As I began writing a few weeks ago, I would like to continue to discuss Academic Excellence, which is one of our school's Five Pillars. 

 I recently read excerpts from mathematics professor Andrew McIntyre's opening speech at Bennington College. When thinking of how we provide education it is very much in keeping with his comment that, "Facts are important, but they are easy; ...we concentrate on the difficult parts."

At Riverstone, we take great pride in our focus on "the difficult parts" of learning. We ensure that our students get the "facts," but we take learning further by asking our students to apply their knowledge in challenging ways. That's the difficult part.

Throughout a student's time here at Riverstone, we complement our International Baccalaureate assessments by benchmarking our students on a national and international basis. We do this to ensure that our students have the skills that they need to succeed, not only here at Riverstone but in a globally competitive workplace. 

On a national basis:

• SAT scores for Riverstone students far exceed Idaho and national averages, and are almost 200 points above any recent averages we've seen in the valley, including public, private, and parochial schools.

• PSAT scores for Riverstone students exceed Idaho and national averages.

• Students in Gr 3-7 have scored above the national norms for the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests in mathematics that are administered three times each year.

• Riverstone scored well above average on the International Student Assessment tests administered in grades 3-7-9 in relation to other international schools. These tests evaluate reading, mathematical literacy, and writing. Our Grade 10 students scored well above international students in scientific literacy as well. Over 33,000 students from 129 countries participated in the 2013-14 testing. Many of the finest schools around the globe use this test. See a listing of participating schools here.

• Riverstone students over the past nine years have a nearly 70% IB Diploma Programme pass rate. It is important to note that unlike many other schools, Riverstone has no barrier to entry into this program; all of our students, including international students, enter our Diploma Programme in Grade 11.

As one of our founders Sam Hazard predicted at one of the first ever parent meetings, "we will make all the education in the Treasure Valley better." Since our beginning in 1997, we have continually raised the bar on education in Idaho. We have 17 years of experience in balancing the "facts" and the "difficult parts" and are the leaders in engaging students in the way that schools are eager to embrace but struggling to adopt. We believe that there is always more to learn.

I look forward to writing about another pillar, Community and Service, in next week's newsletter.

Call for anything,

Bob Carignan

Head of School

bcarignan@riverstoneschool.org

The Parents' Association would like to create a photo directory to compliment the school's student directory and help everyone get to know one another. In addition to names and contact information, there would be a photo of each family. 

• A family photo (1MB digital file) that is clear
• If your child lives in two households, please feel free to send two photos
• Number of printed copies of the photo directory that you would like to order

• In the Elementary School, please call Lisa Armstrong at (208) 424-5000 ext 0 

• In the Middle & High School, please call Robyn Olnes at (208) 424-5000 ext 1

• Parents in Middle and High School may also send a message through Managebac. Click on the Attendance tab and look for the button on the top right, "Submit Attendance Excusal."