History

From its humble beginnings in Bon Air, Virginia, in 1974, Riverside School has had one focus: to help children with learning disabilities. Riverside School was conceived in Pat DeOrio’s basement where she tutored children from all over Richmond who were “falling through the cracks” academically. The parents of one of her students owned some property and asked if she would be interested in starting a school for children with learning difficulties.  Mrs. DeOrio quickly brought together the first Board of Directors who purchased the property which  included the original two-room Bon Air School.

In 1978, Ruth Harris joined the Riverside School faculty, bringing with her the Orton-Gillingham Approach and establishing the school’s Language Fundamental Skill Instruction program.  This one-on-one instruction has become a hallmark of the Riverside experience.

Thanks to the success of the school’s first capital campaign in 1989, the school grew to accommodate 5 classrooms, fourteen tutoring rooms, a kitchen, commons area, central office and other staff offices.

On the eve of the school’s 30th anniversary in 2004, Riverside launched a campaign to fund transforming improvements to the campus. The campaign was completed in 2007, supassing its goal and raising more than $2 million to provide for significant expansion and facilities upgrades, an expanded Teacher Training Program and funding for student scholarships.

Today, Riverside’s campus includes a gymnatorium, seven classrooms, 17 tutoring rooms, and an Expressive Arts studio. Now serving as Founding Director, Patricia W.  DeOrio continues to shape an environment of unsurpassed excellence with the Head of School, Julie D. Wingfield.