Melinda Willis, Founder and Director of Rivers Academy
The vision of Rivers Academy evolved when, as a teacher in a private school, parents faced with the challenge of an elite athlete so involved with their sport but disengaged in school approached me. How could they fill the gaps of a traditional school model or current home school model into their child’s performance, practice and travel schedules? While researching for the answer, I was not able to find an existing program or available home school curriculum to address the needs of these families and these niche kids. Therefore, I came up with the concept of Rivers Academy to address the education needs for those families with kids, whether athletes, performing artists or currently home schooled, who are motivated and focused and are looking for an effective and efficient academic program. Our goal is to enhance your families experience as you enter the world of preferred education.

Each day at Rivers Academy, my notion that all children can exceed expectations and be happy when given a loving, safe environment is validated.

Finally, I could not have created Rivers without the dedication of amazing teachers and supportive parents willing to be trailblazers as we redefine education. I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.

Trent Byrde

In the National/Regional tennis tournament at Racquet Club of the South on October 29th, Trent Bryde was Champion in Singles and Finalist in Doubles.

In the Mobile Bullfrog tennis tournament on November 4th Trent Bryde was Champion in Singles and Doubles

Congratulations Trent!

Tiger Greene

Tiger Greene an 8th grader at Rivers Academy in Alpharetta, Ga. has signed a book deal with Harper Collins to Publish his book "Through The Eyes of a Tiger" due out in stores in May.

Tiger has appeared world wide on CNN and Headline News as well as The Dr. Oz and Anderson Cooper 360 shows and most local media in promoting his foundation Team Tiger he established to help kids all over the world have healthier and more active lifestyles.

His efforts to fight Childhood Obesity have been recognized by everyone from The First Lady to the NFL where he was recently honored before the November 27th Falcons game. His next "Sacking Obesity" camp will be held at The Georgia Dome April 21st. You can help him with his mission and read more at the Team Tiger website.

Wendi Hiller

Wendi Hiller is a freshman at Rivers Academy where she has attended school since January, 2009. She loves the flexible schedule at Rivers which allows her to pursue her passion of figure skating. Wendi began skating at the age of 3 1/2 and began competing a year later.

By the time she was 8, she became a South Atlantic Regional Champion. She competes representing the Atlanta Figure Skating Club (AFSC) in both freestyle skating and solo ice dancing. In 2011, she earned the prestigious award for having passed the most tests of any skater in the AFSC including the Gold Medal Senior Moves in the Field test.

Abby Janis

Abby Janis loves the theatre. She was recently awarded the "All Star Cast Award" at the GA Theatre Conference for her participation with her Rivers Academy troupe for the one act play competition.

Abby spends a lot of her time at RISPA (Renaissance School of the Performing Arts). She has performed in RISPA's productions of "FAME," "Dear Edwina," and "Godspell." In addition to participating in RISPA's productions, she is a member of their Senior Voice and Acting Companies and also takes jazz, funk, ballet and musical theatre dance classes. This past summer – Abby also worked at RISPA as a camp counselor.

In addition to her RISPA involvement, she has also performed the role of "Sharpay" in High School Musical and "Mrs. Potts" in Beauty & the Beast under the production of MZStageWorks. Abby has also been involved with Act3 Productions' Improv Group.

At Rivers Academy, Abby is a sophomore and enjoys being with her teachers and friends. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is looking forward to getting even more involved with the opportunities that Rivers Academy has to offer.

Emerson Steele

Emerson Steele has a passion for performing and as a student of Rivers Academy, has been blessed with the opportunity this year to further expand her training and performance.

Emerson began singing in church when she was five and sang her first solo there in a Christmas musical when she was just six years old. Even then, Emerson was seemingly fearless performing in front of people. She simply had an ease in front of an audience. She continued singing in church and added summer camps in musical theater, playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and even playing Miss Hannigan in a Let's Pretend production of Annie. She began taking dance at RISPA when she was almost nine. That winter, Emerson auditioned for the Fox Theater's production of Annie and was asked to be one the of the youth ensemble orphans.

This past summer, she was one of eight Atlanta girls who made the Fox's Fiddler on the Roof youth ensemble. She also played the role of Kelli last Spring in RISPA's production of Dear Edwina. Emerson has worked in Annette Tanner's Broadway Dreams Foundation summer intensives the past two summers, training with Broadway professionals. It was through that organization that Emerson was put on tape to audition last June for the Broadway revival of Annie. As a result of that audition, in November of this year, Emerson was called back to New York for a private audition. She made it through the entire audition process and received a phone call a few days later asking her to come back again this spring as they are considering her for the role of Duffy or Pepper--one of the older orphans in Annie.

In the meantime, Emerson continues to train. She takes tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, voice company and musical theater dance at RISPA. She takes ballet at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. She spends 13 hours a week in dance classes and takes dance workshops whenever they are offered. She also takes private voice and piano weekly.

On January 4th, Emerson will begin daily rehearsals for the Fox Theater's production of Annie. She is playing the role of Duffy and is Annie's understudy, roles she won in auditions held in early November at The Fox.