Rippowam Cisqua School

We`ve had such a positive experience at Rippowam Cisqua for our two daughters during our last four years at the school! Both daughters joined in JPK and we`ve been impressed with the Early Childhood program. The teachers are exceptionally caring, thoughtful, and dedicated to our daughter`s development. They are also strong communicators always keeping you apprised of the latest and providing support along the way. The small class sizes and individualized attention have created an ideal environment for our daughters to thrive. It has also fostered a love of school and learning from a young age. We also love how much the school has promoted a sense of community. The 7th graders partner with SPK students to make animal puzzles in the innovation lab. Students have buddies for Field Day to promote school spirit! Rippowam Cisqua fosters a love of learning, encourages exploration, and values the development of the individual academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe the experience will allow our daughters to explore their interests, develop their talents, and be immersed in experiences that will prepare them to thrive in life. While still young, we`re already seeing this foundation and can`t wait to continue to watch them grow! My daughters are excited to go to school every day and disappointed when they are not with their teachers and classmates! Ripp students are happy, well-rounded, and engaged in learning. We feel a tremendous sense of pride to be part of this community. Our girls are thriving at Rippowam!

We love Rippowam! As an international family with Third Culture Kids, with a 5-year ex-pat experience in Germany, England, and Hong Kong, it was a chance meeting that introduced us to Rippowam 4 years ago. We had never even heard of Bedford! We were returning to the US to give our children stability through their schooling in their teenage years, and after attending the academic, competitive Hong Kong International School, we were looking for a smaller school that would be equally challenging and yet nurturing for our two girls, entering 6th and 7th grade. To say we have been blown away by Rippowam is an understatement! From day one we were given a warm welcome into the school and greater community. There are endless ways to get involved, however much or little you would like. There are so many ways for your children to "shine" and be recognized, the school communication is excellent, I have been impressed with the additional programs, including those for DEI, and there are wonderful school-wide traditions that foster community. The beloved staff and faculty wear many hats, for example, The Head of School, who not only guided us through the pandemic challenges with an open school, incredible leadership, innovation, and grace, he is also teaching 9th-grade humanities. Talk about having a finger on the pulse! In my opinion, the hidden gem of this school is the 9th-grade capstone program, it has been a transformational experience for my girls. Another gem for sure is the fantastic, well-connected Secondary School Office, which will guide you and your child through a most structured application process with continuous support. Our girls have excelled beyond belief at this school, not only academically but socially-emotionally they are grounded, self-confident and happy, and we couldn`t be more grateful to Rippowam for this well-rounded education. Thank you! EP

Our son has attended Rippowam since Kindergarten. After a thorough assessment of the various options in Westchester, we chose Rippowam (even though it's further from our house than other choices) due to the incredible community, the dedicated and caring faculty, and staff, and the personal attention given to each and every student. Our son is thriving at Rippowam. The school is able to push him to succeed and to provide plentiful opportunities, including hands-on learning that takes advance of Rippowam's setting and community. Given the high student-to-teacher ratio, Rippowam is able to provide advanced opportunities for those students who are ready for them and to support those who need more attention.

Rippowam is fantastic. All three children have attended since pre-k and have loved their experience. They are independent, confident, happy, engaged, and inspired. They jump out of the car each morning and run into their classrooms. They come home with passion and determination to do their homework and set weekend play dates with their friends. We could not be more thrilled with the teachers, administration, leadership, curriculum, families, and quality of students who attend Rippowam. This school is inspiring and we are lucky to be part of the Rippowam ecosystem that is providing such a solid educational foundation. The innovation program is incredible and further sets the school apart from all others. The Red-Blue team competition creates a healthy school spirit that encourages kids to do their best across academics, sports, and extra-curricular activities.

Our three children are enrolled at Rippowam ages 3, 7, and 12. Their curriculum is scientifically based and student-centered. They meet every child where they`re at emotionally, socially, and educationally. Their character development and wellness program helps to create well-rounded learners. I am at ease knowing that my children are enthusiastic to attend school with such a caring staff. Take a look for yourself it`s worth the visit!

We have been very proud members of the RCS community since 2015. Our daughter will begin the 3rd Grade and our son Kindergarten in the Fall. We really value the academic curriculum and small class sizes and teachers who love and are good at what they do. RCS also provides a very balanced education based on a biological model that correlates very well with a child`s development. They also create a warm and nurturing environment that promotes critical thinking and independence but also a sense of belonging to a larger and diverse world. We highly recommend this school. You will not regret your decision!

RCS has been a wonderful experience for my 3 children. From kindergarten through the middle school our experience has been nothing short of fantastic. The faculty in the elementary school teaches with enthusiasm and cultivate a sense of wonder and joy of learning that stays with the children throughout their time at RCS. The middle school increases academic rigor but in a cross-disciplinary way, they allow children to experience education rather than memorizing facts and figures. The faculty's guidance and preparation of the children for high school make the transition seamless.

My children have thrived at Rippowam Cisqua School. The class sizes are small and the teachers are the best of the best. The RCS community is supportive in every way. My children are known and supported by teachers, administrators, friends, and parents. The academics are rigorous and at the same time innovation is at the heart of the education.

The search for the right school for my daughter ended the moment I stepped foot into Rippowam Cisqua. This school has become our home away from home. It is a place where my daughter has grown and so have I. And, it is a place where every staff member makes you feel like your child is their favorite. I could not imagine this incredible journey anywhere else.

Rippowam is community of educators and students who care! A challenging, relevant curriculum engages students in real world conversations and challenges. We have experienced every grade, 5-9 and could not be more impressed with the outcome for each of our (very different!) children. They are challenged, encouraged to take intellectual risks, think critically and analytically and step up to take on leadership roles. All along the way, they are supported and feel known as individuals. Their teachers know their strengths, know when to push them further and know when to adjust to their specific needs in the moment. Ripp empowers its students with confidence, empathy and critical analytical and communication skills (they become powerful writers and speakers). They are learn real leadership skills and leave poised to succeed in high school.

Ripp is an incredible school. The kids are well adjusted, confident communicators and natural leaders. There is a focus on character, innovation and leadership throughout the school. Teachers are invested and know your children. Academics is stressed from an early age, but in the lower grades its play based and the kids don't realize how much they are enjoying learning. By First grade all three of my kids become strong readers. STEM is stressed throughout the school. In the Upper Campus, the math program is especially strong. Kids graduate and are in high demand at their next school, and well prepared for wherever they go. I feel very lucky to send my kids to RCS.

I cannot begin to describe the wonderful joy that Ripp has brought into my family's life for the last 15 years. With two children who went all the way through the program from 3 years old to when they began high school, and with a 10 year old bringing up the rear there now, Ripp is our rock. The confidence and independence that this unusually strong school community provides is something two of my kids have take with them to college. This is the best foundation you can give your children. This school puts out a unique product: poised, polite, eager learners, solid public speakers, ready for anything. It's an incredible journey. Thank you, Ripp!

My son's preschool teacher recommended Rippowam Cisqua School because she thought a more personalized approach would provide more benefit for him than a larger, public school system. She was right! Every teacher got to know who he was as a learner but also as an individual, which helped with his confidence and academic growth. He experimented with different sports and found his strengths. He also experimented with different art programs and found his weaknesses. When it was time to search for a high school, he was perfectly capable of evaluating his choices and choosing the school he thought best matched his personality and learning style. After he graduated, he easily adapted to his new high school and was able to step into the academics (some of which he had already done at Ripp), manage the workload, excel in the sports he mastered at Ripp, and find his niche in the arts. And because of Ripp he is very comfortable expressing his ideas and advocating for himself with teachers and fellow students. I'm so glad he spent his elementary and middle school years at Ripp and thankful to the teacher that put it on our radar.