Middle School Overview
Our program supports students in developing strong academic and social-emotional skills while navigating the transition to multiple classes, teachers, and evolving peer relationships. Purposeful time is built into the program to foster community, connection, and confidence during this important stage of growth.
Our Approach
Small classes and caring, experienced staff make all the difference
The Middle School years are a pivotal time of growth as students develop their sense of self while learning how to thrive within a larger community. At Riverstone, we intentionally keep classes small so every student is well known, supported, and challenged by their teachers. These close relationships build confidence and encourage students to be courageous—whether solving algebraic equations, presenting in Mandarin or Spanish, filtering water from a stream, or raising a hand to share an idea.
Middle School students move between classrooms and learn from IB-trained subject-area specialists who collaborate closely to help students make meaningful connections across disciplines and to the real world. Small class sizes allow for hands-on learning, meaningful projects, and frequent field experiences, where students strengthen skills in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and independent research.
The International Baccalaureate Experience
We are the first school in Idaho authorized to develop our own International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme curriculum. We are committed to ensuring that we meet the true philosophy of the Middle Years Programme, which is a challenging framework that encourages students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world. Each year, our teachers and administration reflect upon and refine our curriculum to ensure we are meeting the needs of students. Just as our world and our students are ever-evolving, our teaching practices evolve.
Five pillars create pathways to exploration
We believe that a well-rounded education leads to a well-rounded individual, ready to take advantage of opportunities in a changing world. The five pillars at Riverstone become the pathways that our students develop their academic and personal skills, as well as connect classroom learning to the greater world: Academic Excellence, Community and Service, Leadership by Example, International Understanding, and Outdoor Education.
The five pillars are integrated into the education our students experience and lie at the heart of who we are. Please read more by perusing the tabs for each pillar so that you can see how your child will grow and develop.
Building community and connections
The transition to Middle School can be both exhilarating and unnerving for students, as they learn to navigate multiple classrooms and teachers, as well as their own social network. To support them in this transition, we have he Blast Program available for students to develop their middle school academic and organizational skills. Students are part of multi-age River Camp Advisory groups that build tradition through fun competitions throughout the year, plan social events, and join athletic and academic teams.
Homeroom Advisory: This is a time for middle school students to begin and end the day with thoughtfulness and intention. Students meet in small groups with the same teacher both morning and afternoon. Students engage in mindfulness, homework checks, and organizational and social support.
Support Block: Support Block meets 2 times per week and is a time set aside for students to engage in more individualized learning including “tune-ups” and support in areas of growth as well as extension in areas of strength. Students will set and review year goals as well as engage in social and emotional learning sessions. This time also allows extra time for intensive projects such as National History Day.
