ACADEMICS
middle school
FOUNDATIONS
FOR LIFELONG LEARNING
At Riverview, middle school students grow independently and socially while taking their core academic classes. Teachers meet students where they are academically, socially, and developmentally to build the foundation for a successful educational journey. Talents are celebrated, and students learn the importance of hard work, collaboration, and perseverance.
OUR APPROACH
Our world-class staff and facilities provide the perfect environment for your student to hone both their academic and interpersonal skills.
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Curriculum
Students receive daily instruction in reading, writing and math. Lessons are built around central themes and projects that connect subjects like literature, history, the arts, and experiential learning. Students also learn science and social studies in their Project-Based Learning course, which concludes in a year-end final project. Through field trips, hands-on activities, and cross-curricular projects, Riverview Middle School students see the real-world relevance of what they’re learning.
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Small, Supportive Classrooms
Many Riverview Middle School students come from one-on-one learning environments. Here, they begin the important transition to group learning, including skills such as following classroom routines, collaborating with peers, and developing greater independence. Students are thoughtfully grouped by ability level to ensure they’re appropriately challenged and supported, and classroom ratios are often smaller than our standard 8:1 to provide even more individualized attention.
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Social-Emotional Learning
Social-emotional growth is integrated throughout the academic day. Students learn how to manage emotions, build friendships, and navigate the ups and downs of adolescence with support from caring staff and peers.
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Education at Riverview extends beyond the classroom. Students explore the surrounding Cape Cod community through field trips, service learning, and experiential projects, applying what they’ve learned in meaningful, real-world contexts.
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Technology Integration
Middle School students also begin learning new technology tools that support their organization, communication, and learning strategies, building digital literacy alongside academic skills.
Inclusive Support Services
Specialized services such as speech and language therapy, targeted reading instruction, and social skills training are embedded throughout the curriculum. All students receive these services at no additional cost to the family.
In Middle and High School, Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) focus on developing students’ foundational communication and learning strategies. Students actively engage in meaningful projects that connect to the school or a broader community while targeting specific speech and language goals. SLPs work closely with staff to adjust individual supports, such as cueing techniques or visual aids, and provide practical tools that help students transfer classroom skills into functional, everyday use. Services are delivered in the classroom, during off-campus trips, and in less structured social environments such as homeroom and lunch.
One-on-one reading assessments are conducted three times a year to inform instruction and guide class placement. Our Reading Specialists are certified dyslexia instructors following the Wilson Reading System, and work with all students to empower them to be active readers.
Riverview’s reading program is designed to meet each student at their current level, providing personalized instruction to support growth across all stages of reading development. Our readers build essential foundational skills, while deepening their understanding through text analysis and independent thinking. Students read age-appropriate adapted texts, giving them the ability to have the same educational experience as neurotypical students their age.
Each student is assigned an advisor to work on an established goal. Whether addressing coping strategies, problem-solving, advocacy, boundaries, friendships, or other areas, advisors collaborate with the student’s team to provide individualized support tailored to achieving this goal. Once a foundation is established and skills are developed, students are encouraged to problem-solve independently, fostering greater independence and self-confidence.
dorm life
Dorm life is where many Middle School students grow the most. With support from trusted residential staff, students learn to live alongside peers, build friendships, and practice life skills like cleaning, cooking, and managing downtime. Dorm life encourages independence, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
day students
Day students participate fully in classes and afternoon activities alongside their boarding peers, ensuring a rich and immersive school experience. Once a month, they stay into the evening for special events such as school dances or school performances, helping them build strong social connections with their peers. Families receive consistent communication, including monthly emails from the day student coordinator, academic updates from their student’s academic lead, and social-emotional check-ins.
