Riverview Alternative

We would like to acknowledge that our schools are on unceded Algonquin Homeland, and thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us on their land. We will continue to honour their beliefs and respect their land.

Our School

Riverview Alternative School is situated within a thriving community located in the southeast sector of Ottawa. Riverview Alternative School is unique in that it is not a typical neighbourhood school. While some students live close by, many come from a broad catchment area that stretches north to the Ottawa River, east to Cumberland, south to Osgoode and west to the Rideau River. As a result, the majority of our students ride the bus (or van) twice a day.

Our small school offers a two-year full day bilingual kindergarten program. The school provides an Alternative (English/Core French) program from grades 1 to 6. As an Alternative Program, we expect and welcome parental involvement in all aspects of our school life. The program provides each child with an opportunity to become aware of their preferred learning style through a wide variety of learning activities and experiences. Hands on activities for discovery learning complement printed material and texts. We offer a balance between teacher-directed and student-centered learning, with a strong emphasis on the arts, the environment, character education, healthy living and well-being.

Riverview Alternative School has an on-site partnership with Andrew Fleck Child Care Services who provide before and after school care to students.

Our Students

Our 220 students reflect a diverse learning community and reside in a wide variety of communities located in the south-east sector of Ottawa. They come from a variety of backgrounds and reflect a wide range of talents, abilities, learning styles and learning needs. A large number of our students are bused as our alternative program attendance boundary is large.

Our Staff

We have 14 homeroom teachers, as well as a Learning Support Teacher and Learning Resource Teachers, 3 Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), 4 Educational Assistants (EAs), a Vice-Principal and Principal. Many teachers have additional qualifications in Special Education, Math, Kindergarten, and Language/Reading, as well as other areas of teaching expertise.

Our staff work as a team to provide a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment for our students. Like all OCDSB schools, we have access to our central support staff, which includes a social worker, psychologist, speech pathologist, instructional coach and learning support consultants.

Our Community

Our students parents represent a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, and languages. An active and involved group of parents donate generously of their time to support classrooms, run pizza lunches,  movie or games nights, fun fairs, family dances and assist with field trips, classroom jobs, reading to students, and various other fundraising activities. They contribute many hours of their time to support classroom activities and learning experiences.

The School Council meets regularly throughout the year. Fundraising initiatives support classroom programs, library acquisitions, school yard play equipment, environmental and science projects, field trips, music, arts and drama programming, Aboriginal education programming, and subsidization of other school initiatives, all contributing to a safe, healthy and strong learning environment for our students.

Mission Statement

Our students, as Kids for a Better World, will become independent life-long learners with a strong set of academic, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills that will allow them to be successful in the world and contribute to it in a meaningful way.

Facilities and Resources

Riverview Alternative School benefited from a very generous gift of $25,000 from Canada Computers for the purchase of technology resources for our school.

Our school was nominated  by a former student who, after winning the Intel Retail Edge Challenge, directed the funds to his former school.

These funds allowed Riverview Alternative to install Smart Boards and projectors in each of our classrooms, as well as augment other technological devices, such as iPads and dongles for iPad projection and interactive use with the Smart Boards, extending student learning using technology.

• Computer Lab, Chromebooks, iPad minis
• Library
• Gymnasium

On-site child care through Andrew Fleck Before and After School Child Care Program.

Our 8.5 acres of school grounds offer ample space to our students for play and learning opportunities.

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

• 2 Year Full-Day Bilingual Kindergarten
• Teachers and ECEs partner to enhance and support student learning
• 40 minutes daily of French as a Second Language Instruction to grades 1- 6
• A halftime English as a Second Language teacher supports  Primary and Junior English students. 
• We use an inclusionary model of in-class support with teachers working with their Learning Resource Teacher partners.
• We have a Balanced School Day schedule. Our day is divided into three learning blocks, each block separated by a 15 – 20 minute Nutrition Break and  a 25 - 30 minute outdoor recess break.

Special Education and ESL Programs

• 1.3 Learning Resource Teachers offer support to students in their homeroom classes.
• Our  Learning Support Teacher coordinates, leads and implements student support.
• 4  Educational Assistant provides in-class learning support for students with special needs.

Clubs and Activities (These vary from year to year based on staff skills)

• Alternative Schools Sports Days (Bordenball, Triple Ball, Basketball, Track and Field)
• School Spirit Days
• WITS/LEADS anti-bullying program
• Seasonal Play Days
• Pizza Days/Hot Dog Days
• Breakfast Club

Riverview Run

Riverview Alternative School promotes active and healthy living. Grade 1-6 students meet to walk or run laps on our beautiful and spacious front lawn. Staff and students from all classes blend together for the Riverview Run. School community and parents are always welcome to join in.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast is offered to interested JK-6 students before school daily, with parental permission. This program is funded by monetary contributions from the Ottawa Network for Education Breakfast Program and generous partners.