Announcing “Rivermont Collegiate Day”

A Quad Cities Institution Celebrates 140 Years

Bettendorf, IA — Rivermont Collegiate, one of Iowa’s top private K-12 schools, is gearing up to commemorate a remarkable milestone in its history — 140 years of excellence in education. To mark this momentous occasion, the Mayor of Bettendorf, Robert Gallagher, has officially declared Tuesday, September 24, 2024, as “Rivermont Collegiate Day.” In a special ceremony held at the School on Friday, March 29, the mayor presented Max Roach, the Headmaster of Rivermont Collegiate, with the key to the city, recognizing the School’s longstanding commitment to providing a quality educational experience to Quad Cities families.

The School has been called the best-kept secret in the Quad Cities. Now ranked among the top 7% of schools in the United States, Rivermont Collegiate attracts students from nearly thirty Midwestern zip codes, not to mention France, Spain, Germany, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Vietnam, Japan, Morrocco and many more! “Expanding our global footprint is a win/win,” says Roach. “Rivermont now provides a fundamentally unique and elevated school experience and cultivates global citizens, all while bringing bright students from all over the world to the Quad Cities. We hope this will springboard into another 140 years of empowering academically driven students by cultivating Intellect, Character, and Creativity.”

Also in attendance on March 29 was Jane (Bettendorf) Vieth, the granddaughter of Joseph W. Bettendorf and a St. Katharine’s School graduate. “Jane has a unique perspective on the school’s impact within the Quad Cities Community,” remarked Roach. “In addition to being a graduate of our class of 1950, she is the last remaining Bettendorf who grew up in the Joseph Bettendorf mansion — which we now lovingly care for as our flagship school building.” Colloquially referred to as “The Mansion,” there is a capital campaign underway that, when complete, will rename the building Saint Katharine’s Hall at the Bettendorf Mansion.

Founded in 1884, Rivermont Collegiate was initially organized as St. Katharine’s School (SKS), an Episcopal boarding and day school for girls. Located in Davenport, Iowa, the School thrived for over eighty years, serving the needs of local girls and those from afar. In 1968, St. Katharine’s dropped its boarding program, became co-educational, and added St. Mark’s to its name. With the addition of boys, the mission of the School changed, as did the flavor of the school atmosphere and culture.

In 1973, St. Katharine’s-St. Mark’s (SKSM) moved to its present location, formerly the home of Joseph W. Bettendorf. In 1980, the School amicably broke ties with the Episcopal Church, and In 2001, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the School to Rivermont Collegiate.

In 2017, Rivermont Collegiate made headlines again by reintroducing its boarding program, catering to domestic and international students. This move reaffirmed the School’s dedication to providing a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience for students of all backgrounds.

As the only Preschool through 12th Grade college preparatory school in the Quad Cities, Rivermont Collegiate has played an integral role in shaping the minds and futures of countless students and has remained steadfast in its dedication to excellence for over a century.
“Our 140th anniversary is not just a celebration of the past, but a testament to our enduring commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement,” says Roach. “We are immensely proud of our rich history and look forward to continuing to inspire and empower generations of students for years to come.”

The festivities planned for Rivermont’s anniversary year will include events and activities to bring together alumni, current students, faculty, staff, and community members to celebrate its remarkable journey over the past 140 years.

For more information about Rivermont Collegiate and its 140th-anniversary celebrations, please visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or contact Drew Boster, Development Director at Rivermont Collegiate, at 563-370-2654.