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Riverstone International School is a unique independent school located in Boise, Idaho that offers an education based on the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school has two campuses: the Warm Springs Campus, which houses the elementary and middle school in southeast Boise, and the Broadway Campus, housing high school students from grades 10 to 12 in downtown Boise.

The Broadway Campus has an atmosphere much like a small college, and also allows students access to downtown Boise’s many resources, including Boise State University. Riverstone students are actively involved in every facet of school life and enjoy a wide range of co-curricular programs.

With over 40 percent of their high school student body coming from other countries, Riverstone is committed to international education. Riverstone students are consistently admitted into the finest colleges and universities throughout the world, and the Class of 2010 received in excess of $2,900,000 in non-loan and merit-based scholarships.

Riverstone Academics

An advantage of the campus atmosphere of Riverstone is that education extends far beyond the reaches of the classroom. Students are led beyond the rigors of international curriculum and encouraged to engage the community through acts of service, political activity and internships.

Riverstone is an accredited member of several independent school associations and offers three IB-recognized programs: the Diploma Programme (DP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

Service learning underpins the school’s mission. It begins with kindergarten students and continues throughout the curriculum. Every student on campus participates in the “Rake-Up Boise” leaf-raking project, while individual classes plan and implement their own service assignments. In every case, students are encouraged to hone life skills while giving back to the community.

Beyond Riverstone’s emphasis on service, there’s also a strong undercurrent of character development at work here. Students are exposed to universal ethics at an early age and encouraged to grapple with tough ethical dilemmas. In every case, the “Six Pillars of Character” – fairness, caring, citizenship, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness – are stressed.

The great outdoors

Outdoor education is also part of the core curriculum. Kindergarteners set out on an exciting overnight trip, while seniors in high school embark on a weeklong backpacking adventure. In between are endless opportunities to visit the deserts, mountains, rivers and rainforest of the American West. Students with an especially keen interest in exploring the rugged Idaho terrain can join the outdoor program put on by their level.

Students also enjoy a range of athletic opportunities. The football and basketball teams compete with teams from other schools in Idaho. There’s also a ski and snowboard team available for middle school and high school students. Veteran winter athletes can hone their skills, but students who’ve never even seen snow before are also welcome to join.

To find out more about studying at Riverstone International School, visit the website or Facebook page.