Welcome to the exciting journey of our school! As the Executive Director of Riverside Leadership Academy, I am thrilled to share our vision and progress with you. RLA is a free, public charter school that is built on the foundation of growth—both for our scholars and for the entire community.

Our first year of operation has been a significant milestone, as we began serving scholars in grades K-7 for the 2024-2025 school year. In just a few short years, our commitment to expanding educational opportunities for Craven and the surrounding counties will lead us to offer grades K-12 by 2029. This growth is a testament to the dedication of our entire team, the support of our families, and the enthusiasm of our incredible scholars.

Next year, we are excited to open the doors of our brand new K-8 facility for the 2025-2026 school year. This beautiful space will allow us to enhance the learning experiences of our scholars and create a more vibrant, innovative environment where each student is empowered to reach their full potential. We are not just preparing for the future academically, but also for the continued development of our scholars as confident, capable communicators and critical thinkers.

At the heart of our school is a unique approach to teaching and learning—one that is rooted in project-based learning (PBL). In our classrooms, our scholars don't just learn concepts from lectures and textbooks; they engage with real-world challenges and projects that help them connect their education to the world around them. From Kindergarten, our scholars begin the process of presenting their learning to others, building confidence, and honing their communication skills year after year. This helps prepare them for the complexities of tomorrow's world, where collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking are essential.

We also believe in developing the whole child. That’s why our school incorporates a comprehensive Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program, Responsive Classroom. By integrating SEL into our daily practices, we ensure that our scholars are not only becoming academic achievers, but also compassionate, resilient, and emotionally intelligent individuals. Our scholars’ social-emotional well-being is just as important as their intellectual growth, and we are committed to fostering an environment where they can thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

As we continue to grow and evolve, our mission remains the same: to provide an innovative, supportive, and holistic education that prepares our scholars for success in all aspects of life. We are excited for the journey ahead, and we are so grateful to our families, staff, and community for their ongoing support.

Thank you for being a part of our story. Together, we are shaping the future!

Warm regards,
Siobhan Brewer
Executive Director