About
Riverview School was founded in 1957 by Mr. William Janse, a visionary educator who believed that students with learning challenges could realize their potential. He and his partner, Mr. Burgess Butler, opened a summer camp on a 5-acre tract that was later expanded into the present 23-acre campus. The camp was so successful that it evolved into a school established under its original name, Hopefields School.
During the late 1960s, Riverview established a long-term relationship with the Learning Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Groundbreaking work in tailored academic programming and social skill building for individuals with disabilities was developed on Riverview’s campus.
Over the ensuing decades, programs to facilitate independent living skills for our students have included the initiation of a transition program (for students ages 17–21), Getting Ready for the Outside World (GROW). The program formed an alliance with Cape Cod Community College to offer a college experience to students. Our music, arts, dance, and drama programming has also been greatly expanded to demonstrate our commitment to developing the whole student.
Today, we serve students ages 11 to 21 with language, learning and intellectual disabilities from across the country and across the globe as well as the Cape Cod community.
In 2025, an innovative new program, designed to foster lifelong community, connection, and opportunity for Riverview School alumni was born – Friends Forever. Friends Forever marks the start of an exciting new chapter of support and growth through meaningful social engagement, work experience, and inclusive living spaces.
When the Riverview GROW program first started, it was known as CAPS, the Career Apprenticeship Program.
Holtmeier Dorm now stands on the site of a small house that burned down. Many pounds of honey were stored there over the course of many generations!
Campus used to be the site of the largest farm in the area; Lund Auditorium now sits on what used to be a farm pond!
Years ago, the salt marsh directly across from Riverview’s campus supplied much of East Sandwich with hay.
