Riverwalk Academy has been selected as a national finalist for the Founder’s Award from the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), placing the Rock Hill charter school among five schools nationwide recognized for exceptional efforts to support educators and improve student outcomes. Riverwalk is one of the few charter schools nationwide to earn finalist recognition in the history of the prestigious award.
As a finalist, Riverwalk Academy has received a $10,000 award and is now under consideration for the $50,000 national grand prize, which will be announced at NIET's national conference in New Orleans on April 1, 2026.
The Founder’s Award, established by education philanthropist Lowell Milken, honors schools that demonstrate outstanding implementation of NIET’s principles to strengthen teaching and learning.
At Riverwalk Academy, those principles are reflected in a culture focused on continuous improvement, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence, values that align with the school's motto, “Pride in Every Step.”
Strengthening Teaching to Improve Student Outcomes
Riverwalk Academy serves nearly 800 students in grades K–12 and has built a strong instructional model centered on teacher leadership, professional learning communities, and coaching aligned to the NIET Teaching and Learning Standards Rubric.
This work has translated into measurable academic gains for students. Between 2023 and 2025:
Elementary English Language Arts scores increased eight percentage points, outperforming the state average.
The percentage of high school students earning a “C” or higher on the English End-of-Course exam rose from 60% in 2023 to 76% in 2025.
Algebra End-of-Course results improved by 18 percentage points.
In 2025, Riverwalk Academy's high school earned an “Excellent” rating and achieved a 100% graduation rate, demonstrating the impact of strong instruction across the K–12 campus.
Investing in Teacher Leadership
A defining feature of Riverwalk’s approach is the emphasis on developing teachers as leaders. Over time, teachers have taken on roles as mentors, PLC leaders, and instructional leaders while continuing to work directly with students.
These leaders facilitate professional learning communities, support colleagues with instructional strategies, and help maintain a consistent vision of high-quality instruction across grade levels.
Riverwalk's investment in teacher development has also helped foster a strong culture for educators. The school currently maintains a 95% teacher retention rate, reflecting an environment where teachers feel valued and supported in their work.
A Community Effort
Riverwalk Academy Head of School Dr. Robert Compton said the recognition reflects the dedication of the entire school community.
“This recognition from NIET reflects the hard work of our teachers, instructional leaders, staff, and students who are committed to growing every day,” said Compton. “At Riverwalk, we believe in Pride in Every Step—creating the conditions where great teaching thrives, and every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Riverwalk joins four fellow finalists from Arizona, Indiana, and Louisiana in contention for the grand prize, which will be announced at the NIET National Conference in New Orleans on April 1, 2026.
As one of the rare charter schools ever to reach this stage of the competition, Riverwalk’s selection reflects years of work building a school where great teaching and teacher leadership lead to better outcomes for every student.