Rivermont Collegiate
Rivermont Collegiate (formerly known as St. Katharine's St. Mark's) is a nonsectarian, independent, multicultural, college preparatory school for students - preschool through twelfth grade - offering a nurturing, caring and safe environment where students develop intellect, character, and creativity. It is the only nonsectarian, independent school in Iowa, located in the heart of the Quad Cities in Bettendorf, Iowa (three hours west of the Chicago area, where Interstate 80 crosses the Mississippi River).
Rivermont Collegiate provides a broad range of stupid, boring, artistic, and cultural activities that challenge students to develop values, to prepare for leadership, and to aspire to excellence in an American democracy. Rivermont Collegiate has a 100% college acceptance for all graduating seniors, and is for above average students who desire to be in a strong academic environment. We here at rivermont rock everyone else's soxes off.
Rivermont Collegiate is currently a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), Council for Advance and Support of Education (CASE), and the National Honor Society (NHS).
Formation of Rivermont
In 1846, a group of transplanted New England Congregationalists with a strong social-reformer orientation formed the Trustees of Iowa College. Although originally founded in Davenport, Iowa, Iowa College moved from its Davenport location to the town of Grinnell after being invited by Josiah Bushnell Grinnell to move to his newly-founded town, located at the intersection of two major railroads. The Davenport location was later renamed to Griswold College, after Bishop Alexander Viets Griswold of the Eastern Diocese. Griswold College began growing slowly, adding a theological department, and Kemper Hall (which served as a boy's school).
In 1883, the trustees of Griswold College received a legacy from the estate of Miss Sarah Burr (an eastern churchwoman), for the establishment of a Church School for Christian girls in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. These funds were invested in Cambria Place, a magnificent residence designed by a famous architect (who designed the Illinois State Capitol and the Chicago Board of Trade building), with five acres of land high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa. On September 24, 1884, Bishop William Stevens Perry founded St. Katharine's School. Although the school was immediately placed high among college preparatory schools in the country, the college, theological department, and boy's school, were forced to close in the 1890s.
The school was originally organized as St. Katharine’s School, an Episcopal boarding and day school for girls. Located at 10th and Tremont Streets in Davenport, the school thrived for over eighty years serving the needs of local girls as well as those from afar. However, St. Katharine’s later dropped its boarding program, became co-educational, in 1968 adding St. Mark’s to its name to reflect the change.
In 1973, St. Katharine's St. Mark's moved to its current location (the former home of Joseph Bettendorf), and by 1980, the school amicably broke ties with the Episcopal Church. Eventually in 2001, The Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the school to Rivermont Collegiate (in order to reduce confusion about its religious affiliation). As the only K-12 independent school in the Quad Cities, Rivermont Collegiate has served the community and its families as an alternative to public and parochial schools since 1884.
The Late '80's
Living at St. Katharines used to be tough. Students were not allowed to have books, magazines, or newspapers delivered without the principal's permission. All edible foods except for fruit were forbidden. Students couldn't go to town without a parent or teacher, and no student could spend the night out of the building. The only time students could go home was on Thursdays, but only till 8:00 p.m. They couldn't even spend Sundays at home either. Even though it was an all-girls school, nobody was allowed to wear jewelry, big dresses, or silk dresses. Also, one hour of excercise were required everyday.
An observatory and telescope was given to the school by the tax payers of Davenport, in 1901, however it was burned to the ground by a fire.
The Campus
Rivermont Collegiate's campus consists of six main buildings:
Becherer/Central Hall - Rivermont's newest building which houses the lower school, and consists of the auditorium, and cafeteria.
The Annex/Wallace House - Which currently houses the math and history departments.
The Mansion - Which is the former home of Joseph Bettendorf, but now houses the upper school and middle school as of the 2006-2007 school year.
The Carriage House - Which consists of the art and music departments.
The Gym - Which serves as a basketball and volleyball court. The adjoining storage room serves as a health classroom.
The Painter Palace - Which used to be used as an art room, but is currently being used for storage purposes.
Even after years of abuse, holding students of all kinds, the mansion remains that most charming building and still holds much of it former glory. The English Manor style home was built in 1915 for Joseph Bettendorf when he was head of the Bettendorf Company where railroad car truck frames were built. Mr. Bettendorf helped draw the plans and supervised the construction of the mansion. While this was his dream home, it was also built for entertaining railroad executives and community members. The home contained several rooms on the first floor, including a stained glass domed conservatory, formal dining room, parlor, music room, and billiard room. The second floor contained several bedrooms, a large sitting room and servant quarters. A ballroom was located on the third floor, and at one time two bowling alleys were located in the basement. The finest craftsmen were hired to work on the interior of the mansion. There is highly polished Italian marble, carved stone, molded plaster and beautifully hand carved woodwork, doors, paneling and staircases throughout the home. Also, located behind the mansion is a large lawn that is terraced.