Rivergate Academy Growing With Kindergarten and Other Programs

By Michael Clarkson

In bright sunshine and with colourful balloons, FEIA’s Rivergate Academy took a significant step on Sept. 12 with the official opening of its kindergarten classes.

Although only two children have signed up for now, childcare manager Breanne Fillimchuk-Stewart is confident that the numbers will grow – as have statistics for Rivergate’s before and after school programs.

“The kindergarten will grow when people learn more about us, that we’re here,” she said. “Our other programs are doing really well.”

In the before and after school sessions, Rivergate takes care of the children who get bused to two local public schools, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School and Peace Bridge Public School. Rivergate’s after school program went from eight children last year to 17 this year while the before school program increased from four to 13 students.

“I think we’re doing good for the community,” says Rivergate teacher Kristina Langsford, who began with the childcare program when it began in 2022. “These kids are my life, now that mine are in college and university. “I love them – I’m devoting my life to them.”

(Kristina is shown in the accompanying photo with students Finley Bowman and Dallas Vandermeer.)

Rivergate hopes to have a seamless transition for young students with Grades 1-3 by 2027-28 and perhaps more grades in the future.

“Our vision for Rivergate Academy is much larger than childcare alone,” says FEIA founder and director Paul Liu. “Over the coming years, we will continue building it into one of Niagara’s leading private educational institutions, providing families with a pathway from early learning through to elementary education. Our long-term goal is to establish it as the local private school of choice for families across Niagara, offering exceptional programs from childcare through Grade 5, delivered with a caring, supportive and high-quality learning environment.”

While the community-based school is owned by FEIA, most of its children are locals from Niagara.

Interested parents should call Breanne at 289-476-0124.

Rivergate has its own website: www.rivergateacademy.ca