Co-Curriculars

Overview

Riverdale offers a range of experiences in the summer. From short workshops 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 city, working to solve community problems, and making art, music, podcasts, and more. Summer at Riverdale helps to build community and Riverdale’s culture of lifelong learning.

Science Research

Riverdale’s Lisman Laboratories offers two summer research programs, one focused on neuroscience and bioinformatics and another on astrophysics. In the neuroscience and bioinformatics programs, students develop a research question, then perform in silico (performed on computer) experiments using a database from the Allen Institute for Brain Science. In the astrophysics program, students will explore their own authentic research questions about variable stars, guided by Riverdale faculty. Students will work to collect and analyze data on variable stars, including those that we observe with our own telescope while on a trip in Arizona and images collected from remote telescopes around the world. 

Open to: Current Riverdale students only

History Research

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, New York City became home to hundreds of thousands of Jewish migrants from across the world. These immigrants blended the cultures and experiences from their countries of origin and their new environment to create a vibrant Jewish culture in New York. Students will visit museums and the archives of research libraries to dig into a rich period of New York history. They’ll hear from scholars and librarians about how to use old (archival) and contemporary resources to paint a complete picture of the lived experience of Jewish immigrants. Students will then conduct their own research and present their own research on a topic of their choice.

Open to: Current Riverdale students only.

Project Knowmad

An experiential learning program taught by Riverdale faculty, Project Knowmad uses New York City and environs as its classroom. Knowmad gets students out and about, exploring the city around an interdisciplinary theme with sustained focus.  During its 11-year history, Knowmad faculty have taught imaginative, fun, and engaging courses. Students have made films, talked coding with tech developers, explored culinary New York from farm to table, and made all forms of artwork from sculpture to drawing to painting to go-karts.

Offerings are open to Riverdale and Non-Riverdale students and include students in rising 5-12 grades. Non-Riverdale students may apply with recommendations and the latest report card. Apply here.

Open to: current, entering and non-Riverdale students

Travel Programs

Riverdale students in Middle and Upper School have opportunities to travel and study during the summer. On a two-week backpacking course, “In Mountains’ Shadow: Myth and Reality of the American West, A Backpacking Adventure in the Uinta Mountains of Northern Utah and the Pioneer Range of Southern Idaho,” upper-school students will explore some of the country’s most beautiful mountain ranges, developing leadership skills while exploring the remarkable history, landscape, and spirit of the American West.  A group of Upper School students enrolled in Riverdale’s Japanese language classes will travel to Japan and participate in a homestay program to build upon their linguistic and cultural skills. 

“Forever Wild,” an excursion to New York’s Adirondack Park, where students will build leadership and teamwork skills through ten days of backpacking, rock-climbing in “America’s first wilderness” is planned for Summer 2025 among other experiences. 

Open to: Current Riverdale students only

Interning 101:
Summer Internship Preparation Program

Current sophomores and juniors are invited to join Interning 101  to gain awareness about internship and volunteer opportunities in New York City and learn basic essential skills including: resume writing, business communication, interviewing skills, and how to conduct research to find the right summer internship opportunities. The program includes three required workshops given in February and March. Juniors have access to a list of Riverdale connected internships and job shadowing opportunities provided by parents and alumni. Program leaders are available for individual consultation throughout the program. 

Open to current 10th and 11th grade Riverdale students. Information about the program will be shared with students and families in December. This program is free for interested students.

Open to: Current Riverdale students only

Computer Science
Social Entrepreneurship Program

In the Riverdale CS Summer Social Entrepreneurship program, students will use the knowledge and skills acquired in their CS coursework at Riverdale and apply them in an entrepreneurial setting to build a solution for Riverdale Country School. Throughout the program, students will discover firsthand what it takes to propose, design, build, launch and maintain a social entrepreneurship operation while connecting with industry professionals within the greater NYC community. Last year’s cohort built the Riverdale Student Activities website, a one-stop platform which provides information on courses, student activities, and service learning opportunities to our student community. The CS Summer Entrepreneurship program is open to any rising junior or senior who has taken at least one year of Computer Science courses at Riverdale Country School as well as rising seniors with a deep interest in market research, communications, and product development. 

Open to: Current Riverdale students only

Summerdale Programs
in Math and English

Summerdale courses in Math and English offer Middle and Upper School students an opportunity to review skills and get ready for the upcoming academic year. The program takes place in person on the Hill Campus. Students may apply with a recommendation from their Dean.

Open to: Current Riverdale students only