Welcome

As I begin my new chapter as ninth head of school, I want to personally welcome you to The Rivers School and our extraordinary community of learners and educators.

Everywhere you turn on our beautiful 55-acre campus—whether in our classrooms, labs, athletic fields, studios, or performance spaces—you’ll see our guiding philosophy of Excellence with Humanity brought to life. It is a way of thinking that dovetails so closely with my own educational principles, and it is what initially drew me to Rivers. It places students at the center of all that we do. With the support and encouragement of talented, dedicated teachers, coaches, advisors, and mentors, our students help shape and define their Rivers experience, in ways both big and small. 

At Rivers, we know that all students can achieve excellence and become their best selves when given the guidance and resources to discover and pursue their own passions. They are co-creators on this journey, and we are here to guide them as they learn and grow. 

Supported risk-taking is very much part of the Rivers experience—the kind of risk-taking that can only take place in a community where every student is known, valued, and understood. In turn, that insight is forged through strong, authentic relationships, and those relationships come first and foremost at Rivers. 

For our current students and families, welcome back. To our prospective students considering a Rivers education, we look forward to embarking on this journey with you. I look forward to seeing all of you on campus soon to experience what makes Rivers such a remarkable place. 

Warmly,

Ryan S. Dahlem
Head of School