I was at the school for a while, and while I was here everybody was very helpful. The TAC officers are amazing, and the academics are outstanding because you have a lot of options and teachers who care. I was kicked out for my own problems, but even then the school helped me and sent me to another great military school in Alabama Southern Prep Academy. I am now doing well here and am currently in my third year. Will have a lot of respect for this school for the rest of my life. Thank you for reading, and this school could change your sons life just like mine. There are a lot of kids who post terrible things about the school, but what I am telling you is the truth about the school. They care

As a veteran educator of 20 years, I can only say positive things about Riverside. Having spent the majority of my service in public schools where the quality of education is low and progress is mired by administrative incompetence, this private school is clearly moving forward in positive ways.As will always be true, there are some students who, intent on rebelling against authority or getting back at their parents, can diminish the experience of other students with incidents of bullying and such, because those things can never be completely eradicated (and can be just as bad in public schools BTW). The fact that the boys cannot be supervised every moment of every day is not something that should be held against the school since such a thing is not even possible in maximum security prisons.The school does exactly what it claims: it gives opportunities to boys to become men. It does so through a military model with no apologies and I believe that the academics is steadily improving under the current administration who are intent on making Riverside Military Academy a genuine college preparatory institution. Im proud to be a part of the faculty here and love these boys as much as any of my students over my years of teaching. I also know many of my colleagues feel the same.Parents should not ever be disillusioned by the notion that ANY school can fix their son. I believe some parents drop their sons of here hoping for that very thing. Some, in fact many, boys do choose to take advantage of the opportunities to mature and learn how to accept responsibility, but there are also those who are eventually dismissed from the Academy having rejected the concept of growing up and often do so in very spiteful ways given the love and concern their parents and the Riverside faculty and staff have for them.

Only one cadet died while I was here, which is a very good ratio especially because that cadet was not myself. I liked the campus but doing running till somebody threw up was not my favorite. Big props to the guy who would eat tobacco during the run in order to intentionally vomit so we could stop running. 8/10

I came to RMA in the fall of 2017 and graduated with my brothers in the class of 2019. I was given OPPORTUNITIES to make something of myself that NO other public or private school could provide. I was in numerous clubs and held multiple leadership positions. At such a young age, I was able to make a positive contribution to my community and my peers.My advice to new or curious parents or even future Cadets... just give it a chance. Take the opinion of those who benefited from it, not those who wouldn’t give it a chance and disliked the rules.

My cousin went here for summer school in 1980 due to failing grades in school. He spoke of constant bullying by older cadets, destruction of private property and being ostracized. He did say that most of the faculty were nice and helpful.

I am a 2018 graduate of RMA. During my time I was constantly mentored by some of the most accomplished and selfless individuals I have ever known. TAC officers: Captain Creager, Captain Watkins, and Captain Bremer; as well as teachers and coaches: Alan Tallman, Jarod Koldoff, Joe Zoller, SSG Klemm and many others who gave me endless opportunities to challenge myself as a leader, student and athlete. Since my graduation I have gone on to a successful career in the US Army as well as continuing my education at one of the top Engineering schools in the country Oregon State University. I can honestly say that RMA is one of the many life experiences where you get what you put into it no matter you’re religion, race, social status, etc. It’s about the mindset and pride you associate with each experience, failure and accomplishment- not the inevitable hardships you will endure in the journey.

I left here after two years. It was hard at first but the brotherhood was great. Great respect for some of the TAC officers there.

Great school!

I am a 1979 graduate of Riverside and can say without reservation that my success in life is owed to the skills I developed as a young Cadet. After Riverside, I graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and retired from the U.S. Army. I am now a senior manager in a small Defense Contracting company. As a Cadet at Riverside, I developed invaluable leadership and backward planning skills that got me through VMI and my Army career. Riverside turned me from a boy to a man, taught me honor; taught me to be a gentleman. Huge added bonus are organizational and cleanliness habits I developed...my bed is made every single day.

The covid 19 responce made this place even more of a prison

My son has been a student here for the past 2 1/2 years. Parents and student have to buy into the program for it to work best. Small class sizes, real discipline, leadership, and teacher & admin involvement. Such a huge difference between this and public schools. In reality it costs almost the same to educate a student in a public school as it does at RMA.

The school doesnt know of whats going on during this pandemic we should be home not on campus were we are vulnerable to the virus in Gainesville which is now a hotspot of covid cases

Riverside Military Academy is hands down the best college preparatory school in the nation. I was a former cadet for 3 1/2 years, and my time at Riverside was the best 3 1/2 years of my entire life. The amount of care, dedication, and commitment that goes into each and every single one of the cadets is absolutely outstanding, which isnt surprising because the staff and faculty that oversee and advise the cadets, are second to none in every aspect of any spectrum you can grade them on. I say this with the upmost confidence, and honesty, Riverside Military Academy is the BEST investment parents can make for their children, and the best experience a boy can get. Forget about Gillette, RIVERSIDE is the best a true man can get. If you found this review helpful, and you are thinking about the possibility of Riverside as a future school, dont take my word for it, take the hundreds of alumni that would agree with every word I just said. Riverside is an experience that boys enjoy, and men appreciate.

Riverside has been such a blessing. They do an incredible job developing young men not only academically, but also in leadership, athletics and extracurricular activities. The teachers, coaching staff and administrators truly take an interest in each boy. The development my son has shown over the past year is tremendous- incredible focus and motivation. Truly thankful for the entire Riverside community!

Had a great time and proud to be an alumni. Its a military school. So for those that are upset about being addressed by last names, and doing push ups, or the schedule, may be choose another school. Worth every penny my parents spent to send me there many moons ago, and the friendships Ive had for the last 20 years are the strongest Ive ever had..

I am an Alumni myself. I Attended Riverside for 5 years, arrived at a very early age, and was able to move up through the structure graduating as a Cadet Officer. Understanding the structure and what it took to move up is applicable in most corporations, private sector and public sector.Riverside not only teaches you how to move up the ladder in life but also, discipline, organization, determination, honesty and work ethic. Most public and private high schools do not have these traits.The schools infrastructure has changed a lot since my days at Riverside, but it has never lost its vision. The campus is very nice and comfortable, and the athletic programs to keep kids busy are excellent.I wouldn’t change not attending Riverside Military Academy for nothing else.

I spent 5 years at Riverside and graduated in 2005. The faculty here taught me more than information. They helped me develop a personal paradigm around leadership, discipline, service and independent thought. It was a foundation that carried the weight of war, entrepreneurship and starting a family. One that I trust enough to build on still. Mens sana in corpore sano; a sound mind in a sound body

Im so proud to say that my son Bradley Thompson goes to Riverside Military Academy. By doing so its making him a better person each day and this alone will carry him through life majorly. The school may be restrict but its better to do it at this age than wait until they are grown and go into this world and try to make it as the world is today. As a parent by sending our son to Riverside Military Academy has made him to a respectable young man. We are so proud of you and always will be!!!!

Make no mistake, this is NOT a reform school. This school is a privilege! Riverside is developing boys to realize their full potential in life. My sons goal is to attend West Point which is why he chose this school on his own accord. At 13, I wasnt sure that him leaving home was something I could handle. We visited on parents weekend in the spring, mainly because I wanted to see what kind of parents send their boy to military boarding school. I was very impressed at the caliber of families I saw, and the fine young men who are their sons. Noah loves his teachers, and all the activities that keep him engaged throughout the day. There are many boarding schools in New England, where we live, but not one offers the balance of education, discipline, academics and service that Riverside does. Knowing that he is safe and well cared for, while developing the life skills that will help him his succeed, makes me so incredibly grateful that we found Riverside.

I am a graduate of Riverside, class of 08. It was my choice to leave my home in South Dakota and go to Riverside. I was not forced to go.Yet, it was no easy ride by any means. It did give me a life perspective that I continue to use in my favor to this day. Just take a look at the mission of Riverside and then reference its college acceptance (and scholarship) rates. The results speak for themselves.

I have a question more than a review...How safe is this school for not just minorites but African American students I have been reading the reviews and one that was really recent disturbed me. I also noticed that no one of African American decent had left a comment or review... My Nephew says he wants to attend this school I just dont want him to end up in a school where he has to be disrespected by students and staff because of his color and his financial situation.

I loved every moment I attended riverside. I will admit there were tough times and it was a hard adjustment to make, but the values it taught me shaped me to be the successful person that I am now. It taught me to push through adversity and face it head on. It taught me the values in attention to detail, as well as to never feel entitled to certain treatment but that I had to apply myself to gain success. It taught me to respect authority and gave me goals to have ambition to drive towards. I showed me what effects good and poor leadership can have on subordinates and gave me a bar to shoot for. It prepared me for the challenges of everyday life far more effectively than any public school did. The diversity in ethnicity of the students that attended Riverside taught me tolerance for all people but to also stand for what I feel is right. All in all Riverside instilled in me morals that carved the way for my success in life and I couldn’t be more greatful for the time that I spent there.

Top notch boarding/prep school focused on character development, academics and athletics to turn out well rounded youth prepared for the next steps in life.

As a graduate of the Class of 1975 I will confirm that any success I have today is a direct result of my Riverside experience. My friendships have been lifelong and my relationships with many of the professors I had then still exist today. These gentlemen were my mentors then as well as now. It is funny, I do not remember the names of any professors in college yet I remember pretty much all professors at Riverside. I can also tell you what they taught me. Not just the course but life lessons that help me in my dealings today. Todays Cadet Corps gets not only what we had in 1975 but the benefit of a network of fifty plus years of alumni to back them up. Riverside still develops tomorrows leaders, today.

This school is the most pathetic excuse for an academy that is supposed to help kids. All these reviews about changing my sons life for the good well of course it did! The bullying and the punishments are so bad they make your kids terrified. My best friend was sent here and after two days he was already contemplating suicide and became even more depressed than he was before. I understand that this is a school that is supposed to have strict policies and change your kids attitudes, but there is a difference between helping kids and punishing them to the point of suicide. They downgrade your kids when they first arrive. They arent allowed to be referred to as their last name. The disrespect from both students and staff here is even worse than at ordinary schools. They SAY that drugs will not be found in their facilities yet they are used everyday by the students. By the way if your child becomes suicidal dont expect for the staff to help them feel better. My friend told the captain there that he was suicidal and what did the captain do? He threatened to make it worse for him. This school obviously does not understand how fragile minds are when it comes to depression and suicide. If you want to push your kid to the point of suicide then send them here. Parents do not see what happens behind the walls of this academy. This school is worse than a prison. Its a hell that will put you at the risk of losing your child. Want to save your kid? DO NOT send them here

Amazing is all I can say about the transformation my kid has had in just one year. From almost getting expelled for fighting at his previous school (for defending himself from bullies) to be the one breaking up fights and a 4.5 GPA.Everyone that saw him during summer vacation from friends, neighbors and family to strangers in the street were amazed at how well behaved, well mannered, confident and educate our kid is. We always knew he had it in him, We Just didn’t know how to bring it out. This school knew how and did it.We like to think of Riverside as a Mini West Point forming “ethical young men of character for success in college and in life” by teaching them tradition, elegance, good manners, leadership, self-confidence and excellence.The best analogy I can think of for this transformation is, we drop off Lex Luthor and a year later, we got Clark Kent back.I can’t wait until Superman comes out!!!

Literally the worst school its a public with the rampant drugs going around and people doing them and everything, but it cost $40,000+ to into a school has either very little or none at all interest in your needs. The facility there are nice... depending on the ones you get. Constant bullying by other people there. Also, depending on the rank you have the more power(which is given in a military school), but most of the higher ranked cadets there dont care or physically and mentally abuse others. I have heard stories of people jumping out Windows and becoming well... a vegetable, and people getting pushed down stairs in the chests they get when they join, and the utter disrespect we get from the adults we will get half the time. When your child joins they dont have a first a names its always ROC [last name]. The teachers though they do care for you and your grades and will always try the best they can, but with being said dont just your child here for grades. By what I have heard from others this school should have been shut down many many years before this. This is NOT the best school everyone is always talking about. For the love of God DO NOT SEND YOU CHILD HERE he will not be the same boy he left as either for the best or the worst. Your much better off keeping or putting them in a public school where they could atleast make valuable friends and meet better people instead of the rich snobs at this school.

My son attended the summer program S.O.A.R in July 2015 and in just 4 weeks we saw a different more confident boy. He is 13 and it was hard for him at first not being with his parents but he adjusted and the staff was always there if we needed to ask any questions. They kept us informed weekly. I highly recommend RMA!!!!

I attended Riverside Military Academy my junior and senior year, graduating in the Class of 1989. As a student in the public school system, I probably would not of graduated high school. After overcoming the fear of being away from home the first couple of weeks, the structured environment in which I was placed in allowed me to excel academically. RMA also taught me how to become a leader and function as a team to accomplish goal. As a member of the Color Guard/Drill Team, Order of the Saber, Rifle Team and other athletic programs, I could not have asked for a more fulfilling experience as a teenager.

Went there for my 9th grade year in 1988 and I hated it for about 3 months. By the time I graduated I didnt want to leave. Riverside made me a man and a responsible , proud man I am today. Oh I thought we were the Blue Devils....?

Great place to attend school and learn the character traits to become a man of distinction, courage, and integrity. Would recommend to any young man looking for a leg-up to a brighter future.

As a member of the staff, and one of the people who cares about these boys as much as anyone, I know personally how much effort and hard work goes into providing for our Cadets. There are more clubs, sports, activities, supervision, support, and opportunities available to these young men than I have ever seen, and certainly WAY more than I ever had. Mentors are around every bend and we all care about the boys.That being said, not every teenager appreciates and understands what they are given. They only see what they are missing out on. I appreciate that we provide a more focused and tougher educational experience for them because the world they will inherit requires resilience and strength of character. If a cadet steps up to the academic and social challenges, inherent in a highly diverse military, boarding school environment, he is certainly going to be prepared for the rigor of the real world that awaits him.I believe in what Riverside does. I see it with my own eyes daily.

Its a terrible school but hey it makes a great prison. boys on the inside try to get out. the staff dont care about any of yall. they just want their little checks and thought of power they have over you. Parents dont send your kids here

I sent my son to Riverside Military Academy, because he lacked self discipline. After he began at the academy I came to find out that he started doing drugs on campus. It turns out that many of the children there bring drugs on campus. My son also began doing tobacco after starting at the academy. He claims his friends and cadet leaders all would secretly smoke ecigs, cigarettes, and dip. My son also had several things stolen from him while attending the academy. Overall I would not recommend for anyone to send there child to this school. I truly believe it made my son a worse person. If I could get back all the money I put towards that academy, then I would. My son has also told me that there were several Sexual misconduct issues that occurred while he was there. Apparently one of his friends got sexually abused by an older cadet, while attending the academy. Dont send your kids to this school.

Im an alumni, spent 6 years there as a child. It has provided many skill that I use daily now. Coming back regularly as a alumni, the school has changed tremendous since i was there.

I graduated from RMA in 1980. Riverside provides a world class college preparatory education for boys, in middle and High School. In addition students are taught solid discipline, respect, and life skills, that will help throughout their lives.

Third Year Review 2021/22Well this is our son’s Senior year. COVID is still moving along but RMA has everything under control. Listen, I will never be able to thank the RMA staff enough- our son turned around his life, he has a senior rank, and he is squared away for college. It has been a financial investment for a working class family but well worth every penny. If your son is a good young man but he is struggling with the public school system- if he follows the program at RMA, he will be setup for success. This school is not a reform school- it has high standards of conduct and expectations from the young men. Our son is excited to finish his senior year but is sad he will not be staying as well. These young men become close. They help each other out and encourage their brothers to become better.Second Year update 2020RMA is a fantastic school. It has done an amazing job during the COVID-19 situation in our country. They had to head home for online learning in the spring. After a week off, the cadets were back at it. The classes were organized and the technology stable for at home learning.Heading into the 2020/2021 year, the Administration did a fantastic job keeping the parents up to date on what was happening and the start of the year went without a hitch. They did a 6/6 program where the lads went to school for six days for six weeks. It was perfect to get them back into the groove whilst keeping the school contained during the outbreak. My son absolutely loves RMA and his grades have gone from Cs to As (minus Spanish - he is a B in that!) - Anyway, I would highly recommend this school to any family that wants their young man to grow into a leader. It is not a reform school, it is a school for young men to become our future leaders.2019Our son is attending RMA and it is an amazing school- perfect no- nothing is perfect but the leadership team is working hard everyday to improve the school. The TAC team is fantastic and really looks out for the young men. As a parent the Teachers, TAC Office, and Administration are available anytime to ask questions and address concerns. This is our second Military school for our son so we have something to compare too.The new President is amazing and making steady changes.I have read some of the other reviews and I cannot say why the young men did not have a great experience. What I can tell you is that the school academics are getting stronger and the military tradition is honored.A great mix of students from around North America and the world. Excellent for our son to get a world view.We would highly recommend RMA for your son if you are looking for an excellent military experience for your son.

Graduated here from 2014. Great school, no one likes discipline but it is a must. It seems like a majority of the negative reviews are from newly arrived kids who arent there by choice. I was sent there (not by my own choice) but ended up loving it,. I wish I went a year earlier.

This place sucks lol

I attended Riverside Military Academy for 5 years. First year was rough (first time living away from home), but next four years were great. I learned so many different things attending Riverside that I would have never learned or experienced in the public school system. I consider myself to be fortunate to have attended Riverside and believe it has helped to be the person that I am today.

A wonderful place to work and live. I have been employed here at Riverside Military Academy for almost a year now, and I have lived here in the Employee housing apartments for 6 months. I cannot express how much faith I have regained in humanity when seeing this academy in action on a day to day basis. I often worry about the future generations ability to function without a screen in front of their faces, or mommy and daddy holding their hand through every task of their lives, but that is not a problem for a Riverside graduate. Our graduates are let loose in the real world with real world knowledge and experiences. They have to earn any and everything they receive, and are taught just how to push themselves when they are lacking motivation. Not every teenage boy is eager to have structure, discipline, and accountability drilled into his head everyday, but regardless if they like it or not, they get the benefits that will last them a lifetime. In addition to all of the wonderful character development our students receive. they also get a top notch education, a group positive male role models, and they become a part of an elite brotherhood of alumni, who remain connected for years and years after graduation.I would recommend anyone with a young man in 6th grade or higher to inquire with Riverside Military Academy, and see how your child can benefit as well.

Boys will be boys. But this amazing institute will transfer them into young men of character, integrity and grit. The all-boy military academy model has proven to work for more than a century and it will continue to work in the future, despite the external setting. As an alum, my experience at RMA has definitely helped shape my success thus far. The life there was not by any mean easy but it is the hardship that make the system fair. Every cadet had to earn their positions, titles and accomplishments with their own determination and willingness. The staff and faculty recognize those who try and challenge themselves and help them to be even better than they think they can be.

This place absolutely sucks. People smoke, chew dip, masturbate, curse, and are way too rowdy for even most adults to control. And if youre new, expect bullying and people giving you false information to get you in trouble. Not to mention that so many of the cadets here are disgusting and cant even flush a toilet after themselves. It got to a point where a kid jumped out a window. Coming here is not a privilege and not at all what I expected. Its a waste of money for a way better private school. If you want your child to actually succeed and avoid bad habits in school, dont send him here. The ONLY positive thing about Riverside is that the teachers are supportive and help you with whatever you need, as are the faculty. And as for those that say Fighting and drugs are part of every high school experience, yes this is true, but the difference is that in normal high schools, you at least have the choice to make the decision with what crowd you hang out with. Here, its just all around you and very few cadets that actually want to be there to help you out. Everyone else except for those that are of high rank that care about those who they lead, are just fake leaders with power highs who honestly just want to have control over a situation for once in their lives. Those who say that they had or have positive experiences are most likely those who were high rank and didnt take crap from anyone for the majority of their time there or faculty who definitely dont tolerate crap from any students. And for posting this bad review, everyone just jumps me saying stuff like what gives you the right to slander the school name? or you think youre so brave giving the school accusations like this. Im not trying to get attention or slander the school name as they said, im just saying the truth. Instead of jumping on people who post bad reviews, why doesnt the school just FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY HAVE and make a better environment instead of punishing those who speak up and say it from the position of anyone of lower rank. Seriously.

I am Eric Cochran, a five year alumnus, class of 2009. I am also one of the youngest members of the Alumni Council.Going to Riverside will always be one of the most defining chapters of my life. When I experienced an adolescent relocation leaving the Atlanta area at 13 years old, I hated the public school system where we were at. I decided I wanted out, and if military school was my only option, that’s what I ultimately wanted. My Riverside experience will always make me proud that I did.As an Atlanta native, it is probably fair to say that Riverside will never be able to compete with the area’s top ranked private schools such as Westminster, Marist, Pace, or Wesleyan, just to name a few. But is that a fair assessment when Riverside doesn’t have the admissions standards these schools do getting to cherry pick from a large pool of applicants? No it’s not.In my five years there, I saw many cadets come and go after 1-2 years. I would venture to say I was in the minority of those who truly wanted to be there. Many cadets are forced to go there, and don’t want to be there. Many of them hope to return to the school they were previously at as soon as their parents will allow them. I think many of them do not appreciate the experience for what’s it’s worth, or won’t until a much later date.Riverside is ultimately what you make of it, and I made the most of it. It will give you the tools and people to be successful in college and life. It’s up to you to continue the values that were instilled on you while you were there. I am proud to say in the past few years I’ve brought two of our nation’s living Medal of Honor recipients to campus…Cpl. Woody Williams from WWII, and CSM Bob Patterson from Vietnam. I am proud to be an alumnus.

This world has forgotten about boys which is why we have so many of the problems in society that we do. Most boys need direction and structure to succeed in this world...something traditional educators have abandoned....and Riverside provides that. Our son is in his 3rd year at Riverside. His grades have greatly improved and the experience he is getting is invaluable. He has learned to take responsibility for his actions and his place in the world and I dont know one parent who doesnt want that for their child.The faculty is EXCELLENT, all with advanced degrees, and all with an understanding of how boys learn and excel. We sacrifice a great deal financially to send him there, but its the best decision weve ever made. Riverside cadets dont take the easy way. Building leaders for the future is hard work, both for the students and the faculty, but it is a mission critical to the success of our young men. What better mission than to raise confident, well-equipped leaders for the future. If you see the leader in your son even when he doesnt see it in himself, then you would do well to check out RMA.

Riverside is an excellent place, I have had many friends attend. The grounds and the academy itself are beautiful.

Experiences which will live with me forever. The essential life lessons..... earning friendships, making the right choices, responsibilities and honor.

I graduated from RMA in 2001 and was lucky enough to see the transformation from old to new. Riverside is no joke. You will be challenged to reach higher and achieve more than most people and that comes with a lot of mental and physical fortitude. When I attended college I felt I had gone back a year and it was then I realised just how comprehensive my education was. 15 years later I have a stronger friendship with the guys I went to school with than I have with anybody who is not family. If you plan to put in half of the work required, this is not the school for you. There isnt much room for those who dont want to succeed. Good luck

The best school in town.

I spent 6 years at RMA. (58-63) It was, without doubt one of the great experiences of my life. No, its not an easy place, its a challenge and it produces men who can deal with challenges.Michael Spaulding

It was in my opinon the best year of my life i was in alpha but i loved every second of it.Thank you RMA -CARSON CHAPMAN

Study habits and discipline learned at Riverside were instrumental in preparing me to succeed in facing challenges of military and civilian practice of surgery. I am both a son and a father of 2 Riverside Alumni

It is good as reformatry school, but wastes a lot of time on parades and marching just for advertisment to parents without any benefit to cadets. 4 hours of marching and sometimes more in a week.

I am really impressed with the overall direction of the school, the beautiful campus and how committed the faculty, staff and alumni are to graduating good young men and helping ensure that future cadets have the opportunity to attend RMA.

My son goes there and it has been the best thing for him. He was not a discipline problem; he just could not get his focus and his grades were suffering. Riverside turned it around. Yes, sometimes a few bad seed slips in; some with discipline and drug problems, but they will not last at Riverside. One reviewer said that Riverside cadets dont take the easy way and that is correct. But they benefit and the benefit is noteworthy. If you want to invest in your son and his future; try Riverside.

Best time of my adolescent life, great times, awesome experience, some of my best friends for life came from there.

Its ok but going through it since it is fairly difficult but, offers many opportunities for potentialy successful future men. Also the teachers are awesome especially the history department.

I love Riverside it has been the best for my family, my family loves the campus,academics,teachers,staff,EVERYTHING!!! 5+++++!!!!

I made the decision to allow my son to attend what was arguably the best public high school we could get to (distance-wise) in our district for 9th grade. He would have to take Marta an hour to an hour and a half each way, and get on a city bus for at least 15 to 20 minutes each way to get to and from school each day. It was understood that if this did not work out, my son would attend the school of my choice; no questions asked. By the end of his 9th grade year, I hardly recognized my son. I could see he was going down a path that would only lead to his destruction and/or the ruin of any hopes of a bright future. I discovered Riverside from a pop-up on my computer screen, and decided to call and ultimately take a tour. I knew it was what my son needed. After a couple of months, I began facing the issue of how to afford Riverside. I contacted Riverside again and shared my circumstances and was told to bring the boy. I was beyond grateful that my son would have the opportunity to attend such a wonderful school and was sure he had been divinely favored.Sadly, not all of my family felt that way. I had a few supporters, but there were others who were dead-set against it. This made my sons 10th grade year hard for both of us. I never let him see me, but I would cry every time I left him. I knew I was doing what was best, but it just took me a lot longer to get used to the idea of my baby boy being away from home. At the end of the year, I could see great growth in my son, and I was sure I had made the right decision. I met another parent during a Pass and Review that year, and after chatting about our sons, she encouraged me to send my son to Leadership Camp during the summer. He protested, but at her advice, I sent him anyway. It was one of the best things I could have done! My son came back going on and on about all of the adventures he had doing things he would never have chosen on his own such as kayaking, rappelling even higher walls, etc.His 11th grade year was better, but I learned he was being influenced by a close family member to leave Riverside. Despite enduring many challenges as a family, my son finished the year strong academically--still maturing, still growing. By the end of the summer, he was actually excited about going to Leadership Camp. He once again came back going on and on about his canoeing adventure and other experiences.Today, we are in the final stretch of his senior year. I can hardly believe that! Because of his hard work, by the end of November 2017, he had been accepted to the college of his choice! It was such a relief knowing that his current GPA and ACT scores were enough to get him accepted and with a generous financial aid package. He will start there Fall 2018.We are now living the beginning of the realization of my goal when I first enrolled my son at Riverside; that he would be able to go to college with financial aid and that he would develop and mature into a responsible young man. For us, this would not have been possible without Riverside. Both our immediate and extended family members are so proud of my son and all he has accomplished at Riverside--academically and personally. More than that, I respect the young man he has become and for his strength, resilience, tenacity and for him not allowing less than ideal circumstances to make him lose sight of who he is and what his goals are. He came to Riverside as a lost boy, but he leaves as a responsible, capable, young man.Thank you, Riverside, and may God continue to bless you!

Riverside has been an excellent place to work, live, and raise children. The faculty and staff here are like family.

I went to RMA 60 years ago to learn english and military trsining. This was in 1968. From then I went on to graduate in Lamar University in Beaumont, TE and became senior Industrial Engineer for Chrysler de Venenezuela and years later General Mánager and CO for Victorven. Now retired I am living in Guacara, Edo Carabobo in my country, Venezuela.

I graduate from Riverside Military in 2004. The structure and discipline helped me change my life

I have been attending RMA for 5 years now, and at first I hated this academy ,but over the years I have began to fall in love with this institution. This school is a hard experience, but a necessary one. Not every high school student is going to get up at 6 AM (5 if you are a cadet leader) and continuously work until 10 PM (and very long nights if you are a leader). This school has taught me second chances. I have made so many mistakes as a leader, and still I have been given chance to correct my past. Without this school I would not be the amazing person I am today. Although with every great institution there are going to be flaws and down points, and something that this academy tries to do is learn from their mistakes, and they do a great job in fixing problems and making sure they dont happen again. I would recommend this school to any high school student struggling and just needs a little push of motivation.

I sent my son to Riverside because he was experiencing some emotional problems at home, reflected by acting out and refusal to obey house rules. Like another parent here who earlier wrote a review, parents naturally do miss their cadets during the month-long period of initial non-parental contact. (Riverside is a military school and all cadets undergo a sort of boot camp). But after this time passed, and parents are allowed to visit their sons for the first occasion, a big gala parade, the tears will surely flow and the changes in sons are staggeringly apparent. This school is, after all, about the young men, not the parents.Riverside will not turn a boy who does not have great study habits into a top scholar. I suspect no school can. What they were good at accomplishing, however, was to restore to him a sense of respect for his parents, other adults, and fellow classmates. Sure, all cadets will at times claim there are drugs, crimes, etc. all across the campus daily and nightly. You would think Riverside had gone all inner city on us. This is not the case, though, and likely reflects more that your young man might be homesick. I heard all kinds of bad stuff during those not so infrequent periods when my boy was blue. If your young man makes such claims, just cross-examine him on specifics--you know--who, what, where, when, did you see yourself? His answers will yield clues and make you feel better I am quite certain.Most times when asked about Riverside, my son would say, while I hate this school, I love this school. This is the perfect environment for some young men, and probably will not suit some others. Depends on your son and, unfortunately, on you and who you are as a parent. The school, though, is a wonderful tool that will improve your son, I am convinced.What you see is what you get at Riverside. It is a wonderful place for any boy to get an education without the distractions and negative factors present in most public schools. Check it out!

Overall, very good school with qualified faculty and staff. Our son attended RMA for only one semester. We withdrew him when we moved out of state. If we had not moved he would have stayed as long as he wanted to attend RMA. The only negative comment we have is that RMA is a private educational organization formally classified as a 501(c)(3) thus some decisions are made with money as the primary goal without regard to what is in the best interest of the cadets. There are many ways to turn a profit while still maintaining a non profit status. The school likes to brag about their out of state students. However, they failed to take into account the psychological needs of our cadet who was abandoned by his biologiccal parents and was concerned we had done the same to him when we moved to MI from GA. Again, great school focused on academics and not solely discipline reform. There are real children and families that love them at the other end of each selfish decision. One would expect a retired military officer to understand this.

Reading the negative comments is fair notice to the parents of prospective Cadets that; unfortunately, not everyone takes advantage of the amazing opportunity that going to Riverside presents, and, a certain percentage of students are simply unable to thrive without the short term comfort of the everyone gets a trophy system found at most other schools. I attended Riverside for four years and it was hard work, challenging and not fun if one compared it to staying home playing video games while mom makes their bed. I wanted to go and I bought into the system and I am grateful. Since graduation 23 years ago, it has become a lifelong business support network / brotherhood that has been extremely rewarding. My comment is here to disagree with those trying to blame an institution with over a century of success for their decision not to exploit the opportunity they now regret squandering. I also want to advise prospective parents to speak with current Riverside Cadets or Alumni if they want further information. The school will help you find an Alumni in your city and get you in touch with them.RMA is the best way for smart young men that want to improve themselves and refine their leadership, decision making and time management skills to prepare for their future by making them responsible for their success right now. If your son doesnt want to go, there’s a greater chance that a few months later he will be back home on Google Reviews consoling himself by blaming the school. Even these disgruntled former Cadets know they’ve missed something great and I hope they can get it together and come back and graduate before the opportunity passes.

I graduated in 2003 and have fond memories of Riverside. Some of my closest friendships were started there. As you can see from the negative comments there are always a few bad apples. And those typically are removed.Im not sure how it was possible for drug use as negative parent review stated. There were random drug tests given. With a zero tolerance.To the cadets who are angry and write negative comments, clearly youre not taking advantage of the opportunities that are given at the school. However, America will always have a need for hamburger flippers.I graduated from my University with Cum Laude honors, so I can first hand account for Riverside being a game changer. I am currently employed by a major bank and can attest that the skills I learned in RMA helped me get to where I am now. I know I speak for the vast brotherhood that if you decide to take the challenge you wont regret it. But you have to be willing to give it a chance.If youre reading this and youre a perspective student I wish you the very best and will gladly welcome you into the Brotherhood in Blue.

The most amazing school of its type in America.

As a class of 1988 graduate and current Chairman of the Alumni Council, I have a unique way to embrace my RMA experience in a hindsight and things to come fashion.In hindsight, it was simply the best gift that my family ever gave me, despite the fact that I did not exactly appreciate it at the time. I learned in short order how to fail and get back up, how to succeed and bring others with me, and most importantly how to own, rather than blame someone else for, those successes and failures going forward. Riverside is not easy, nor should it be, but that difficulty is what pays long-term dividends.In a things to come fashion, it is exciting to see where Riverside is heading. It is equally exciting seeing the success of the current cadre both on and off campus.Simply put, Riverside is a long-term investment in your sons life that pays so well over time that the return is truly immeasurable...read priceless.John B. McKernan II, RMA 88

This actually happened to a poor child in the seventh grade, it has been a few years but I finally decided to post this, it has all happened, I was in seventh when I had wrote this so please excuse any mistakes.A time when I saw someone do wrong was a few nights ago. It was the ending of mess three and we were all jumpy and dreaded going to study hours. We went outside saluted the flag and then we all marched back in an improper manner. Everyone was goofing around and someone was getting bullied by a jerk who is very annoying. And so he was kicking the cadet who was getting bullied all the way back to the barracks. I didn’t know because I was goofing around somewhere else. And so our leaders had stopped us and yelled at us to shut up and to quit goofing around. Then they continued to march us, then we had stopped and quickly began to mess around and talk because we wouldn’t be able to talk again for an hour and a half. Then we had stopped outside the barracks and went up the stairs to alpha. While I was walking up the first set someone took the same kid who was getting bullied, took there cover and threw it down the stairs, they were above me and it came on top of me. So the kid who was getting bullied ran down to pick it up. Someone had handed it to him and he had accepted it to be spit on by the same bully. After he was spit on he wiped it off and went up the rest of the way to the formation to be told what would happen tonight. So the same kid tried to tell a platoon sergeant and he wouldn’t listen then the kid who was getting bullied blew a fuse and was yelling at everyone in the company. So he went to tell the TAC and got there after being punched. Lieutenant Inglett stopped him and heard him out so then he got the bullies into the TAC office. After the kid who had been bullied left, Lieutenant Inglett and the jerks were laughing and having a good ole jolly time while the kid who was bullied was in tears. I believe this is injustice because they were not punished or anything. I believe this only happens in alpha so I will call it alpha injustice. This is where no one will listen to the truth no matter what you say or do. What the TAC did is total alpha injustice. In conclusion, I hope riverside will fix these problems. Although riverside is the worst school I have attended, there is much more that happens than what they say, most of the kids do drugs daily and never get caught or in any trouble, this school also lies to you a lot.

I attended RMA from 1995 to 2000.ProsAcademicI want to point out that RMA is a school first and foremost, and making sure that you have at least a real high school education is critical. After 5 years at the Academy I went to a State College while I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life. I didn’t actually have to pay attention for the first 2 years of school because all of it was review for me based on my time with RMA. My interactions at school ended often stealing the focus of the class with my questions while my peers were busy playing catch up. I can honestly say that my college experience was magnified by the critical thinking and the foundation taught to me at Riverside.CharacterDuring college I decided to go serve in the Military after 9/11. It was a decision based on character and idealism. I know a lot of other Cadets that did the same. I know some that are not with us anymore. Say what you will about the results, but it was young men (19ish) deciding to put their money where their mouth was and ‘do’ for their country.AdulthoodMy mother told me later, after I had graduated, I changed after my first year at Riverside. She asked me what happened to me. The bottom line is at RMA you are treated like an adult from day one. This can often be harsh to someone that isn’t used to that level of responsibility, but when I saw the freedom that afforded me. Good performance granted me access to opportunities as reward, which saddled me with more responsibilities and more chance for reward.I will be frank about the cons I saw:Drugs:There were drugs, less than both the public school systems in Georgia and California. There was also a no tolerance policy which I cannot say the same for the Public systems. Getting caught with drugs was equal to banishment at RMA. The most prevalent drugs were over the counter and prescription abuses. It came down to what they were exposed to before they got to RMA. I saw students abusing Adderall to fuel academic study-sessions. I saw a Cadet in my platoon die from huffing aero-duster because he used watch his friends do it at home while he was on leave.Violence/Bullying:This was present, I was a subjected to it myself, until I seized the motivation to stop it. I will say that at RMA if I got into a fight it was a fair one. When I was in public school I remember having a tough time with bullies because they were in packs. I have to point out that fights were not tolerated and bullying was never acceptable, and Cadets that engaged in it were punished. Cadets that were fighting back were also punished, because fights require two parties. Self-defense wasn’t an actual legitimate defense.Blowing Off Steam:We were expected to be professional students in a military setting. This put a pretty big strain on your mind. Some times that release of pressure translated into some terrifying hi-jinks and stupid decisions when we were on liberty, or on leave. I equate this to the same thing that happens with Sailors in port, accept the stakes are raised for Cadets. So if you go out drinking when your 17, if you get caught, you’re in trouble no matter if you were drinking 1 or 20 beers. Some abstained, some went ballistic because it didn’t matter if you were a little drunk or hammered you were in trouble either way.SummaryAt RMA we learned by overcoming adversity: that adversity was everywhere: Grading, Inspections, Drill, Athletics, Promotion, the outside world. Sometimes RMA could be cruel, but the experience wasn’t degraded by lowering the standards or making things easier for someone because they were having trouble adapting. It simply was ‘adapt or fail.’RMA is not an environment for everyone. If you want to give your young man the most beneficial tools and lessons to succeed in his life, or just to define success in his own terms: you will send him to Riverside, and support him while he struggles through the journey.

I highly suggest you not sending you kid here. there is fights at least 5 time day and kids get beat up in the rooms all the time as well.if you ever send your child here be warned of the following people,Captain Santos, Sargent Major Sosa, First Sargent williams there are many more, i just forgot their names. this previous year a kid had jumped out of a window due to how the school structure is, and then the president of the school lied to the parent and students and said the kid was fine when really the kid was a vegetable and could no longer move. Even though the schools moto is a cadet will not lie cheat or steal, the school does that every time they enroll a student and some of the teachers admit to it. drugs are all through out the school. Kids are always selling them to make some extra money. i dont blame them their stuck in an instatution, The school is a food chain the strong buff kids beat up the smaller kids and some times kids get close to death. this is the worst school ive heard of so far other then hargrove and camden military school. they should have closed the school in the 90s when the kids use to hang them selves with their ties

Very nice . And well kept

The best school in the world.

We saw a play here. It is a very nice facility.

Our son is doing outstanding, there.

This schools terrible and treat us like prisoners it’s summer and they have all social media platforms blocked tf

Its a decent school.

Nothing like they said it would be like

All schools should be like Riverside.

Going by Mr .Williams review nothing has changed in 50 years, I was there in1964-65 and the only difference is it cost $5,000 a year then.

My dad at his 60th reunion, cant be any better.

A perfect prison.

Excellent place to teach.

Great school

Does it cost money to get in to this school and how much and what are the requirements?

Graduation class of 1993

School is absolutely horrible

Great school

Amazing 😉

I love this school

Honestly i go here and i hate it

Its absolutely terrible

Cool thanks

Terrible

Leadership academy 2012

Class of 59

An unforgettable experiences