is our intent to work cooperatively with the existing
Montessori primary schools in the area, RiverRun is its own independent entity.
How do I
apply?
An application (in PDF format) can be downloaded
here.
Alternatively, application materials will be mailed upon request.
