Rigor, belonging, and a fuller day
The whole student
City River is built on a simple conviction: a strong education should prepare young people to think well, live well, and take responsibility for the people and places around them.
01
Academic Excellence
Students read challenging texts, solve difficult problems, explain their thinking, and revise their work. College preparation at City River is not only about covering material. It is about building the habits and confidence to meet complexity with curiosity and persistence.
02
Artistic Expression
Daily artistic practice is for every student, not only those who already see themselves as artists. Students explore art forms in their first two years, then choose a pathway, share work in annual showcases, and build a portfolio by graduation.
03
Maintaining Healthy Bodies
Daily movement, healthy breakfast, and scratch-cooked lunch are part of the educational model—not extras around it. Students build strength, energy, and a lasting understanding of how food, movement, rest, and well-being support a full life.
04
Sense of Self and Community
Character grows through everyday choices, shared responsibility, reflection, and honest conversation. As a Facing History & Ourselves high school, City River will help students understand their identities, learn from people with different backgrounds and life experiences, and contribute to the community they are building together.
The 8-to-5 Renaissance model
City River uses time differently. The longer day creates room for demanding academic work, creative practice, movement, meals, relationships, and the support students need to finish well.
8:00 AM
The day starts with movement, including team sports, fitness, and informal play-to-learn options.
Core day
Rigorous classes, the arts, Spanish, movement, and community experiences rotate through a balanced daily rhythm.
Built in
Teachers, tutoring, and structured work time are available while students are still at school—not after they are on their own at home.
5:00 PM
Students leave having had time to complete the day’s work, move their bodies, create, and participate in school life.
A balanced school day
City River’s planned 8:00 AM–5:00 PM day brings academics, the arts, Spanish, movement, tutoring, and community into school hours, with time and support designed to help students finish work before heading home.
Questions families ask
Time to practice, revise, ask questions, and get help is built into the day. Teachers can see where a student is stuck and respond before the student leaves campus. The goal is not less challenging work. It is better-supported work completed during a longer, more intentional school day.
No. The Renaissance model balances intellectual work with movement, the arts, meals, relationships, and reflection. Changing modes throughout the day helps students stay engaged and recognizes that healthy bodies and creative practice support strong minds.
Students learn best when they are nourished, active, and able to focus. City River plans to provide a healthy breakfast and scratch-cooked lunch each day. Morning movement begins at 8:00 AM, with options including volleyball, basketball, soccer, yoga, dance, strength training, and informal play-to-learn groups. These are part of how students learn to care for their bodies over time.
Character is developed through the choices students make each day: how they respond to difficulty, participate in a community, repair harm, reflect, and engage with people whose experiences differ from their own. City River’s partnership with Facing History & Ourselves will help weave identity, history, ethics, and civic responsibility into school life.
City River intends to bring together students across race, gender, income, religion, and neighborhood. Students should learn alongside peers who share parts of their experience and peers who do not, deepening their understanding of themselves, Cleveland, and the wider world.
Families can join Prospective Families, attend a community conversation or admissions event, and email Admissions@CityRiverHS.org with questions. These conversations also help the founding team understand what matters most to Cleveland families.
Opening fall 2027 • Prospective Families
Admissions information will be available October 15. Join Prospective Families for application timelines, admissions events, and opportunities to meet the City River community.