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At a Glance

Our talented faculty and staff represent a broad range of perspectives and educational experiences. They are the school’s most precious resource, and we endeavor to provide them ample access to professional development opportunities, appropriate teaching and learning environments, and professional autonomy, so that they can best deliver on their mission to nurture every child’s growth.

School Divisions

Children’s House (CH) (33 Eliot Street):
Toddler, Primary and Kindergarten

Lower Elementary (LE) (37 Eliot Street):
1st – 3rd grade

Upper Elementary (UE) (35 Eliot Street):
4th – 6th grade

Middle School (MS) (39 Eliot Street):
7th and 8th grade

Office Hours & Information:

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(Monday to Friday)

Main Number: 508-655-7333

Fax Number: 508-655-3867

After Care Phone: 508-545-2912

Mailing Address:
39 Eliot Street, Natick, MA 01760

History

  • 1907 – First Montessori program, Maria Montessori’s Casa dei Bambini (Children’s House) established in Rome, Italy
  • 2010 – Riverbend School formed from the merger of Eliot Montessori School (1971–2010) and Natick Montessori (2000–2010)
  • 2020 – Riverbend School debuts new Lower Elementary and gymnasium facilities
  • 2021 – All of Riverbend’s campus now permanently resides on one side of Eliot Street

Students

  • 184 students from ages 15 months through 8th grade
  • 25% of students are from diverse ethnic backgrounds
  • 18.5% of the student body receives tuition assistance. This represents financial aid for students in grades K-8.

Teachers

AVERAGE STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO:
  • 4.5:1 Toddler
  • 9:1 Primary
  • 10:1 Elementary
  • 10:1 Middle School

Over 45% of faculty hold advanced degrees—our talented faculty are highly qualified; Toddler through Elementary teachers have been trained through accredited programs and granted American Montessori Society (AMS) or Association of Montessori Internationale (AMI) teaching certificates.

29% of faculty come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Campus

Our 12,500 square foot “green” Children’s House at 33 Eliot Street opened in 2014. It is home to our Toddler, Primary, and Kindergarten programs, and its five-acre lot includes a playground and outdoor garden/play spaces for each classroom.

Our Upper School facilities include a newly built school house at 37 Eliot Street, as well as a playground, athletic fields, a courtyard, gardens, and a picnic area.

Our recently renovated Upper Elementary building was converted from a transformed 18th Century tavern into a new facility, and has four large instructional spaces for academics, accommodating Science, Math, and History instruction. This building is located at 35 Eliot Street.

In 2020 our school completed construction and build-out of two new buildings, expanding the campus to include the new Lower Elementary Schoolhouse and a gymnasium. The project was a big step in the maturation of our school. Much like the Children’s House and the Upper Elementary building, the new Lower El classrooms are purpose-built spaces that are designed to support the Montessori pedagogy. The building provides new areas for art and design spaces to allow our students to expand their curious nature and problem solving skills. And the addition of a full size gymnasium has given our students the chance to spread their wings and continue to develop their physical and gross motor skills.

In 2021 Riverbend acquired 41 Eliot Street, making way for Middle School to occupy the former administrative offices at 39 Eliot Street. The garage at 39 Eliot Street was converted into a beautiful new Music classroom, and the building has two large main spaces for academics. In addition to housing the Middle School and the Music classroom, the building also houses Languages and our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.

The administrative building at 41 Eliot Street houses the business, development, and marketing offices.