Best Schools in Riverdale, Illinois
7 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle
Choosing a school in Riverdale?
Use this page to compare every school in Riverdale by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Washington Junior High
Middle · Dolton Sd 148. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Washington Elem School
Elementary · Dolton Sd 148. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Riverdale School
Elementary · Dolton Sd 148. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Riverdale for 2026 are Washington Junior High (6.9/10), Washington Elem School (5.5/10), and Riverdale School (5.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$123,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
5 public · 2 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$123,800
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Riverdale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Junior High | 6.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Washington Elem School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Riverdale School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Gen George Patton Elem School | 4.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Park Elementary School | 4.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $37,648
- Median home value
- $123,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 36 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 41%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Riverdale compares
Illinois rank
#341 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$38k
46% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Riverdale, Illinois
Riverdale, Illinois is home to 7 schools, including 5 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school.
With an average rating of 5.4 out of 10, schools in Riverdale show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Riverdale is Washington Junior High with a composite score of 6.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Riverdale is served by 2 school districts: Dolton SD 148, Gen George Patton SD 133. These districts collectively serve 2,268 students.
Riverdale's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $37,648. The poverty rate in the area is 34.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 295 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.5 | ||
| 2 | 131 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.1 | ||
| 3 | 210 students · Pre-K–8th | 4.7 | ||
| 4 | 200 students · Kindergarten–6th | 4.6 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Mariah's Learning Center
Private
10 students · Kindergarten–Kindergarten | — | ||
| 2 | Under Carrey's Care #1
Private
24 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 124 students · 7th–8th | 6.9 |
Schools in Riverdale
Riverdale, Illinois · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$37,648
Median Home Value
$123,800
Median Rent
$1,044/mo
Population
24,887
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
41%
Avg Commute
36 min
Poverty Rate
34.1%
Community Profile
Riverdale has a median household income of $37,648. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,800, with a median rent of $1,044/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Riverdale, Illinois
How many schools are in Riverdale, Illinois?
Riverdale has 7 schools, including 5 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Riverdale, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Riverdale is 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Riverdale, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Riverdale on MySchoolScout is Washington Junior High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Riverdale, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Riverdale on MySchoolScout is Washington Elem School with a composite score of 5.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Riverdale, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Riverdale on MySchoolScout is Washington Junior High with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Riverdale, Illinois?
Riverdale is served by 2 school districts: Dolton Sd 148, Gen George Patton Sd 133.
What is the education level in Riverdale, Illinois?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Riverdale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Riverdale, Illinois?
The median household income in Riverdale is approximately $37,648 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Riverdale, Illinois?
Yes, Riverdale has 2 private schools alongside 5 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Riverdale, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Riverdale is 12.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Riverdale, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.