Great River School

A highlight of Great River School is their Key Experiences for all the kids. Every year each grade group A1, A2 & A3, gets out of the classroom learning environment and into a "worldly" experience learning key points along the way. Whether it is a wilderness trek, working on a farm, climbing the Grand Tetons, rebuilding LA from the aftermath of Katrina or biking 100 miles in a week (my kids participated on all of these), lodging is mostly in a camp ground in tents.
As a parent, I saw a need to help the school with managing their camping equipment because these key experiences have been huge in expanding my kids view in the world. Tents needed to be washed & repaired, and the staff needed assistance in getting the packing list developed and equipment ready to go. So, I put a call for help out to the other parents and was pleasantly surprised to see how many others cared so much about these trips. Many parents came together to help clean, organize and repack all of the gear.
I love knowing that this is such an involved community and a true sense of willingness to ensure the school is supported to continue these experiences for our kids.

I know Great River School as a substitute teacher, lego coach for 7th and 8th graders, and because my daughter attends. I am completely sold on the management, staff and structure. I say this as a high school teacher, being able to compare this school to numerous others. This is a great school that engages and pushes students to reach their full potential. My daughter is at times overwhelmed by homework but still says on a daily basis that she had a wonderful time at school. With the fall trip, the students connect in a way that makes them feel safe and free to be themselves--no small accomplishment in 7th graders! I would highly recommend this school to anyone else.

Great River School has been a great place for our daughter to attend her junior high years. She shares her sense of community and citizenship with us daily. The school definitely encourages her to think about how she relates to the world and all the potential roles that she might fill if she so chooses to make a difference. She struggles to stay organized, but cares deeply about what she is learning and always strives to learn more. I cannot ask for a more engaging environment for our youth.