Business Spotlight: Rivendale Institute of Learning

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Kerri Duncan, owner and director of Rivendale Institute of Learning in Springfield, normally doesn't wear a T-shirt and shorts to work. For the past two weeks, however, Duncan and her staff have donned casual attire as they work to rearrange the school and create the space needed for several more classrooms, which will be put to good use after the students return from their break.|ret||ret||tab|

"We need every bit of space we have," said Duncan.|ret||ret||tab|

Founded in 1986, Rivendale initially had five students and one teacher who conducted classes out of a one-room office on East Battlefield Road. Today, the school occupies a 3,500-square-foot building at 1613 W. Elfindale Drive and serves as many as 30 students who range in age from 3 to 18.|ret||ret||tab|

Duncan first heard about Rivendale when she was the director of the Southwest Missouri Autism Project. A former special education teacher and principal for the school at Lakeland Regional Hospital, Duncan was all too familiar with the problems faced by parents of children with special educational needs, and she was intrigued by the idea of running her own school. |ret||ret||tab|

"I wanted to own Rivendale, and I told the owner, Becky Standley, if she ever decided to retire or sell to please give me a call," said Duncan.|ret||ret||tab|

Standley took her words to heart, and in June 2000 she sold Rivendale to Duncan. At the time, the school primarily focused on helping students with learning disabilities. Duncan, however, decided to expand the school's focus and began offering services and programs that help children with autism and pervasive developmental disorder, neurological disorders that affect a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others.|ret||ret||tab|

Rivendale, which is open year-round, adheres to a strict student-teacher ratio. In general education classrooms, there are never more than eight students per teacher. In classrooms with autistic students, there are never more than four students per teacher. Duncan believes the student-teacher ratio helps facilitate the learning process.|ret||ret||tab|

"Everything we do is geared toward students' needs and allows them to learn in an environment that emphasizes social, emotional, physical and intellectual development," she said.|ret||ret||tab|

Every student accepted at Rivendale is evaluated. An individualized curriculum then is developed, which takes into account a student's strengths and weaknesses.|ret||ret||tab|

Rivendale offers several specialized programs that help students learn and improve their social and behavioral skills. One program Verbal Behavior Therapy is used to teach children with autism, pervasive developmental disorders and related developmental disabilities. |ret||ret||tab|

The Applied Behavior Analysis using Discrete Trial Training program sees students perform a task repeatedly until it is mastered. The school also offers music therapy classes and a multi-sensory reading program was recently incorporated into the curriculum.|ret||ret||tab|

Rivendale, which is accredited through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is the only private school in southwest Missouri that offers these types of services, according to Duncan. |ret||ret||tab|

In fact, some students travel as far as 70 miles one way to attend the school. Rivendale also offers after-school tutoring to students with special needs, and Duncan and her staff do evaluations and provide consultation services.|ret||ret||tab|

Some parents hear out about Rivendale from a family member, friend or co-worker or through a therapist or counselor's recommendation. Private and public schools in the area also refer students, with public school systems picking up the tuition costs for the students they refer.|ret||ret||tab|

"It makes perfect sense," said Duncan. "Some small school districts simply don't have enough autistic or learning-disabled students to merit setting up a special program. It's much more cost effective for the school district, and better for the students, if the kids come here."|ret||ret||tab|

Rivendale also has its own scholarship program. Shortly before purchasing the school, Duncan established Rivendale Extension Services. This not-for-profit corporation helps families who need assistance funding their child's education. |ret||ret||tab|

In addition, RES has an endowment fund through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which provides scholarships that help pay for alternative education programs. Duncan recently secured $10,000 in donations for the foundation, which will be matched by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.|ret||ret||tab|

"Money from the scholarship program can be used at any institution, school or program of the families' choosing," said Duncan. "It doesn't have to be spent at Rivendale."|ret||ret||tab|

Duncan also is spearheading the "Legacy of Hope Fund," which will benefit Rivendale's students. The fund seeks to raise a minimum of $1 million by Dec. 2011 Rivendale's 25th anniversary. Money from the fund will be used for future expansion and renovation projects at the school and will help provide scholarships for students.|ret||ret||tab|

Duncan is working to recruit a new batch of students for the coming school year. |ret||ret||tab|

Although Rivendale is primarily known for the services it offers its autistic students, Duncan said she'd like to help more learning-disabled and developmentally disabled students.|ret||ret||tab|

Duncan also is gearing up for several area fundraisers. This August, Rivendale will hold a "Night at the Races" to raise funds for the coming school year. Also in the works are an auction to become a "DJ for a Day" at a local radio station, a benefit concert to aid the school's scholarship fund and a celebrity golf tournament, which is scheduled for 2004.|ret||ret||tab|

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