Riverdale offers a range of experiences in the summer. From short workshops, to travel, to longer research programs, Summer at Riverdale fosters student-led learning allowing students to develop their sense of curiosity and delve deeper into areas of interest. Students explore connections between academic disciplines and issues they care about, by engaging in independent research, meeting with professionals in the field, working to solve community problems, making art, growing food, building robots, and more. Summer experiences at Riverdale help to build community, support our mission of lifelong learning, and empower students to write their own story. See below for Riverdale’s unique summer opportunities open to current and entering students, as well as students who do not attend Riverdale.
Science Research
Riverdale’s Lisman Laboratories research programs provide hands-on, real-world applications of science, challenging students to integrate academic concepts from the school year into advanced, college-level research projects. We strive to inspire students to advocate for ethical, informed science, enabling them to lead collective efforts through responsible decision-making. By doing so, we aim to shape participants into creators of knowledge, catalysts for scientific advancement, and champions for meaningful change. This summer, we offer three dynamic opportunities for Upper School students: Freight Farm Sustainability and Crop Yield Optimization, Neuroscience and Bioinformatics, and Molecular Ecology and Urban Forestry, which includes an immersive five day experience in New York’s Black Rock Forest.
Open to: Current Riverdale students only
History Research
In our annual History Research Workshop students use the historical skills that they build during the year to explore history in a hands-on way. Through partnerships with local archives and scholars, students expand their understanding of how historians and communities access and build the historical record. Students participate in group introductions to archival and community-based historical research before diving into the detective work of their own historical research. Student historians examine original documents and artifacts, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for the practice of history. The History department runs one program each summer, including “From Community to Collection: Archiving Asian America in New York City” (2025) and “Jewish Daily Life in Turn-of-the-Century New York” (2024).
Open to: Current Riverdale students only.
Travel Programs
Riverdale’s commitment to experiential education continues into summer with faculty-led, small-group trips designed to broaden perspectives, deepen awareness, and cultivate meaningful connections. This year, Upper School students will travel to Scotland to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, to Peru for an immersive Spanish language and cultural experience, and to Africa to collaborate with students from South Africa and Zimbabwe on technology-based solutions for protecting rural food gardens from elephants. Closer to home, offerings include a farm-to-table cooking and environmental stewardship retreat at an Adirondack summer camp and two outdoor adventures in the High Peaks of Adirondack State Park: the ten-day “Forever Wild” backpacking trip for seventh and eighth graders and the High Peaks Wilderness Outdoor Leadership Course for experienced Upper School hikers.
Open to Riverdale students only.
Project Knowmad
Project Knowmad is a summer experiential program, uniquely designed and led by Riverdale faculty. It offers engaging and personalized experiences in an intimate, dynamic group setting. Knowmads utilize Riverdale’s two campuses as living laboratories for experiential learning and courses may include a one-day immersive experience at an off-campus destination in New York City. Our one-week programs allow students to explore new interests or delve deeper into a current passion.
Knowmad offerings include Digital Storytelling (June); Maker Space Studio Workshop (June), VEX Robotics Build Challenge (June); Seed to Table, our new Sustainable Agriculture course (June); and Girls in STEM Rocketry and Robotics (August). The Knowmad Program Course Catalog provides details on program dates, eligibility, teaching faculty, cost, and trip details. Additional courses may be added, including Debate and Public Speaking.
Riverdale families can Register Now through the Parent Portal. Students outside of the Riverdale community may register after communicating with the Knowmad Program Director at summerstudy@riverdale.edu.
Interning 101
Riverdale’s “Interning 101” is a signature internship preparedness program for sophomores and juniors. As we embark on our 16th year of the program, we continue to see demand and interest from our students. Over 140 students committed to the program last year and participated in workshops held in late winter and early spring focused on resume writing and interviewing skills as well as business communication. Our team works to identify internship, shadowing and mentoring opportunities for our students in the Greater New York City area; and works to prepare students during the application and interview process. Students also meet in small groups and individually with school staff to research other internship opportunities. Throughout the Interning 101 program process, students learn more about themselves and their areas of interest. Over the years, students have interned for law firms, real estate companies, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, private art galleries, public cultural institutions, and local government agencies.
Open to: Current Riverdale students only