Admissions

International Student Information

A Boarding School for Young Men that Celebrates and Welcomes Diversity

Students from all corners of the world come to Riverside to achieve their full potential. Our corps represents 20 different countries and 24 U.S. states. Among our greatest strengths are:

The incredible diversity of our student population
Academic excellence combined with a military model of education
Camaraderie and teamwork
Excellence, leadership, and character development

We're Here to Help You

It’s our job and pleasure to help international families enroll here. Our goal is to make the process as simple as possible. Whether you’re new to the process entirely or plan to transfer in from another high school boarding school, we’re here to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad. Whatever the next step should be, we’ll help you find it.

The Riverside Family

When you become a part of the Riverside family, you become a member of a worldwide network of Brothers-In-Blue. For more than a century, Riverside has been a preparatory boarding school for boys, and we have made it our business to prepare students for success!

Contact Us Today

We are here to help you. There are several ways to learn more about Riverside:

Contact Marie Blansett at admissions@riversideprep.org. Marie can answer your questions related to Riverside or international admissions. She can also connect you with a current family with a similar background.
Schedule a private tour.
Register for an Open House experience.
Take a virtual facility tour or cadet-guided tour by clicking on either of the videos located on this page.

Apply today! Your son’s future begins now.

Additional Information

List of 5 items.

Academics

The class of 2023 received college acceptances from 82 college and universities and earned $5.8 million in non-HOPE scholarships. All students will receive support and guidance through the college admissions process. Riverside has an 8:1 student to teacher ratio. This means that small class sizes are available for all class options including general, honors, AP, and dual enrollment. Our teaching staff members are specially qualified to teach their subject matter, with at least 75% holding advanced degrees.

A preparatory school education comes with several unique advantages and opportunities. Riverside cadets learn the value of duty, respect, and responsibility while developing leadership and communication skills. Riverside students graduate miles ahead of their peers in terms of character and preparedness for college. The world needs ethical young men, and our boarding school has been producing them for more than 114 years!

Learn more about our academics.
Athletics

We offer a wide variety of sports teams and competitive athletic programs. NOTE: Our governing body for athletics is now GIAA, which means that international students are immediately eligible to play varsity sports.

Learn more about our athletics.
College Matriculation

Riverside graduates matriculate to a variety of colleges and universities, both in the US and abroad. 96% of our students attend 4-year universities, with the remainder either attending junior college, joining military service, our receiving a service academy appointment.
English Immersion

Riverside provides English language immersion throughout the student’s experience. We strive to pair an English speaking student with a non-English speaking student in the barracks (dorms) as roommates. Students will take all classes in English as well.

If a student requires English as a Second Language (ESL), we provide various levels of courses that are included in tuition. He will be tested upon enrollment to determine English proficiency which determines which level of ESL he is placed in. There is no additional cost associated with ESL.

If interested in a university in the U.S., international students are typically required to take the TOEFL in addition to the SAT or ACT. We offer preparations for each of these tests to ensure the student is ready for these assessments.
Medication

Riverside does not allow international medication to be distributed on our campus. Medication must be prescribed through U.S practicing and licensed physicians. With any questions, we encourage you to contact our Infirmary Medication Coordinator at infirmary@riversideprep.org

International Students' Frequently Asked Questions

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

What are the holidays and weekends like?

Riverside cadets can choose from a variety of on and off-campus weekend activities. On-campus activities include cook-outs, camping, kayaking, movies in the theatre, access to athletic facilities, and more. Off-campus activities include trips to restaurants, the Mall of Georgia, movie theaters, and professional sports games.

Riverside is conveniently located in the city of Gainesville, Georgia, and is a short drive from the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and downtown Atlanta.

Learn more about life as a cadet at our boarding school for boys.
Does Riverside offer ESL?

We offer an extensive ESL program. Students are tested on their English proficiency upon enrollment and placed within one of the program's levels according to their test results. English language support is offered for all coursework, and extra support is available when needed. There is no additional cost associated with ESL.
Does Riverside require TOEFL as an admissions requirement?

No, the TOEFL JR and SSAT are NOT required due to our extensive ESL program.
What do I need to know about the I-20/Visa Process?

Once the student has been accepted, the family must submit an enrollment deposit of $2,500. Once the deposit is received, Riverside will create the I-20 needed to apply for a visa and send via DHL.

Staff support is available throughout the entire American Visa process.