The guiding philosophy of Rivers is to provide a balanced, supportive, and challenging environment in which students learn and grow. Essential to this philosophy is the creation of a school atmosphere filled with a unique blend of rigor and inspiration. The key to accomplishing the school's ambitious goals for its students is the presence of an enthusiastic, intelligent, and dedicated corps of teachers. Rivers' faculty is the principal part of the invitation we daily extend to students to pursue excellence.

To that end, Rivers values teachers who are not only experts in their disciplines (roughly 75 percent of our faculty have advanced degrees), but also role models and mentors. Our teachers are artists, scientists, poets, musicians, and athletes in their own right. And, each summer, nearly a third of our faculty receives enrichment grants to pursue advanced degrees, take new courses, further their passions, or travel.

Just as important as knowledge is a teacher's ability to reach a student with compassion, humor, and empathy. That's why you'll often see a student and a teacher involved in a review session in a departmental office, eating lunch together in the dining room, playing a game of one-on-one in the gym, or simply chatting as they walk down the quad between classes. Striking the right balance between expectation and compassion is what teachers at Rivers do best.

Equally relevant and essential to achieving its broad mission is the school's comprehensive curriculum. Our program requires students to take essential core academic courses, offers a rich array of electives in academic areas and in the visual and performing arts, and requires participation in sports, community service, and other cocurricular activities. This integrated approach to education encourages students to gain knowledge and analytical skills as well as an appreciation for self-expression, self-discipline, and a healthy respect for themselves and others.

Here is the message we give our students: You can do great things, you can discover what makes you unique, you can come to understand what it takes to achieve excellence, and, finally, you can begin the process of becoming the adult you want to be.