"We have been thrilled with Rivers’ supportive, close-knit community where students are challenged to excel academically, athletically, and as overall human beings. We’ve been particularly impressed with the personal attention given to our children by their teachers and advisors. We have seen these teachers go the extra mile to make sure our children are engaged in the classroom, understand the material and feel comfortable asking questions. They make themselves available as needed to answer those questions, often beyond formal classroom time. The amount of interaction our children have had with their teachers has completely exceeded our expectations. We support Rivers each year to do our part in making sure Rivers has the ability to attract and retain such an excellent faculty. We truly appreciate all that Rivers has taught our children in the classroom, on the field and everywhere in between."

I initially established an annual scholarship fund and supported a student each year for 10 years, but I felt like that was paying rent and I wanted to pay a mortgage toward something that would last. So I established two endowed funds. Now with a planned gift, I can keep my legacy going when I can no longer write the check! I want to increase the sense of inclusiveness and provide opportunities to explore the issue for the faculty and students, so that we mirror the real world. Funds may be utilized in a number of ways, including professional development for faculty, education opportunities for students, conferences and speakers, special student projects, and non-tuition curricular and co-curricular needs.

"The teachers, coaches, and administrators at Rivers maintain a constant commitment to challenging students and pushing them toward their full potential. Through their dedication, students are able to cultivate their latent talents and develop skills to become major contributors to our global society. My gift to the Annual Fund is my commitment to contribute to the resources that will allow every student to excel in life."

"I am proud to be both an alum and a parent of a very excited and enthusiastic student. I fondly remember my own years at Rivers and still remain in close contact with many of my former classmates and teachers. I credit Rivers for the strong foundation and work ethic instilled in me, which benefited me academically in college, law school, and professionally. Last year, I was delighted that my daughter expressed her strong interest in applying to Rivers. She was honored to be accepted, and in her first year loves the small class sizes and the supportive and nurturing teaching style which extends from the classrooms to the “quad.” The collaborative and close network among students is exactly what she was looking for in a school. The team spirit that lives within and among the athletic teams is extremely appealing—the players and coaches “gel” in a way she could only wish for in the past. The coaches instruct on the field and also act as great mentors off the field. As an alumnus, and now a parent, I continue to be grateful to Rivers. I give to the annual fund and volunteer my time as a way of showing my gratitude and supporting the students of our future."

My Rivers experience was enriched by dedicated teachers and a talented group of classmates. Years ago I established the Lider Faculty Compensation Fund in recognition of the many fine teachers whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing at Rivers. This bequest commitment that Lisa and I are making to Rivers is to strongly support faculty endowment such as the Jarzavek Chair as well as to fund student scholarships. Future generations of Rivers students will benefit from these contributions.

"We are forever grateful to the teachers and coaches at Rivers for helping our daughters discover their strengths and explore new pathways. The teachers at Rivers are the soul of the school! Their passion, commitment and caring make Rivers an extraordinary place for learning."

Because I’ve worked behind the scenes in a non-profit, I appreciate even more the importance of philanthropy and giving back. A legacy gift through a bequest is my way to help secure the future success of The Rivers School. It’s important for me to know that future generations of Rivers students will have as many, if not more, opportunities than either I or my daughters—Ally ’07 and Liza ’09—had during our years at Rivers. I love Rivers, and want to continue to give back and make a difference. My bequest intention is a concrete way to help Rivers’ financial sustainability and leave a legacy my family can be proud of.

"When our daughter, Kate, enrolled in the class of 2014 my knowledge of Rivers was pretty limited. Yes, the motto, “Excellence with Humanity,” sounded good, but it also sounded like what just about every school says about itself. But, as I saw my daughter’s education unfold at Rivers and became involved with the school’s leadership I saw how this motto really did drive the strategic decisions of school leadership as they designed programs, selected teachers, and set expectations—all as I was also seeing how it influenced day-to-day interactions at Rivers with teachers and advisors who knew my daughter well, gave meaningful feedback and encouragement, and suggested opportunities that tapped into her interests and ambitions. This kind of focus, pursued by talented, energetic leaders and teachers struck me—and continues to strike me—as outstanding for any school. That’s why Rivers became and remains a priority for me."

"Rivers is such a special place. Arts and sciences are seamlessly connected to create a strong academic foundation, and the academic experience is strengthened by the outstanding faculty who form lasting relationships with their students. My husband Dave and I are still in touch with many of our teachers and cherish our enduring connections with them. We also feel fortunate to have many close friends who have learned and laughed with us more than two decades after we first met in the quad. This strong sense of community instilled both of us with a confidence to pursue our passions and live our lives to the fullest. Each year, we give to show our thanks to a school that has given us so much and to support the next generation of Rivers' students, regardless of their financial circumstances."

"It was the early 1980s and the Walter family had recently returned from nine and one-half years overseas. At that time, our older son was eighteen months younger than his peers and it was obvious he should not enter public high school. A friend suggested we visit Rivers. That was our son’s clear choice and he enthusiastically enrolled. Attending all his older brothers games, our younger son would only consider Rivers. Back then, there was no “Excellence with Humanity” but it was clearly everywhere and our boys excelled (despite a dress code and no girls!). Seeing how happy the boys were and how well they were doing academically, I wanted to ‘give back’. I joined the Parents’ League and served as President. With the support and encouragement of the Headmaster and Parent Liaison, I founded the Parents’ Independent School Network (PIN) that, after thirty-two years, is still serving over sixty-five independent schools in the area. We established The Walter Family Community Award to recognize and thank the outstanding faculty and administrators at Rivers. I served on almost all Trustee Committees over the thirty plus years and still enjoy Life Trustee status. That is why we have joined The Nonesuch Society to ensure our gift continues to support Rivers in the years to come."

"We support the Rivers Annual Fund to express our gratitude for the incredibly dedicated, supportive and compassionate faculty who have helped to develop our daughter, and now our son. The relationships the faculty have with their students are what differentiate Rivers and they provide their students the tools and confidence to achieve success as future leaders."

"Rivers is a very special place for us. We sent two sons there many years ago and now have four grandchildren attending. Our sons both thrived at Rivers and it is exciting to see our grandchildren following in their footsteps. Back in 1983 we were new to private school life and our only expectations were that our son would get a much better education. But that was just the beginning. Besides the high caliber curriculum, the individual attention given to each student by the teachers was and still is standard practice at Rivers, helping them grow into self-assured, confident young people. College counseling was individualized for each student—Rick Rizoli knew the students and gave them help preparing applications, advice on college choices and just plain encouragement which helped our sons get into the college of their choice. Sports, music and other extra-curricular activities are also important aspects of Rivers, teaching cooperation, leadership and bonding with friends. Parents also get to participate at whatever level they choose. We were both very active on several committees, like the Parents’ League and Board of Trustees. We have always supported Rivers even before we had any thoughts that our grandchildren would become students. It is a place where we feel at home."

"We’ve been fortunate to have all three of our children attend Rivers: Sarah ’16 is a sophomore at Georgetown, Jack is a senior at Rivers and William is a freshman. Although all three of our children are different, Rivers has challenged our children to step out of their comfort zone and take advantage of all the school has to offer. Our children have found new interests they never would have discovered on their own which made the little successes even sweeter and the occasional failure a fun learning experience. It is commonplace at Rivers to see athletes discover the performing arts, artists discover leadership programs, and everyone find their own voice. Rivers’ faculty engage each student on an individual basis to gain an understanding of the student as a person with strengths, weaknesses, interests, fears and dreams."