“Rivendell was the perfect house, whether you liked food or story-telling or singing, 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
The name of our school comes from Tolkien’s series of fantasy novels, which starts with The Hobbit and continues with the trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. Rivendell was the “last homely house,” a place for elves and hobbits that was literally sacred, set apart and, therefore, holy. It was a stopping place, a temporary home with hallowed halls and an essentially creative and redemptive purpose.
Rivendell School’s vision settles comfortably within the spirit of Tolkien’s Rivendell home, and is reflected clearly in the following quotes taken from The Lord of the Rings:
a house of learning for active minds
“...always a bit more to discover, and not knowing what you’ll find around the corner...a fortress of wisdom, not weapons, and the unraveling of hard words...where much was said of the events of the world; where tales of the world were told; where one could find counsel for the perils of the world.”
a community of faith for tender spirits
“. . .the place where visions can be born, where fragile dreams can become reality, where battle plans can be laid for great battles ahead, and faith renewed in ultimate inevitable success.”
a company of friends for open hearts
“. . .but such was the virtue of the land of Rivendell that soon all fear and anxiety was lifted from their minds. Health and hope grew strong in them, and they were content with each good day as it came, taking pleasure in every meal, and in every word and song.”
Rivendell School exists, in its own unique way, as an exciting alternative to commonplace education. We aim to be a wholesome place, set apart for the dance of ideas and the romance of faith. Our earnest hope is that, in partnership with the parents involved, Rivendell can equip each student to become “an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)