Riverview High School (Sarasota, Florida)

Riverview's old main building opened in 1958, and included a planetarium. The main building was designed by noted International Style architect Paul Rudolph, dean of the Yale School of Architecture. While Rudolph was later associated with the architectural style Brutalism, Riverview was in the International Style. It was one of the best-known structures associated with the Sarasota School of Architecture, sometimes referred to as Sarasota Modern.

The old cafeteria was located just behind the administration building, and opened onto this main courtyard

In 2006, Sarasota County approved spending an estimated $130 million on the reconstruction of the school, which would include demolition of the Rudolph building.[6] The new high school building would increase classroom space and bring the school's facilities up to date. The Rudolph structures would be replaced with a big parking lot.

The building's critics contended that Rudolph's roof design, which was intended to make runoff water resemble a "waterfall," caused water to pool dangerously in the hallways. School officials also asserted that mold was an ongoing problem.[7] Proponents for restoration of the buildings cited that inappropriate alterations to the original design had created some of the problems and that proper maintenance had been deferred as well, making the problems seem much greater, but that remedial action was feasible.

The demolition plans were opposed by historic preservationists, including the directors of the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, the directors of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, the founder of Friends of Seagate, and the president-elect of American Institute of Architects, Florida.[8]

Riverview High School was placed on the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation's list of the most endangered historic sites and was nominated for placement on the National Trust for Historic Preservation 2007 list of the America's Most Endangered Places. [9] It was also placed on the World Monuments Fund's 2008 List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the listing "Main Street Modern."

At a January 2007 Sarasota public meeting, Kafi Benz, the founder of Friends of Seagate asked Andres Duany to relate the prevailing international opinion regarding the demolition plans for Riverview High School. In what time would prove overstatement, he said that Sarasota's reputation as a leader in the arts would be destroyed, forever, if demolition of this significant structure were allowed.[10] In February 2007, and after pressure from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the school board agreed to consider new options in lieu of demolition.[11]

Details of the novel approach in the former building to handle environmental factors in subtropical Sarasota

Considering the international concern expressed about the cultural value of the buildings, as well as the actions of a local organization formed to advance alternative plans for the new development that would include restoration of the Rudolph structures and placing the parking lot intended to replace it under the athletic fields, on March 20, 2007 the school board announced that it would allow a year for consideration of implementation of alternative proposals. This followed a charrette conducted locally by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where the plan for relocating the parking lot was proposed.

The office of architect Carl Abbott, FAIA, who is considered a member of the Sarasota School of Architecture, released information about a co-operative effort by the Save Riverview Committee, the Florida Association of Architects, and the Sarasota Architectural Foundation, at which the documentary Site Specific: The History of Regional Modernism, by Susan Szenasy, editor in chief of Metropolis magazine, was previewed on March 24 at Burns Court Cinema in Sarasota. In the film, Szenasy explored the historic significance of Riverview High School and featured expressions of the concern of architects around the world compared with the designer of the new campus and a maintenance staff member at the school. The film was intended for a lecture tour of the United States by Szenasy, who planned to discuss the issues of historic preservation, community history, and the education of students.

On June 17, 2008, however, the school board voted three to two to raze Rudolph's structure, with members Frank Kovach, Caroline Zucker and Shirley Brown making the majority vote.[12] It was demolished in June 2009,[13] and the new school building opened in August of the same year.

In 2018, a Riverview High School senior made a racist promposal sign that was shared by his girlfriend and intended prom date on her social media with added heart-eyed emojis.

Noah Crowley and Isabella Vanilli, both students at Riverview High School were also alleged by students who know the couple to have previously used racist terminology and statements that they define as “jokes.” In fact, in his apology, Crowley said it was a “joke.” [14]

• Sharyl Attkisson – American television journalist
• David Baas – Former American football player (center) with the New York Giants.
• Bob Buchanan – Former professional baseball player (Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals).
• Todd Combs – Hedge fund manager who has been tapped as a potential successor of Warren Buffett as the chief investment officer of Berkshire Hathaway
• Joe Depastino – Former professional baseball player (New York Mets) and former minor league Manager of the West Michigan Whitecaps.
• Chris Hannon – Former American Football player (wide receiver).
• Karan Higdon – American football player[15]
• Mike Hiss – Racing car driver in the USAC Championship Car series, finishing 7th in the Indianapolis 500 in 1972, and winning the "rookie of the Year" title.
• David Howard – Former professional baseball player (Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals)and former minor league hitting coach.
• Todd Johnson – Former American football player (safety), current Riverview High School head football coach.
• Troy Mattes – Former professional baseball player (Montreal Expos) and former minor league pitching coach.
• Kyle Snyder – Former professional baseball player (Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox and current pitching coach of the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Davide Somma – Former Soccer player, with Leeds United.

• Official website
• Riverview High School IB Program
• Riverview High School Foundation webpage
• National AIA Resolution to Support Historic Preservation of Riverview High School