“Where Academic Excellence is the Rule!”

  

We are proud to announce that for the 3rd year in a row, we're an "A" school. This year we will be celebrating our 11th year. In addition, we also met the more stringent requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, commonly known as Annual Yearly Progress.
Riverdale Elementary School is located on the east side of Orange County one-half mile from the University of Central Florida and directly behind University High School. Riverdale Elementary opened in August 1998 and provided relief for Arbor Ridge, Bonneville, and Union Park Elementary Schools. Riverdale is unique in that it contains a closed circuit television and multi-media production studio using digital equipment, 153 student computer stations, computers for every staff member, all with internet access, our own Web Page, and new software to enhance language arts and math instruction along with monitoring student assessment data. Riverdale Elementary also has a strong commitment to both the visual and performing arts. Our students participate in a wide variety of artistic programs at both the school and district level.
As of June 9th, 2008 the school’s enrollment is approximately 652 students. It serves the area between Dean Road and Alafaya Trail and from Colonial Drive to University Boulevard. Even though our boundaries are compact, many of our students are bus riders, due to the location of the school and the lack of sidewalks on Rouse Road.
Our student body reflects the diversity within our community. Current demographics indicate that 41% of our children are Hispanic, 37% Caucasian, 12% African-American, 6% Asian, and 4% other. There are approximately twenty-two languages spoken by students at Riverdale. Approximately 60% of the students receive free or reduced lunches. This creates a student population of great diversity socio-economically, culturally and academically. We serve about 144 (22%) exceptional education students in varying exceptionalities, specific learning disabilities and speech classes in Kindergarten through 5th grade. We have roughly 140 (22%) students in our ESOL program.
The staff is composed of 75 members. This includes 41 instructional staff, 2 administrators and 32 support staff members including classroom paraprofessionals, clerical, custodial, and cafeteria personnel. We are excited to be able to hire the finest staff members, all of whom are committed to our philosophy, “Riverdale Royals, Where Academic Excellence is the Rule.”
We are actively involved with the parents and the community of east Orange County. We have tremendous participation in our ADDitions and Partners in Education programs. PTA holds or helps sponsor over 15 student/family activities each year. The SAC meets regularly to ensure that our School Improvement Plan meets the needs of our students. We are also active in the East Learning Community and University High Consortium, thus improving articulation between elementary, middle and high schools.