Education & Retreat Center
The Sheila and Frank Magullion Education and Retreat Center is located on Riverbend’s satellite campus, less than one mile from our main campus on Eliot Street. This land, along with two residential homes, was gifted to Riverbend School in 2024, and it includes over 5.5 acres of landscaped lands, diverse flora, and woods. The Center and its surrounding properties enhance Riverbend’s outdoor education programs.
Outdoor Education
Our students love taking field trips throughout the year to our satellite campus on the Riverbend mini-bus. The Magullion Center on Pleasant Street is an inspiring location for exploration and adventure as students learn about the many plants and animals that live on this property. It’s a truly special place for group discussions, sketching, contemplation, and fun adventures. Students from grades K-8 enjoy fully integrated outdoor learning projects that not only feature science and nature, but also include history, the arts, math, mindfulness, and literacy curriculums.
Reflective Space
The grounds of the Magullion Center provide a wonderful reflective space for educators to gather. The meditative atmosphere of the property makes it the perfect gathering place for Montessori educators from the Boston Metrowest area and beyond. We will host workshops and retreats for Montessori teachers and administrators, allowing educators to share best practices, innovative strategies, and diverse perspectives.
When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.
— Maria Montessori
About Sheila and Frank Magullion
Frank, originally from Dorchester, and Sheila, who was born in Taggerty, Australia, met in Europe before marrying and eventually settling in Natick. Frank, a World War II Army Air Corps veteran, later became the owner of Multiprint Inc. in Boston. Sheila, a passionate horticulturist, began her career at the Arnold Arboretum and later worked at the New England Wildflower Society in Framingham, where she discovered a deep blue variety of Lobelia now known as “Sheila’s Blue.” Married for over 50 years, Sheila and Frank dedicated much of their lives to supporting education and environmental stewardship, and Sheila specifically built an impressive horticultural legacy through her personal gardens and work with local conservation organizations.