Riverdale Country School has built a reputation for developing students who are not only strong academically but also compassionate, community-driven leaders. One way the school lives out this mission is through its ongoing partnership with the CAF school program. Together, Riverdale and CAF empower students to understand resilience, embrace inclusion, and take action in support of athletes with physical disabilities.

“At Riverdale, our mission focuses on developing our students’ minds, building character, and creating community. CAF is such a wonderful partner organization and the work they do is so reinforcing of our important aims in making our world more caring, more empathic, and more successful for everyone. We are proud to work with such an inspiring organization that helps our school and our world live up to our dreams.”
— Dominic A.A. Randolph, Head of School

CAF and Riverdale: A Partnership with Purpose

The CAF school program provides schools with resources, guest speakers, and activities that connect students to powerful stories of athletes with physical disabilities. Riverdale Country School has embraced this program as a chance to model inclusive education and show students that sport is more than competition — it is a way to build community, break barriers, and empower one another.

During the pandemic, when athletics shifted to remote learning, Riverdale invited CAF athletes to join team Zoom calls. These conversations gave students the opportunity to hear directly from athletes who had overcome adversity to compete at the highest levels of sport, reinforcing lessons of perseverance and resilience.

John Pizzi, Director of Athletics, explained, “CAF is an amazing organization and their athletes have been a great addition to our ongoing education of the student-athlete population at Riverdale. This past year, during remote athletics, we had some CAF athletes join our team Zoom calls. Our athletes were so amazed by the stories from the CAF athletes. Watching them play their sport was simply empowering. We are looking forward to the continued partnership with CAF and our teams.”

Riverdale in Action

Riverdale’s connection to the CAF school program comes to life in a variety of ways throughout the school year:

CAF Guest Speakers
Each year, Riverdale hosts assemblies where CAF athletes share their personal journeys. These stories highlight resilience, determination, and the transformative power of sport. Students not only listen — they engage, ask questions, and reflect on what it means to overcome barriers.

Inclusive Workouts
On Riverdale’s annual Community Action Day, CAF plays an integral role. Students and faculty participate in workouts designed to emphasize inclusion and teamwork. By training alongside athletes of all abilities, students experience firsthand the importance of accessibility in sports and the strength of community.

Volunteers in Action
The partnership also extends beyond school grounds. Riverdale students and faculty volunteer at CAF events, camps, and clinics. For example, members of the Riverdale community have supported CAF’s Montana Fly Fishing & Water Adventure Camp, where athletes of all ages come together to build skills, confidence, and friendships. These volunteer opportunities allow students to see the direct impact of their time and energy.

The Broader Impact of the CAF School Program

The Riverdale–CAF partnership reflects the goals of the CAF school program, which was designed to connect students across the country with stories and experiences that foster empathy, leadership, and inclusion. By participating in assemblies, classroom projects, and service initiatives, students gain a deeper appreciation for what inclusive education looks like in action.

Riverdale students are not only learning about athletes with physical disabilities — they are applying these lessons to their own lives. They are learning to lead with compassion, value teamwork, and find strength in supporting others.

Empowering the Next Generation

Riverdale Country School’s work with the CAF school program demonstrates how schools can move beyond academics to prepare students for lives of character and action. By engaging directly with CAF athletes, Riverdale students gain tools to be leaders who recognize that sport has the power to change lives.

Through assemblies, inclusive workouts, and volunteer opportunities, Riverdale empowers students to be part of a broader movement of acceptance and belonging. The partnership shows how schools can create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and motivated to make an impact.

Want to learn how your school can get involved with CAF?

Schools across the country are joining CAF to bring lessons of resilience, inclusion, and community into the classroom. By inviting CAF athletes to share their stories, organizing service projects, or creating fundraising initiatives, your students can learn firsthand how sport has the power to break barriers and build empathy. Explore how your school can take part in the CAF School Program and create opportunities that empower every student to see what’s possible.