Principal's Page

Mr. Charlton

Welcome to Riverdale Elementary, where everyone is part of a “Royal Family.” Riverdale Elementary has earned the “Five Star School” distinction from the Florida Department of Education for community involvement and the “Golden School Award” for an outstanding school volunteer program. Our school and community are proud to be part of the award winning Orange County Public School district; the 10
th largest school district in the nation and the recipient of the 2015 Broad Scholarship for “Best Urban School District in the US”. Riverdale Elementary is a nationally accredited school within a nationally accredited district as determined by nationally recognized Advanced Ed.

Our students are true royalty and the Riverdale Elementary school philosophy of developing the whole child ensures successful, well-rounded, thoughtful graduates. This starts in the classroom where our Riverdale students have access to the latest technology including upgraded student computers and touch capable smartboards for all classrooms. In addition to the variety of clubs offered for enrichment, student activities also include participation in a school newspaper, science and STEM competitions and a talent show. Riverdale Royals earn an early appreciation for the arts with field trips to the ballet and symphony. Our students have also created and implemented service projects such as “Socktober” (collecting new or great condition socks to donate to the needy) and starting a Riverdale food pantry. Did I mention that in the most recent “Battle of the Books” reading competition, Riverdale was one of the highest-achieving team in the East Learning Community? Our students are on the right track to life-long academic achievement and success.

It goes without saying that our Royal Teachers are the backbone of Riverdale Elementary. We are blessed to possess so many dedicated teachers who have taught at Riverdale for years, who live in the community and who have their own children attend Riverdale Elementary. Nearly half our classroom teachers have Masters Degrees and several are National Board Certified. Our teachers are not only highly professional and hard-working, but many spend extra time before and after the school day tutoring our students. With impressive degrees from the nation’s finest universities, Riverdale teachers are amazing ambassadors, modeling daily the importance of a college and continuing education. We have a staff full of life-long learners.

Students at Riverdale receive the benefit of many powerful programs designed to provide the very best results. Many school clubs have been added to complement our after-school tutoring program. Our popular Accelerated Reader program features new added incentives and goal system. Gifted program screening procedures at Riverdale are being used as a model for other OCPS schools.  Positive Behavior Support and Royal Roundtable (student mentoring program) have helped promote high achievement and positive student behaviors. And as an asset to our Royal families, we offer Extended Day program in both the morning and afternoon.

Speaking of our Royal families, the family support and turnout we receive at family nights, dances, Reading, Math and Science Nights, spirit nights and our PTA events is outstanding. This sentiment also extends to the invaluable support that Riverdale receives from the local community including our Partners In Education program with companies such as Flippers Pizza, CMA (Martial Arts), and Planet Smoothie. We also boast a strong partnership with University of Central Florida interns and volunteers who earn credit hours by reading to our students. And we have to mention Read 2 Succeed, an OCPS Foundation supported program where even more volunteers come in and read.

I consider myself so lucky to work with the students and staff of this amazing school. It is not usually my manner to boast or brag, but when it comes to everyone involved that I just mentioned, they deserve all the praise and accolades I can provide. I hope all principals in OCPS are as lucky as I am and have their own, impressive royal family!

William A. Charlton
Principal