River School House

We are beyond grateful for our family's experience at River School, where both of our children attend. One of the highlights for them has been the close proximity to the park, which has quickly become their favorite part of each day. They love spending time by the climbing tree and watching the ducks swim in the Royal River. It's heartwarming to see how much joy and fascination they find in nature right outside the school's doors.

Equally impressive is the remarkable growth we've witnessed in both of our children since they started at River School. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to nurture their development in all areas, and it's clear that they are thriving in this enriching environment. From improved social skills to newfound curiosity and confidence, the progress they've made is truly remarkable.

A big part of what makes River School so special is the intentional, caring, and nurturing staff. They go above and beyond to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where every child feels valued and supported. Their dedication to each child's well-being and educational journey is evident in every interaction.

We couldn't be happier with our decision to enroll our children at River School. It's a place where they are not only learning and growing academically but also developing a love for nature and a strong sense of community. We wholeheartedly recommend River School to any parent seeking an exceptional preschool experience for their little ones.

My daughter attended the River School for two years before kindergarten and I can’t say enough wonderful things about the school and its teachers. Beth Ashley, the director, is a gem and she is committed to providing the children with an environment where they can flourish and develop in all aspects of their lives — not just academically but also socially and emotionally. My daughter was well prepared for kindergarten but it was the emphasis on play and friendship and the arts and nature by her lovely and dedicated teachers that made the River School a place that we will always hold in our hearts.

The staff at the River School House have love, dedication and patience for the wonderful children who attend. The teachers have such a thoughtfulness with which the activities are chosen and introduced to foster creativity and engagement. I noticed my child's love for the outdoors and imaginative play blossom from the moment she started at River. I am grateful for all the River School does for our children and our community. Highly recommend!

Enrolling our children at The River School has been one of the best decisions we have made since moving to Maine. The exciting, positive, and warm environment has helped our children grow from somewhat shy toddlers into "Big Kids" with the confidence, foundational social skills, and growth mindset needed to successfully transition to kindergarten and beyond. We've loved how Beth and the team at River School prioritize outdoor play and nurture our kids' curiosity and creativity in a safe environment in which they are exposed to a diverse range of cultures, traditions, and art. The quality of and positive impact this center of learning has had on our children can not be overstated and we are very grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such a special community. Thank you for all you do for our family!

Our two children attended River school for years - we love the amount of time they had playing outside and exploring the park!! Teachers are kind and caring and Beth (the director/owner)is a lovely human who cares deeply and provides a beautiful, peaceful environment. She also builds a sweet community - the Lantern Walks and picnics in the park where family favorites!!

The teachers are kind and thoughtful about how to offer support individually tailored to each student’s needs. We love that River School prioritizes time outside, offers opportunities to engage in art and projects we don’t typically do at home, and provides a warm environment that supports the children’s development of friendships with one another.

River School has been the most magical experience for our daughter for the past 3 years from intro to pre-school to now pre-k. She has had loving teachers who have been patient, supportive, nurturing, creative and have fully embraced her for who she is. We love the nature and art focus the school has, the high quality toys and works, having music from 317 Music School weekly, time spent outside in all weather, and the expertise of the staff. Our daughter went from being a very shy 2.5 year old to a bold, creative, kind, inclusive pre-k kiddo under the care and guidance of the River team. We also have really loved the traditions the school has that make it feel like a community and bring magic. There’s a Mary Oliver quote, “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” that I think really speaks to the spirit of River- appreciate and notice the beauty, joy and magic of the everyday (people and nature and community) and explore expressing that through art, exploration, experimentation, play, and conversation. River School has been one of the best decisions we’ve made as parents.

River School has been in our lives for 3 years, the kind and compassionate care of its teachers, the focus on growing my children’s independence and community building are just a few of the reasons I would recommend River School!

We’ve had our 4 year old at River School for 2 years. The team there is a caring group of professionals who create friendships and lasting relationships between the kids - all while encouraging development of the skills which will grow into good learning habits. The few times I’ve been behind my time in pickup have been met with kindness and understanding. I’m glad we sent our child there. We will miss them when we move over to the kindergarten!

This school is a unfortunate place that can not handle children. They want your child to be perfect and easy. The do not have the proper support, they don’t communicate to parents about teacher schedules, they don’t introduce themselves to parents if it’s a new person in the classroom, they don’t have the means to help children succeed. Please consider something different if your child is not perfect angel.