Riverside Preparatory Academy is a private, college preparatory, boarding and day school for boys in grades 6 through 12 in Gainesville, Georgia, United States.
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History
The school was founded as Riverside Military Academy in 1907 by local professors and businessmen Heywood Jefferson Pearce and Azor Warner Van Hoose with the mission of preparing ethical young men for success in college and life. Riverside opened its doors in fall 1908. It gained some prominence after 1913, when a young professor from Stone Mountain, Georgia, Edgar Dunlap "Sandy" Beaver (later a general) became the director of the school's Academics and Military Department.
Riverside opened a winter campus in Hollywood, Florida, in 1931. It was briefly used as a Naval Air Gunners School during World War II. It was sold in 1984.
The Gainesville campus underwent renovations from 1997 until 2004, adding a barracks building, academics building, gymnasium, and a library and performing arts center.
In 2022, the school rebranded as Riverside Preparatory Academy to emphasize its rigorous academic program, while still holding on to a modified military mission.
Robert Brittain Daniel, a lawyer, is the current president.
Awards
Riverside Preparatory Academy won "Best Band" by virtual appearance in the Atlanta Veteran's Day Parade in 2020.
Riverside Preparatory Academy's Army JROTC Raiders Team has won national championships.
Riverside Preparatory Academy won its 10th consecutive Atlanta Veterans Day "Presidents' Trophy" in 2019.
The Riverside Preparatory Academy Track & Field team was crowned 2018 GHSA state champions.
Notable alumni
Félix Arturo González Canto, governor of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo (1986)
James Earl Carter Sr., father of U.S. President Jimmy Carter (Attended 1911)
Tyler Carter, former clean vocalist of the metalcore bands Woe, Is Me and Issues
Khalid Duke, college football defensive end for the Kansas State Wildcats
CeeLo Green (Thomas DeCarlo Callaway), singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor
Bobby Greenwood, professional golfer (Attended 1957)
David L. McDonald, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations during the Vietnam War (1924)
Victor Miguel Pacheco Mendez, President of AraJet
Victor Oscar Pacheco Mendez, CEO of Grupo VOPM; founder of Panacrédito
Arturo "Chico" O'Farrill, composer, arranger, and conductor (1938)
Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus), American rapper part of rapper group, Migos (Attended 2008)
Patrick O'Neal, actor
George P. Oslin, inventor of the singing telegram (1913)
Luis M. Proenza, university president (1962)
Tommy Prothro, football coach (1938)