Welcome to the comprehensive website of The Rivers School! I encourage you to explore our programs and the philosophy driving them within these pages, and I hope you’ll follow up on your exploration with a visit to campus to meet the people who make The Rivers School experience so special.

At Rivers we take pride in the fact that we are not a “one size fits all” school. Our talented faculty is driven by the belief that each student is unique, and we focus our work on each student’s journey to find and to develop his or her unique attributes and passions. We offer a rigorous program in a caring, supportive community where each child is known, understood, and valued. We know that this approach propels our students to live happy, productive lives and we work to that end every single day.

“Excellence with Humanity” drives everything we do. From our comprehensive advisor program to diversity initiatives, from an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum to programs that enhance student leadership - The Rivers School prepares students for an ever-changing world.

I hope you will come for a visit soon and see firsthand what Rivers is all about! We look forward to welcoming you here!

Ned Parsons
Head of School

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  • Learn more about Ned Parsons

    Edward (Ned) V. Parsons is Rivers’ eighth Head of School. Prior to assuming his position on July 1, 2014, he was the dean of faculty at Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut.

    Ned joined Loomis Chaffee in 1994 as an English teacher and coach after three years at Salisbury School. He became dean of students in 1999 and transitioned to dean of faculty in 2007. During his tenure he also coached the girls’ varsity ice hockey team for 12 years and served as an admissions associate for three years. He is a thoughtful, creative, and engaging leader who has overseen a number of initiatives including a campus-wide curriculum review, the creation of a teaching and learning center, and the establishment of vibrant interdisciplinary centers.

    Ned has a B.A. in political science from Middlebury College (where he was also captain of the hockey team), a M.A. in English from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, and a Ed.M. in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He was educated in the New Trier Township public schools north of Chicago, and attended a post-graduate year at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut.

    In the course of his career, Ned has acquired a broad range of administrative experience, developed collaborative and productive relationships with faculty, and most importantly, maintained a strong commitment to students. The focus of his career has been on creating the best educational experience for students so they may become whole people who value arts and athletics, intellect and integrity, friendship and fairness.