Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside Magnet School is a magnet elementary school serving the educational needs of Connecticut preschool through grade 5 students. With fully certified teachers, low student-to-adult ratios, a state-of-the-art building, and abundant technology and creative materials, we offer an inviting and inspiring environment for all learners.

As a magnet school, Riverside offers several benefits including:

• Academic success that prepares students for a lifetime of academic achievement
• Diverse student body that encourages respect, empathy, and collaboration
• Family and community involvement that instills a passion for learning and growth
• Flexible and innovative curriculum centered around a unifying theme

The world-famous Reggio Emilia approach encompasses our purposeful and reflective practices that empower students to reach their full potential by:

• Developing effective relationships with peers and adults
• Encouraging student voice and choice in all areas of learning
• Having all adults serve as facilitators of learning
• Providing students with multiple opportunities to be creative and represent their learning

We are a preschool through grade 5 magnet elementary school. We have established a pathway preference into Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University (grades 6 − 12) to provide a continuum in the magnet school system for RMS students. This provides the potential for a complete educational experience for your child, from preschool through grade 12. Pathway school preferences are not a guarantee of placement.

Any student residing in the state of Connecticut and eligible to attend the local public school is eligible to attend RMS.

Students interested in attending RMS must go through a lottery process conducted by the State Department of Education’s
Regional School Choice Office (RSCO). Families must submit a lottery application online during the lottery application period.
The RSCO lottery application period for the 2021-22 school year has closed. 
The random lottery will begin in the spring. Please visit here for more information on the lottery process and how to apply.

Bus transportation is provided for all students in kindergarten through grade 5 who reside in the Greater Hartford Regional Transportation Zone. Preschool students residing in Hartford are also afforded transportation.

Families living outside the Zone have the choice of transporting their child to the closest existing bus stop within the Zone or providing their own transportation to and from school. A stipend is available to families who reside outside of the Transportation Zone and choose to drive their student for the school year and is based upon attendance at the end of the year. For additional information, call the RSCO transportation line at 860.524.4077 or visit our Transportation Options page.

As a public school located in East Hartford, we follow the East Hartford Public Schools calendar and are closed during holidays
and vacations. However, we do offer a tuition-based summer program.

Pre-K 3 and pre-k 4 (children ages 3 and 4) will be grouped together in classrooms. All other students are separated by grade.

The responsibility for holding planning and placement team (PPT) meetings belongs to the district where the student lives. The inter-district magnet school is responsible for ensuring that the student receives the services required by the student’s individualized education program (IEP), whether those services are provided by the inter-district magnet school or by the school district in which the student resides. For more information, contact the Bureau of Special Education via telephone at 860.713.6910.

Families and the surrounding community play an essential role in our school. Families are recognized as children’s first teachers, and we support them in being active and engaged co-responsible partners in the learning process. We have a newly formed parent/teacher organization, Riverside Community Council, that meets on a regular basis.

Each classroom will have between 18-21 students depending on grade level with a low student-to-adult ratio. We have a fully certified teaching staff supplemented by highly trained paraprofessionals and curriculum specialists.

Rest-time is part of the preschool daily schedule.

Breakfast and lunch can be purchased daily. Free and/or reduced meals are available to those families who qualify.

If your child is not potty trained, we will work with you and your child on a potty training plan.

As required by the State of Connecticut, we charge a tuition fee for preschool students only. For families whose income is above 75% of the State Median Income, tuition for the 2020-2021 school year for newly enrolled preschoolers will be $4,000 for the first preschool student and $500 for the first preschool sibling. New families will not be charged more than $4,500 for preschool tuition for the 2020-2021 school year. Families whose income is at or below 75% of the state median income will not be required to pay a tuition fee. Verifying documentation will be required. 

View all forms and parent resources here!

A current physical exam is required.

A dental exam (teeth and gums) is necessary (can be done by physician or dentist).

Immunization Records: If an immunization is not indicated for either medical or religious reasons, this must be indicated in writing. A doctor must document the medical exclusion.

Required Forms

• Early Childhood Health Assessment Record Form
• Health Assessment Record Form