Very Good
#11 of 46 private schools in DC
Top 22% of private schools
River School
Elementary School
4880 MACARTHUR BLVD NW, Washington, DC 20007
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 217 schools in Washington. Learn more
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
4.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
4.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Washington
#11 of 45
public schools
District of Columbia elementary schools
#6 of 22
About River School
River School is a small public elementary school located in Washington, D.C., serving students from pre-kindergarten through third grade. With an enrollment of 85 students and a student-teacher ratio of 4.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The school has 21 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment for young learners.
River School's MySchoolScout rating of 2.0 out of 10 suggests there is room for academic growth and improvement, but the school continues to focus on student development and community engagement. Despite not having specific test score data available, the school aims to support its students in various ways beyond standardized assessments. River School is situated in a bustling city setting within Washington, D.C., offering students access to diverse cultural and educational resources.
The school's location provides unique opportunities for field trips, partnerships with local organizations, and a rich community involvement experience.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 85 students, River School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.1:1, River School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, River School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $115,133
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $162,066
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.41x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 66%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $26.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 85 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow River School compares to 157 public schools serving similar grades in Washington, DC
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| River School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Key ES | 8.7 |
| Stoddert ES | 7.3 |
| Mann ES | 7.8 |
| Hyde-Addison ES | 8.0 |
| Eaton ES | 7.6 |
| Hearst ES | 9.3 |
| Oyster-Adams Bilingual School | 7.8 |
| Janney ES | 8.7 |
| Murch ES | 6.9 |
| Thaddeus Stevens Early Learning Center | 6.8 |
| Marie Reed ES | 6.9 |
| Ross ES | 7.2 |
| H.D. Cooke ES | 3.5 |
| Bancroft ES | 5.7 |
| AppleTree Early Learning Center PCS - Columbia Heights | 7.4 |
| Meridian PCS | 7.0 |
| Lafayette ES | 7.3 |
| Garrison ES | 7.5 |
| Tubman ES | 6.8 |
| Thomson ES | 8.9 |
Showing 20 of 157 schools. View all schools in Washington
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in DC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in DC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
4880 MACARTHUR BLVD NW, Washington, DC 20007
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Key ES (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Arlington Science Focus School (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Arlington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mann ES (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Washington, see our Washington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL Washington | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| ST PATRICK'S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Key ES Washington | 0.6 mi | 8.7 |
| THE FIELD SCHOOL Washington | 0.6 mi | 6.3 |
| ST PATRICKS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Washington | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Mann ES Washington | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Taylor Elementary Arlington | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Stoddert ES Washington | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Dorothy Hamm Middle Arlington | 1.4 mi | 9.4 |
| ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Washington | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| ST AGNES SCHOOL Arlington | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Innovation Elementary Arlington | 1.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Duke Ellington School of the Arts Washington | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Arlington Science Focus School Arlington | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Washington | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Hardy MS Washington | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| GEORGETOWN VISITATION PREPARATORY SCHOOL Washington | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| BRITISH INT'L SCHL WASHINGTON Washington | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL Washington | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| SIDWELL FRIENDS SCHOOL Washington | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 20007 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$142,783
Median Home Value
$1,202,900
Median Rent
$2,066/mo
Population
23,696
College Educated
86.9%
Homeownership
57.4%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
8%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding River School has a median household income of $142,783. It is a well-educated community where 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,202,900, with a median rent of $2,066/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| I Dream PCS Washington, DC | 7.8 |
| AIDAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL Washington, DC | 8.1 |
| CHRISTIAN FAMILY MONTESSORI Washington, DC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River School
What grades does River School serve?
River School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.
How many students attend River School?
River School has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River School?
The student-teacher ratio at River School is 4.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does River School rank in DC?
River School is ranked #11 out of 46 private schools in DC.
What is River School's MySchoolScout rating?
River School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is River School a private school?
Yes, River School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is River School a religious school?
No, River School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 73 Very Walkable
- Transit Score
- 30 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 55 Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,514/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Washington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 3rd
- Enrollment
- 85
- Gender Split
- 76% M / 24% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.4 hours
- Days Per Year
- 171 days
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
- Phone
- (202) 337-3554
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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