Riverview School Featured in the Book “Elevate: 16 Boarding Schools and the Practice of Holistic Education”

Riverview School is proud to be featured in Elevate: 16 Boarding Schools and the Practice of Holistic Education, released in March of 2026. Authored and edited by Jake Weld and Jeremy McGeorge, the book highlights 16 schools that are currently offering a holistic approach to education.

Riverview’s chapter emphasizes our commitment to honoring each student and family’s unique journey and providing a personalized approach to learning. A Riverview education goes beyond academics; it fosters true, whole-student growth.

Read on for an excerpt from Riverview’s chapter on Holistic Education, or to purchase your own copy of the book!

“Cape Cod is known for its lighthouses. Quiet, unwavering sentinels that shine through fog and storm, guiding weary travelers safely to shore. They stand not only as a beacon of light, but as a symbol of hope, especially for those who feel lost at sea. Its mission is simple: it’s to lead us home. Riverview is one such lighthouse, where every student, no matter the tide they’ve weathered, can chart a course forward, and where every family, no matter the worry, can find the same, steady light, guiding them home. It’s the kind of place that offers what all of us long for when we’re searching for direction: the gift of safety, the gift of dignity, the gift of possibility.”

– Justin Gray, Riverview Alum Sibling and Board of Trustees Member 

The journey to Riverview often starts with a conversation in a doctor’s office. A classroom. Maybe a friend’s birthday party. A missed developmental milestone that leads to a quiet concern that keeps a parent up at night. For many Riverview families, this is only the beginning of a long road to finding our School, as it is in that moment that everything changes. What once seemed like a typical childhood now holds questions and uncertainty. No blog, book, or newsletter can prepare them for the weight of that realization: it’s them and their child, navigating a world that doesn’t always make room for difference. It is the unexpected start of a lifelong journey that they never imagined taking. 

A medical, neurological, or communication diagnosis is only the first step, as these limitations in development and independence can lead to isolation from peers and a tendency to be overlooked in educational, social, and everyday environments. The focus shifts to “fixing what’s wrong” rather than developing personal passions or recognizing strengths and abilities. Families can often see their child’s capabilities better than anyone else, putting them in a position of having to push back and become the ultimate advocate for their child’s potential, and their right to be appreciated for who they truly are. Even school districts, the institutions created to educate and protect children, sometimes cannot provide satisfactory services, hindering basic educational foundations for children with higher needs.

At Riverview, a school for students with complex language, learning, and cognitive challenges, we understand what many families are searching for: a place where their child is not only supported but truly seen, valued, and empowered. Often internally called “The True Happiest Place On Earth” among families and staff, students shine as their differences aren’t seen as something to shy away from. They are no longer pulled out of the classroom, no longer sitting on the sidelines of the basketball game, and no longer struggling to find their social circle. 

Upon first glance, Riverview seems like a classic New England independent boarding and day school, with its state-of-the-art buildings, smiling staff and students, and beautiful campus. However, underneath this familiar “boarding school” surface lies a mission deeply focused on each individual. Riverview offers a robust range of programming to fit the needs of our Middle and High School students, and also provides an additional transition program for post-secondary students called “GROW,” or “Getting Ready for the Outside World.” GROW acts as a college campus of sorts, with students increasing their vocational hours and learning advanced independent living skills alongside Functional Academics. At its core, Riverview was designed to foster competence and confidence across academics, social development, and autonomy within our students.  An even closer look would quickly reveal that what happens on the Riverview campus is nothing short of miraculous. 

So, here lies the question: what, exactly, does Riverview do differently that creates these miracles? Riverview’s mixture of an innovative curriculum designed around educating the Whole Student, as well as increased programming for families and alumni, creates an educational model of support unlike any other. Here, every student is recognized as an individual with unique strengths, needs, and dreams. They are given a voice in shaping their own aspirations, and families are embraced as essential partners in the journey. Our team of dedicated staff members works closely with students and families to provide the right balance of structure, assistance, challenge, and opportunity, ensuring each student grows academically, socially, and emotionally, and strengthens even their everyday life skills. It’s more than a school; it’s a community that believes in every child, celebrates all student progress, and prepares them to lead a life filled with purpose, belonging, and joy.

To read the rest of Riverview School’s chapter, you can purchase the book using the link below!