From its beginning, Riverview developed a forward-looking, effective program and did so before the field of learning disabilities was defined. The evolution of the School has reflected the growing understanding of people with learning differences among educators, medical and social service professionals, governmental agencies and society in general. Riverview is proud to hold the first license issued by the Massachusetts Office for Children to operate a special needs boarding school. Prior to the definition of the term "learning disability" in 1963, students were often misdiagnosed, misplaced and ineffectively served by school systems and related institutions.
Within five years of its founding, the School grew to over 130 students. Make-shift classrooms, dormitories and offices were constructed. The sole structure on the property, an 1850 farmhouse, was retained and became home for a variety of uses over the years, including dormitory, infirmary, offices and kitchen/dining hall. This historic building, called Holtmeier House, now houses offices and classrooms.
During the late 1960s, Riverview established a long-term relationship with the Learning Clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Groundbreaking work in language and reading disabilities was developed and field-tested on Riverview's campus. Throughout the decade, the School experienced important development of its physical plant and program. A library, gymnasium, classrooms and dormitories were constructed from 1961 through 1967.
The decade of the 1970s saw further changes in the campus and the social/governmental environment in which the School functioned. Landmark legislation related to special education was enacted at the state and federal levels. Programs like Riverview came under the authority of a number of agencies to ensure that academic services and housing conditions were adequate.
In the later years of the decade, the founders, Mr. Janse and his partner, Mr. Burgess Butler, effected the first transition in leadership of the School as they began their gradual retirement from active administration. They appointed a long-time Riverview employee, Dr. Joanne Brooks, as Executive Director in 1978.
The period from 1978 to 1990 saw Riverview facing significant challenges as other independent and public schools began to design programs for the lower functioning learning disabled student. The School responded positively to these changes by improving communication about its services and seeking students from throughout the United States and internationally. In addition, new dormitories and a classroom facility were built in 1987. With these enhancements in place, the School was in a position to offer higher quality programs to meet growing needs for services.
In 1990, Mr. Richard D. Lavoie was appointed as Executive Director to succeed Dr. Brooks upon her retirement. Under Mr. Lavoie's leadership, Riverview experienced strong growth. The School instituted a plan to improve and expand services to students, their families and the wider community. Riverview also implemented a strategy to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the program through vertical diversification (accepting students younger and older than traditional high school ages). Increased emphasis was placed on social skill development. In 1997, the School received a ten-year reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Program enhancements of the 1990s included the initiation of a post-secondary program, GROW (Getting Ready for the Outside World). GROW opened three residences for its students and formed an affiliation with Cape Cod Community College (Project Forward) in order to offer a vocationally-based college experience to students. The campus dining hall, classroom complex and new high school classroom facilities were constructed. A state-of-the-art Wellness/Fitness Center was opened. Other campus improvements included a new dormitory and sports field.
In 2001, Ms. Maureen Brenner became Head of School to replace Mr. Lavoie as he departed to spend more time on writing and speaking. Ms. Brenner came to Riverview with over twenty-five years in education as a high school teacher, educational psychologist, director of student services, and assistant superintendent. She was also co-founder of the Center for Educational Performance, an organization that focused on special education, curriculum development and the mentoring of administrators.
Major initiatives in the past decade have included a redesign of the curriculum and assessment procedures at all levels, introduction of research-based instructional strategies, and implementation of detailed transition planning. Music, art and drama have also been expanded greatly, and these programs will find new homes in the 20,000 square foot James Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2010. Other facility enhancements have included the acquisition of two additional GROW residences in the local area, construction of an apartment-style complex and new classroom building for GROW, and construction of an on-campus dormitory.
Today, Riverview School approaches the future with confidence and optimism; proud of its long tradition of leadership in the education of people with language, learning and cognitive disabilities.
