High School Learning Map
Our Approach
Personalized Path to Success
The High School Learning Map helps students, families, and advisors visualize each student’s unique journey through Grades 9–12. More than a course plan, it connects academic goals, IB requirements, leadership opportunities, extracurricular connections, and individualized support into one comprehensive roadmap.
As students discover their interests and strengths, the Learning Map helps them make intentional choices that prepare them for college and beyond. High school is also where students begin connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences through Riverstone’s 15 exclusive Bridge Internship partnerships, service opportunities, and extracurricular connections that align with their future goals.
Student Spotlight – Lukas H. (’27)
Very early on, in the seventh grade, when I first joined Riverstone, I became sure of what I wanted to study. In the seventh grade, in English class us students entered into the National History Competition, writing a presentation for a grade. Randomly selecting a subject to cover I was recommended the EBR-1 – the world’s first nuclear power plant built in Arco, Idaho. I did extensive research on the EBR-1, Idaho National Labs, and nuclear power in general, and in the process developed a fascination for the complex workings of a nuclear reaction. In competition, I advanced to state and even won a $500 scholarship. Judges were fascinated with my understanding and comprehension of nuclear engineering as well as my avid interest in it. Even today, I have my eyes set on a nuclear engineering degree, and with Riverstone College’s counseling faculty’s help, I have been able to prepare for this future, attending an internship at a nuclear lab in Idaho Falls last summer, and taking courses on nuclear engineering at Colorado School of Mines and the University of Michigan this summer.
A large part of a student’s life at Riverstone is the DP program. For the DP program, a student must select 3 classes for them to take higher level (HL) courses in. When entering the DP, I had to choose 3 HL classes that would fit my intended major and career best. While an English HL was required, I still had 2 HL slots to use wisely, deciding the next 2 years of my high school education. In the end, after deliberation with the school’s college counselor, DP coordinator, and the High School director, to select physics and math as the HL classes that work for me. Since my selection, roughly 6 months ago, I am extremely happy with my HL choices, and I’m glad I chose what I chose. Riverstone faculty helped me realize that a physics HL would trump a chem HL, as I must take mechanical engineering as a prerequisite for nuclear. The teachers in my selected HL classes have been extremely helpful all semester, allowing me to retake tests, having 1-on-1 meetings with me, and providing me with extra study material in prep for tests. With RIS faculty’s help, I was able to make the perfect selections for my HLs that are ot only fun classes but are also perfect for my future prospects.
Nuclear engineering is not a common career; classes aren’t designed around it, and even the most basic topics in nuclear engineering are too complex for a simple physics class. In a drought for knowledge, which would leave me underprepared for university, I was able to find a path through with help from the IB curriculum and outside programs. The EE, a 2-year essay IB students write over their junior and senior year of high school, provided much assistance in my search for knowledge. The EE has acted as a route for me to do my own nuclear research, and even this afternoon, I plan to conduct an experiment to measure the effects of a medium on radiation travel. The EE allowed me to continue doing my own research with the oversight of qualified and experienced educators, preparing me for a future career and education in nuclear engineering.
Student Spotlight – Max E. (’26)
Attending Riverstone has exposed me to many different opportunities. From being involved with Many different types of sports, to attending classes that really push the extent of knowledge that you can gain from them. Over the years, I have found that I have a heightened interest in science and sales. Riverstone has given me many opportunities inside and outside the classroom to better understand myself and how I want to live the rest of my life.
My junior year at Riverstone, I had a decision: I could either take a study hall as a class or choose an elective. I decided to go with an elective. I chose a home course where we learned how to cook and take care of our utensils in the kitchen, but also learned how our cars work and how to fix them, and we also dealt with how to save our money in the future, whether you’re dealing with taxes or just trying to save money for college. I believe this class is definitely going to help me in the future, whether it’s just some useful knowledge that I can call upon in the future, or knowledge that I will use in my field of study during college
Riverstone is very good at letting their students choose their own path, and for everybody, it’s different. For me, I was very sports-oriented, and even though Riverstone didn’t offer the sports for high schoolers that I wished to do, I was still able to participate and do these Sports through a separate School while getting the education and taking the classes that I chose for myself. This gave me a strong sense of independence, being able to choose my destiny, or just choose my day-to-day schedule, helped me better understand who I am as a person. Riverstone is also very good and understanding about when a person needs breaks, not just the holidays that schools get throughout the year, but our class or school trips, whether it be backpacking in Grand Gulch with your friends or rafting down the river for a week. Doing these trips always gave me a sense of a bigger picture that not everything is about school, and it’s okay to relax and involve yourself with nature from time to time. The trips that we take throughout the school year also help you to come closer and create bonds with your classmates that undoubtedly will last a lifetime. Riverstone helped me become more confident about my future by giving me Independence and letting me make decisions on my own, whether it be the classes that I take, the trips that I decide to go on, or not to go on. Riverstone supports this anyway they can.
Student Spotlight – Vera B. (’27)
My experience at Riverstone has allowed me to explore many different paths so that I can understand what I want to pursue in the future. At the beginning of my Riverstone journey, I had no clue what I wanted to do in my future. But today, as I’m heading into senior year next semester, I know I want to go to college and study a science like chemistry or biology (or a mix of both) so that I can be prepared to go to medical school later. Furthermore, Riverstone has also helped me decide what type of college I’m looking for, whether that be big or small, and liberal arts or more research-focused. Obviously, what I want right now might change a little or a lot over time, but Riverstone has helped me build a foundation that I can use in the future.
I chose to focus my extended essay in my CORE class on chemistry, studying the effects of a metallic fish (The Lucky Iron Fish) on iron release into water that can be used to cook food and increase iron intake. This choice felt meaningful because it combined my interest in science with a real-world application. Through this project, I was able to explore how chemistry directly impacts people’s lives. It also gave me hands-on experience that can prepare me for my future.
Wild Hearts, a nonprofit organization based in Boise, has helped me gain strong leadership skills by pushing me outside of my comfort zone and teaching me how to support others. Similarly, my involvement with Riverstone sports has built my confidence and ability to lead a team and stay disciplined. My job as a swim instructor at the YMCA has strengthened my patience and responsibility, as I’ve learned how to teach skills clearly. Finally, my Riverstone classes, especially with the DP, have taught me about rigour, time management, and working hard for success.
