Rivermont Collegiate
Encyclopedia
Rivermont Collegiate is a nonsectarian
, independent
, multicultural, college preparatory school for students - preschool through twelfth grade
. It is the only nonsectarian
, independent school
in Iowa
, located in the heart of the Quad Cities
in Bettendorf, Iowa (three hours west of the Chicago
area, where Interstate 74 crosses the Mississippi River
).
Rivermont Collegiate provides a broad range of intellectual, physical, artistic, and cultural activities that challenge students to develop values, to prepare for leadership, and to aspire to excellence in an American democracy. Rivermont Collegiate has a 100% college
acceptance for all graduating seniors, and is for above average students who desire to be in a strong academic environment.
Rivermont Collegiate is currently a member of the National Association of Independent Schools
(NAIS), the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), Council for Advance and Support of Education (CASE), and the National Honor Society
(NHS).
In 1846, a group of transplanted New England Congregationalists with a strong social-reformer orientation formed the Trustees of Iowa College. Although founded in Davenport, Iowa
, Iowa College moved from its Davenport location to the town of Grinnell after being invited by Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
to move to his newly-founded town, located at the intersection of two major railroads. The Davenport location was later renamed to Griswold College, after Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold
of the Eastern Diocese
of the Episcopal Church
. Griswold College began growing slowly, adding a theological department, and Kemper Hall (which served as a boy's school).
In 1883, the trustees of Griswold College received a legacy from the estate of Miss Sarah Burr (an eastern churchwoman), for the establishment of a Church School for Christian
girls in the Episcopal Diocese
of Iowa
. These funds were invested in Cambria Place, a magnificent residence designed by a famous architect (who designed the Illinois State Capitol
and the Chicago Board of Trade
building), with five acres of land high on a bluff
overlooking the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa
. On September 24, 1884, Bishop William Stevens Perry founded St. Katharine's School, which was immediately placed high among college preparatory schools in the country. Meanwhile, Griswold college, theological department and boy's school were forced to close in the 1890s.
The school was originally organized as St. Katharine’s School
, an Episcopal boarding and day school for girls. Located at 10th and Tremont Streets in Davenport, the school thrived for over eighty years serving the needs of local girls as well as those from afar. However, St. Katharine’s later dropped its boarding program, became co-educational, in 1968 adding St. Mark’s to its name to reflect the change.
In 1973, St. Katharine's St. Mark's moved to its current location, the former home
of Joseph Bettendorf, and by 1980, the school amicably broke ties with the Episcopal Church. Eventually in 2001, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the school to Rivermont Collegiate (in order to reduce confusion about its religious affiliation). As the only K-12 independent school
in the Quad Cities
, Rivermont Collegiate has served the community and its families as an alternative to public and parochial schools since 1884.
The girls at St. Katharines were subject to strict rules. Students were not allowed to have books, magazines, or newspapers delivered without the principal's permission. Students could not keep any food except for fruit. Students couldn't go to town without a parent or teacher, and no student could spend the night out of the building. The only time students could go home was on Thursdays, but only till 8:00 p.m. They couldn't even spend Sundays at home. The girls were not allowed to wear jewelry, big dresses or silk dresses. Also, one hour of exercise was required everyday.
In 1910, the taxpayers of Davenport gave an observatory and telescope to the school but it burned to the ground in a fire.
Meanwhile, local industrialist Joseph Bettendorf was building his dream house, which later became the signature building of Rivermont Collegiate. Mr. Bettendorf, whose Bettendorf Company manufactured truck frames for railroad cars, helped draw the plans English Manor
style mansion on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. In 1915, he supervised construction of the mansion, complete with a sweeping terraced lawn overlooking the Mississippi.
Designed for entertaining railroad executives and community members, the house included a stained glass domed conservatory, formal dining room, parlor, music room, and billiard room. The second floor contained several bedrooms, a large sitting room and servant quarters. A ballroom was located on the third floor, and at one time two bowling alleys were located in the basement. The finest craftsmen were hired to work on the interior of the mansion, adding highly polished Italian marble, carved stone, molded plaster and beautifully hand-carved woodwork, doors, paneling and staircases throughout the home.
The Mansion - The former home of Joseph Bettendorf now houses the upper school
and middle school
as well as administrative offices. Despite being divided into classrooms and offices, the mansion retains much of its former glory.
Becherer/Central Hall - Rivermont's newest building houses the lower school and early childhood program as well as the auditorium and cafeteria.
The Annex/Wallace House currently houses the math and history departments and the Upper School office.
The Carriage House consists of the art and music departments.
The Gym serves as a basketball and volleyball court. The adjoining storage room serves as a health classroom and weight room.
The Painter Palace Formerly an art room, this small building is currently used for storage.
Nonsectarian
Nonsectarian, in its most literal sense, refers to a lack of sectarianism. The term is also more narrowly used to describe secular private educational institutions or other organizations either not affiliated with or not restricted to a particular religious denomination though the organization...
, independent
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
, multicultural, college preparatory school for students - preschool through twelfth grade
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. It is the only nonsectarian
Nonsectarian
Nonsectarian, in its most literal sense, refers to a lack of sectarianism. The term is also more narrowly used to describe secular private educational institutions or other organizations either not affiliated with or not restricted to a particular religious denomination though the organization...
, independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, located in the heart of the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
in Bettendorf, Iowa (three hours west of the Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
area, where Interstate 74 crosses the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
).
Rivermont Collegiate provides a broad range of intellectual, physical, artistic, and cultural activities that challenge students to develop values, to prepare for leadership, and to aspire to excellence in an American democracy. Rivermont Collegiate has a 100% college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
acceptance for all graduating seniors, and is for above average students who desire to be in a strong academic environment.
Rivermont Collegiate is currently a member of the National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
(NAIS), the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), Council for Advance and Support of Education (CASE), and the National Honor Society
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is a recognition program for high school students in grades 10-12 in the United States and in several other countries...
(NHS).
History
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, Iowa College moved from its Davenport location to the town of Grinnell after being invited by Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
Josiah Bushnell Grinnell
Josiah Bushnell Grinnell was a U.S. Congressman from Iowa's 4th congressional district, an ordained Congregational minister, founder of Grinnell, Iowa and benefactor of Grinnell College....
to move to his newly-founded town, located at the intersection of two major railroads. The Davenport location was later renamed to Griswold College, after Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold
Alexander Viets Griswold was the Episcopal Bishop of the Eastern Diocese, which included all of New England with the exception of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut....
of the Eastern Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
. Griswold College began growing slowly, adding a theological department, and Kemper Hall (which served as a boy's school).
In 1883, the trustees of Griswold College received a legacy from the estate of Miss Sarah Burr (an eastern churchwoman), for the establishment of a Church School for Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
girls in the Episcopal Diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. These funds were invested in Cambria Place, a magnificent residence designed by a famous architect (who designed the Illinois State Capitol
Illinois State Capitol
The Illinois State Capitol, located in Springfield, Illinois, is the building that houses the executive and legislative branches of the government of the U.S. state of Illinois. The current building is the sixth capitol of the state since its admission as a state of the United States in 1818. The...
and the Chicago Board of Trade
Chicago Board of Trade
The Chicago Board of Trade , established in 1848, is the world's oldest futures and options exchange. More than 50 different options and futures contracts are traded by over 3,600 CBOT members through open outcry and eTrading. Volumes at the exchange in 2003 were a record breaking 454 million...
building), with five acres of land high on a bluff
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
overlooking the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. On September 24, 1884, Bishop William Stevens Perry founded St. Katharine's School, which was immediately placed high among college preparatory schools in the country. Meanwhile, Griswold college, theological department and boy's school were forced to close in the 1890s.
The school was originally organized as St. Katharine’s School
St. Katherine's Historic District
St. Katherine's Historic District is located on the east side Davenport, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the campus of a former Episcopal girl’s school named St. Katherine’s Hall. It is currently the location of a senior living facility called...
, an Episcopal boarding and day school for girls. Located at 10th and Tremont Streets in Davenport, the school thrived for over eighty years serving the needs of local girls as well as those from afar. However, St. Katharine’s later dropped its boarding program, became co-educational, in 1968 adding St. Mark’s to its name to reflect the change.
In 1973, St. Katharine's St. Mark's moved to its current location, the former home
Joseph F. Bettendorf House
The Joseph F. Bettendorf House, located at 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, Iowa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built as a private home, the building now houses a private school named Rivermont Collegiate.-History :...
of Joseph Bettendorf, and by 1980, the school amicably broke ties with the Episcopal Church. Eventually in 2001, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the school to Rivermont Collegiate (in order to reduce confusion about its religious affiliation). As the only K-12 independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
in the Quad Cities
Quad Cities
The Quad Cities is a group of five cities straddling the Mississippi River on the Iowa–Illinois boundary. These cities, Davenport and Bettendorf and Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline , are the center of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, which, as of 2010, had an estimated population of...
, Rivermont Collegiate has served the community and its families as an alternative to public and parochial schools since 1884.
The Early Days
In 1910, the taxpayers of Davenport gave an observatory and telescope to the school but it burned to the ground in a fire.
Meanwhile, local industrialist Joseph Bettendorf was building his dream house, which later became the signature building of Rivermont Collegiate. Mr. Bettendorf, whose Bettendorf Company manufactured truck frames for railroad cars, helped draw the plans English Manor
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
style mansion on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. In 1915, he supervised construction of the mansion, complete with a sweeping terraced lawn overlooking the Mississippi.
Designed for entertaining railroad executives and community members, the house included a stained glass domed conservatory, formal dining room, parlor, music room, and billiard room. The second floor contained several bedrooms, a large sitting room and servant quarters. A ballroom was located on the third floor, and at one time two bowling alleys were located in the basement. The finest craftsmen were hired to work on the interior of the mansion, adding highly polished Italian marble, carved stone, molded plaster and beautifully hand-carved woodwork, doors, paneling and staircases throughout the home.
The Campus
Rivermont Collegiate's campus consists of six buildings:The Mansion - The former home of Joseph Bettendorf now houses the upper school
Upper school
Upper Schools tend to be schools within secondary education. Outside England, the term normally refers to a section of a larger school. There is some variation in the use of the term in England.-State Maintained Schools:...
and middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
as well as administrative offices. Despite being divided into classrooms and offices, the mansion retains much of its former glory.
Becherer/Central Hall - Rivermont's newest building houses the lower school and early childhood program as well as the auditorium and cafeteria.
The Annex/Wallace House currently houses the math and history departments and the Upper School office.
The Carriage House consists of the art and music departments.
The Gym serves as a basketball and volleyball court. The adjoining storage room serves as a health classroom and weight room.
The Painter Palace Formerly an art room, this small building is currently used for storage.