Rivermont Collegiate Loses Accreditation After Single Complaint, Board Pursues Appeal

Private school in Bettendorf receives notice of accreditation termination from ISACS

Rivermont Collegiate School has lost its accreditation after receiving a letter from its accreditation body. The school confirmed that the notice arrived Tuesday evening. The letter terminated the school membership and accreditation.

The board stated the termination came from a single complaint. The school remains fully operational. Students will receive grades, transcripts and diplomas as expected. The school is pursuing appeals and legal remedies.

School maintains Cognia accreditation while ISACS membership ends

While the school determines the future of its ISACS accreditation, it still maintains Cognia accreditation. Rivermont Collegiate operates in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Greg Schermer is a member of Rivermont's board of trustees. He told News 8 that the school received notice this week from the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. The organization uses the acronym ISACS.

Schermer said the action followed a complaint filed by two individuals concerning a proposed policy. The board called the proposal a neutrality policy. The school initially released the policy and there was a hoopla over it. The board later withdrew the policy and is currently taking feedback from parents and faculty.

Schermer said there is no existing policy right now. The board has not decided whether the policy will ultimately be implemented.

Board disputes accusations of overreach

Rivermont leaders were not given notice before the accreditation action was taken. Schermer said the school learned of the decision directly from ISACS earlier this week.

The board found out about ISACS on Tuesday. The board received communication directly from the organization. There was no notice or discussion with the board of directors.

Schermer said the board is currently reviewing all options. These options include an injunction, litigation, pursuing an appeal within their own appeals process, or other alternatives.

The board was not advised of their process. The board only received the conclusion.

Graduates will still receive diplomas

In a letter sent Wednesday to families, the Rivermont board said the school remains operational. Students will continue receiving grades, transcripts and diplomas as expected.

Schermer emphasized that current seniors will still graduate on schedule. Since graduation is in two weeks, the percentage of education under accreditation is 99 percent.

Schermer is trying to convey to parents that the education students received does not evaporate under accreditation suspension.

He said there are students who do not understand the situation and perhaps worry. Generally speaking, colleges require merely a qualifying diploma. All seniors will be receiving this diploma.

School retains legal counsel

Asked about concerns raised by some parents, Schermer said some community members involved in the complaints do not appear supportive of the institution.

Schermer could not speculate as to their motives. He believes some agitated parents participated in filing the complaint. These parents do not appear supportive of the school in general.

School leaders plan to continue communicating with families as the situation develops. The board will continue releasing information in FAQs.

The board wants parents of children to be fully informed. The community and public must receive information.

Schermer said the board is also balancing transparency with the possibility of legal action. There are matters in which the school may not want to comment.

ISACS reconsidered decision to delay final ruling

Schermer also stressed that Rivermont remains accredited under another organization. As of Friday afternoon, Rivermont is still listed as accredited on ISACS's website.

Rivermont is currently accredited through Cognia. The school's registry confirms this status.

In an update to the story, Schermer and the board say ISACS notified them that they reconsidered their decision. The organization will now delay any final decision until June 30.

Schermer said graduates who graduate on May 29 will graduate from an accredited high school. He expressed delight that graduates do not have to worry about a technical and bureaucratic issue.

The school received a wonderful education. The accreditation delay protects the graduating class.

Sources

• KWQC - Rivermont Collegiate loses accreditation after single complaint - https://www.kwqc.com/2026/05/15/rivermont-collegiate-loses-accreditation-after-single-complaint/
• WQAD - Rivermont Collegiate appealing potential suspension of ISACS accreditation - https://www.wqad.com/article/news/education/rivermont-collegiate-accreditation-appeal-revoke-gone-isacs-cognia-bettendorf-school/526-4d7e445f-e51f-4234-9543-1161d186ba14