The River School (Top Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026-27)

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

Top Ranked DC School
School Type: Alternative School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-5
Enrollment: 185 students
Yearly Tuition: $33,196
Acceptance rate: 70%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 9 / rolling
Source: 鉁�Verified school update

School Rankings

The River School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in District Of Columbia for:

School Facts

School Type

Alternative School

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-5

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	The River School
Nursery	56
Pre-K	34
Kind	14
1	21
2	21
3	23
4	12
5	4

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ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1999

School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

185 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

37%

State avg.: 49%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers

43 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

82%

Average Class Size

12 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Other special emphasis association(s)
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS-MDDC)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline

Jan. 9 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$33,196

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Tuition ranges from $14,995 (preschool, 2 mornings) to $46,865 (Grades 4-5)

% on Financial Aid

30%

Acceptance Rate

70%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Megan Campbell

Admissions Associate

Katie Brebbie

Application URL

Endowment Size

$4.1 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

3 sports

Sports

BasketballSoccer

Track and Field

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

8 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Arts and Music Programs:

ChessCooking

Destination Imagination (STEAM)Lego Robotics

River ArtSpanish with Language Stars

TextilesTinkering

School Notes

Since 2000, The River School has been dedicated to nurturing children 18 months through Grade 5 (currently) with its premier, personalized education.
The school`s one-of-a-kind inclusion model pairs a master`s level educator and a speech-language pathologist in each classroom, and focuses on language, literacy and personal and social development.
Classroom practice emphasizes experiential and collaborative learning, using thematic curriculum to seamlessly integrate Literacy, Math, Social Studies, Science, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, PE, Library Sciences, and Creative Movement.
Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1

The River School is dedicated to serving children 18 months through Grade 5 with its premier, personalized education. What sets us apart?

Innovative co-teaching model includes a full-time speech-language pathologist and master's level educator in every class
Graduate student training program that enhances classroom practice and children's experience
Small class sizes
Child-centered classrooms with a focus on social-emotional development
Multi-curricular, standards-based, research-backed teaching approach
Proprietary language arts programs
Experiential and collaborative learning through the use of themes that promotes language, vocabulary and academic skills across the curriculum
Play-based, focused on developmentally appropriate practice in Preschool
Project-based, immersive, inquiry-driven learning experiences in Elementary and Upper Elementary
Diverse and inclusive classrooms help develop enriched perspectives and a greater understanding of the world
Committed community of learners, with professional development for faculty, graduate student training, parent-education programs and family engagement, adds richness and depth to our program

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The River School cost?

The River School's tuition is approximately $33,196 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of The River School?

The acceptance rate of The River School is 70%, which is higher than the national average of 50%.

What sports does The River School offer?

The River School offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Soccer and Track and Field.

What is The River School's ranking?

The River School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in District Of Columbia for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.

When is the application deadline for The River School?

The application deadline for The River School is Jan. 9 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 9 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is The River School located?

The River School is located in the Northwest Washington neighborhood of Washington, DC. There are 55 other private schools located in Northwest Washington.

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Washington, DC is $29,456 for elementary schools and $36,096 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Washington, DC is 50% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).