The Rivers School - Taking Steps to Prepare Students for College

An experienced real estate developer, Roy MacDowell is a principal at Baystone Development in Weston, Massachusetts. Roy MacDowell remains actively involved in his community and is a former president of the board of trustees of the Rivers School in Weston. 

One main focus of the Rivers School is college readiness, which includes starting the college search process early. In the winter of students' freshman year, counselors hold workshops that introduce students and their parents to the college search process and give them an idea of what to expect in the years ahead.

The major work begins in the junior year, which kicks off with a student and parent workshop that discusses how the school helps students find the best college for their goals. The junior year also has regular “Fireside Chats” during which families address their concerns with college admissions deans or directors. 

Additional workshops are available for students involved in athletics and those planning on campus visits. Also during the junior year, a private family meeting takes place in which students and their parents talk about their college goals and expectations.

Technology in the Classroom at The Rivers School

A veteran of the real estate development industry, Roy MacDowell is a principal with Baystone Development in Weston, Massachusetts. Deeply involved with the community, Roy MacDowell formerly served as president of the board of trustees for The Rivers School in Weston.

The Rivers School believes in the importance of teaching children innovation and exposing them early to new technologies. Students at the school are supported with laptops and iPads to participate fully in the classroom and complete assignments independently. In addition, teachers are always looking for unique ways to bring technology into the classroom.

For example, in English classes, students use the Animoto video app to create trailers for the books that they read and make engaging presentations. Meanwhile, a ceramics teacher uses the Google+ network to connect the class. Through the platform, students can post peer critiques and maintain digital portfolios of their accomplishments.

Even athletics at The Rivers School are enhanced by technology. The cross-country running coach uses a video app to record runners and analyze their form with them on a frame-by-frame basis so that they know exactly how to improve.

The Babson College Zero Waste Challenge

The founder and past president of the MacDowell Company, a construction and landscape design firm, Roy MacDowell is now the principal of Baystone Development. In addition to being a recipient of a Massachusetts Historical Commission award, Roy MacDowell is a former trustee of Babson College in Massachusetts.

As part of its efforts to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainability, Babson College has implemented a number of initiatives that challenge participants to live more environmentally-friendly lifestyles. Its annual Zero Waste Challenge, which tasks participants to produce as little waste as possible over the course of a week, is among these efforts.

During the week, participants must place every non-recyclable item of waste they produce into a clear bag while recycling or composting anything they can when they have the opportunity. This includes single-use water bottles and tissues but does not extend to other waste items containing bodily fluids. Participants must attach the bag to the outside of their person. The aim is to demonstrate the true weight of the waste each participant discards during an average week.

Supporting the Commercial Real Estate Industry - NAIOP

 

Roy MacDowell serves as a principal of Baystone Development, a real estate development company in Weston, Massachusetts. A committed real estate professional, Roy MacDowell is a trustee of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP).

Established in 1967 as the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association has more than 18,000 members throughout North America. Dedicated to the principles of diversity, research, advocacy, education, and networking, the association is open to anyone involved in the commercial real estate industry, from investors to owners. The key to the association’s long-term success is the NAIOP Research Foundation, which helps the industry respond to and fulfill the needs of its communities.

The NAIOP Research Foundation creates and supports experts in the field in two different ways. First, the foundation offers an annual research grant program. Open to proposals that fulfill each year’s research topics, the average grant ranges from $10,000 to $15,000.

Second, the NAIOP Research Foundation offers a Distinguished Fellows Program, which is open to commercial real estate industry members who have demonstrated extensive knowledge or experience. Fellows give presentations during NAIOP events, serve on committees, and write articles for NAIOP publications.

Roy S. MacDowell, Jr.

Roy S. MacDowell, Jr., manages the vision and strategic planning for Baystone Development. Roy is responsible for establishing the overall strategy of the firm and plays a central role in the evaluation of new opportunities, project management and execution. He is responsible for reviewing and approving all major decisions.

Roy has a 30+ year history of success in real estate investment, development and management, having personally developed and/or permitted more than 2 million square feet of commercial space, including more than 3,500 dwellings. He served as a Director on the board of Sterling Bank during a period when it grew from $250 million to over $1 billion in total assets before being sold to Fleet Bank. He is the founder of The MacDowell Company, Inc., a leading landscape architectural and construction firm.

Roy served as President of the Board of Trustees of The Rivers School in Weston, MA and as a Trustee of the Children’s Hospital Boston Trust Board. He also served as a Trustee at Babson College, where he studied as an undergraduate. Roy is a past member of the Board of the Massachusetts Chapter of NAIOP and an Overseer of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) New England. 

rmacdowell@baystonedevelopment.com