Signature Programs

The cyber security program at Riverside prepares graduates to enter college or the workforce with the requisite knowledge, skills, abilities, and attributes necessary to excel in multiple areas of computer science and information security. Riverside's partnerships with industry leaders provide the opportunity for students to experience the rigor of collegiate work and earn professionally recognized certifications.

Origins of the Program

The cyber security program at Riverside began with a conversation between two alumni with industry connections and the Academy’s leadership. Fortuitously, the Georgia Department of Education has established a series of career exploration pathways for high school students that are comprised of three courses, and cyber security is one such option, which facilitated adding the coursework to Riverside’s curriculum.

The cyber security pathway includes an opportunity for completing a CompTIA industry certificate, which enhances the market competitiveness of graduates. Completing this pathway provides graduates with advanced experience and potential Dual Enrollment credit prior to entering college. College graduates with
a bachelor’s degree are highly sought after and have an earning potential of $131,200, which is double the typical IT salary.

Program Outcomes

• The ‘militech’ environment of Riverside will produce graduates who are equipped for college across the curriculum, have experienced rigorous athletics, and have engaged in leadership roles based on JROTC leadership education.
• Graduates who complete the cyber security program at Riverside will demonstrate strength in problem-solving, communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to life-long learning.
• The development of computer forensics skills will be fostered by robust experiential learning and internships with industry partners.
• Graduates who complete the cyber security program will have the opportunity to earn industry certification prior to graduation.

Riverside's Aerospace Engineering Program opened fall of 2020. The program is led by Captain Lee Dickson, who served as an Army aviator for 10 years and is a commercial and instrument-rated pilot in helicopters and airplanes.

The program appeals to students who are curious about the design and flight of aircraft and spacecraft vehicles. The goal is to equip students with knowledge and skills to be successful in college and the global workforce. The program uses the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB) Advanced Career programs which combine college-ready academics with authentic, hands-on projects.


In the four-course curriculum, students will design, build, test, and analyze the science behind the forces and physical properties of planes, rockets, and unmanned vehicles. Each course lasts an academic year, and interested cadets ideally enter the program as freshmen and complete one course per year.