History

Charlotte Mason’s (1842-1923) method first came to the attention of Rodney Nelson, RiverTree’s founder, when his wife, Marybeth, insisted that he read For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. This book sparked an “a-ha!” moment for the Nelsons because they realized that it articulated the educational philosophy they had been searching for.

It soon became clear to the Nelsons that the only way for them to give to their children this kind of education was to do it themselves. However, since both felt that they were called to the educational mission of Christian schools, home-schooling their own children was, for them, only a temporary option. They decided, after prayer and consultation with friends, that what they needed to do was start a Charlotte Mason school. Thus, RiverTree School was born.

A few months later, Mr. Nelson was delighted to discover that there was an organization already in existence dedicated to developing schools committed to Charlotte Mason’s method. Ambleside Schools International is a small but growing network of schools that provides curriculum, consulting, and training to schools like RiverTree. RiverTree joined Ambleside in the spring of 2008.

The Nelsons reside in Maple Grove, MN, with their six children. Mrs. Nelson is an experienced teacher. She has made a study of the Charlotte Mason method and serves as an advisor and mentor to many parents in both education and parenting. Mr. Nelson is an experienced school administrator with degrees in Bible and Theology from Wheaton College.

The Nelsons are active members of Church of the Cross in Hopkins, MN.

Beliefs

We believe every child is born a person, created in God’s image. We believe every child deserves an education filled with the best ideas, one that broadens the mind and enriches the soul. We believe every child is hungry to know and eager to grow and that when presented with these opportunities will grasp them. We believe that every child is owed the respect his personhood demands.

Charlotte Mason famously described education as the “science of relationships.” By this she meant that children have relationships with many things: God, self, others, things, and ideas. It is not enough to know about them. In order for a child to be truly educated, a relationship with the person, thing or idea must form. The task of the teacher and the school, therefore, is to put the child in a position to have as many of these relationships as are beneficial.

You will find that we at RiverTree place our emphasis on these relationships. They lie at the core of our educational philosophy. Of course, no relationship is more important to a child than his or her relationship with the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. Allowing this relationship to develop is of highest importance to us. From morning assembly, in daily Bible times and weekly chapels and on throughout the day, life is lived at RiverTree in submission to the authority of God.

We further recognize that the authority exercised by the teacher in the classroom exists because the teachers themselves are under the authority and bound by certain obligations. There is no tyranny of personality here, no coercion or manipulation. Instead, there are teachers and students working together, under authority, to fulfill their respective duties and learn and grow as God intended. We expect that our teachers will approach their work, not as a technical skill, but rather as an opportunity for discipleship and relationship.