About Us
Providing Meaningful Education Since 1953
Riverview School’s mission is to continue its commitment to providing quality education to its children by enhancing their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development with a safe, supportive and nurturing environment
What we do
Riverview School has been operating continuously in Henderson, Kentucky since 1953 through the efforts of volunteers and support from the community. Riverview provides educational programs, respite care, and emotional support for preschool children having special needs and their families. The ultimate goal is to lead children toward their own sense of self-worth and independence by preparing them for classes within the public school system with quality educational and rehabilitative services.
Our Students come to Riverview through referrals, foster parent programs, and the court system. They suffer a broad range of physical or emotional problems, including kidney disease, schizophrenia, HIV, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, visual impairment, and hearing problems as well as children who have suffered abuse or neglect. No child is turned away from Riverview School because of inability to pay.
Riverview School is open year-round, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. The school is closed for two weeks during summer for summer break and two weeks at Christmas for winter break.
To guarantee success and assist families’ needs, Riverview participates in a number of government programs:
STARS Certified: STARS for KIDS NOW program is part of the KIDS NOW initiative (Kentucky Invests in Developing Success NOW)
State Food Program
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Who we are
Each member of our staff is dedicated to the success of the children in their care. To provide a safe environment for everyone, staff members are CDA (Child Development Associate) certified, First Aid certified and CPR Certified.
Where we’ve been
Riverview was founded in September 1953 by a group of parents and community members who were concerned about the lack of educational opportunities for children with disabilities. The head of this group was Alice Hancock, the first director of Riverview School. Alice was inspired to provide an educational opportunity to other children like her own, George Hancock, Jr. and did so for 40 years, until she retired in 1993.
Originally, Riverview School was located in a small building on the outskirts of Henderson. The school provided a basic education to children with developmental disabilities. Over the years, the school expanded its programs and services to meet the changing needs of its students. In the 1960s, Riverview School became one of the first schools in the state to offer occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy to its students. In the 1970s, the school underwent a major expansion, with the construction of a new building on the banks of the Ohio River. This new facility allowed Riverview School to offer a wider range of programs and services, but it has continued to maintain its focus on serving students with special needs. Today, Riverview provides a low-cost service to families through preschool curriculum, various therapies, and social-emotional skill-building.
Riverview School remains a vital resource for families and students in the Henderson area. Children from 6 weeks to school-age attend the school to ensure they are prepared to enter the public school system in Kindergarten. The “Little School That Could” provides a safe and supportive learning environment for students with a range of disabilities, and its dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our Brand
Our logo and branding symbolizes Riverview School’s rich history, our beloved students and the great city we call home.
The schoolhouse shape reflects the building we call home: one modeled after the traditional, storybook schoolhouse.
The wavy schoolhouse shapes represent the Ohio River – down the hill from our school – and the idea that all of the children with different needs and learning styles come together to form our school and make it such a special place.
Our color palette leans heavily on blues, evoking a sense of calm and safety, representative of what the school offers to parents and children. The shades of blue represent the river, and the others reflect the colors included on the disability pride flag: red for physical disabilities, gold for cognitive and intellectual disabilities, green for sensory disabilities, blue for psychiatric disabilities, and white for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Chris Johnston
President
Vivian Tomblin
Vice-President
Tori Marshall
Secretary
Paula Cassidy
Treasurer
Tiffany Sights
Tony Fanok
Ellen Redding
Pam Marshall
Cory Bridges
Emily Hamilton
Riverview Staff
Loretta Riddle
Director
Scott Stone
Classroom Supervisor/Preschool
Amanda Houston-Lefler
Preschool Room
Yasmine Jennette
Toddler Room
Bryanna Butler
Toddler Room
Crystal Gatten
Infant Room
Abbi Evans
Infant Room
Keisha Perkins
Cook
Adriana Oeth
Floater/Sub
We rely on community support to continue serving families in need.
A PayPal donation to Riverview directly supports the children we serve. Consider supporting our work in Henderson.