Rivendell School was founded in 1976 by Bob and Terry Wentsch. The seven original families developed Rivendell as a private non-profit and loosely modeled it after the British Infant School philosophy. From the beginning, Rivendell provided an alternative to the public school system with an emphasis on multi-age groups and individualized instruction. Over 35 years later, their vision continues.
Along with Bob and Terry, Carol McLean was instrumental in nurturing both generations of children and the Rivendell philosophy. She joined the school as the third teacher in 1977 and continued to teach until her retirement in 2006. When the Wentsch’s left in 1993, Kate Duncan became the second administrator in the school’s history. Today, the staff of 22 classroom teachers, specials teachers and office staff continue the tradition of individualized instruction and proudly have a place in the community as the oldest secular independent elementary school in Northern Colorado.
Starting humbly in a rented house in Fort Collins, Rivendell leased space from Trinity Lutheran Church from 1980 until 2000 when the school found its present location at 1800 East Prospect Road. Converting a former utilities warehouse into a schoolhouse is an ongoing but extremely satisfying adventure. Having a permanent home has increased Rivendell’s ability to help hundreds of children begin the journey of realizing their personal potentials and becoming well-educated, imaginative, civil, responsible, and contributing citizens.
After almost four decades, Rivendell School still holds a significant place among the schools in this and surrounding communities. History has proven, through the successes of hundreds of alumni, that providing a place for children to grow, thrive and fall in love with school has a lasting effect.
“Rivendell is the perfect house, whether you like food or story-telling, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear and sadness.” —J.R.R.Tolkien
