Riverhead Charter School

Opponents of Riverhead Charter School’s plan to build a new high school on Sound Avenue turned out in force for a rally outside Riverhead Town Hall prior to the Town Board meeting Tuesday night, despite the charter school’s announcement Tuesday morning that it had decided to abandon the plan.

The Riverhead Charter School is withdrawing its bid to buy the Sound Avenue acreage after stiff opposition and intense debate, including “direct attacks on our students,” affected charter school students’ “psychological safety,” according to Riverhead Charter School Board President David Edwards. The board’s “resolve to find a new space” for its growing school “stands firm,” he said.

"Due to the direct attacks on our students, which have threatened their psychological safety, we are making the tough decision to withdraw our bid on Potato Acres."

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Town Board meeting room Wednesday night to voice opinions opinion for and against the Riverhead Charter School’s plans for a new high school on Sound Avenue in Northville. 

Riverhead Charter School Superintendent Raymond Ankrum spoke at the Greater Jamesport Civic Association's meeting, held via Zoom Saturday, to discuss the charter school's plans for a proposed new high school on Sound Avenue.

Some residents have started to organize against a plan by the Riverhead Charter School to build a new high school in Northville, which can only happen if the Riverhead Town Board grants a necessary special permit. 

A Calverton teen was arrested late last night after making a threat on social media against the Riverhead Charter High School, Riverhead Town Police said in a press release this morning.

The Riverhead Charter School is purchasing 71-acres of property in Northville, setting the stage for the construction of a new high school building and athletic fields, according to the school’s superintendent.

Riverhead Charter School third-graders made pinwheels for display outside the school as part of the international Pinwheels for Peace project.

Riverhead Charter School gained approval from the NYS Board of Regents Monday to expand to grade 12. The school also had its enrollment limit increased from 850 to 1,244 students over the next five school years.