Very Good
#489 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 27% in state
River Valley Charter School
Elementary School · River Valley Charter (District)
2 Perry Way, Newburyport, MA 01950
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newburyport
#4 of 5
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#302 of 1,022
Academic performance
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About River Valley Charter School
River Valley Charter School is a public charter school located in Newburyport, Massachusetts, serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 288 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The school’s teachers are committed to providing a supportive learning environment that encourages curiosity and critical thinking.
River Valley Charter School stands out with its strong performance in science, where 62% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards. While the school's overall MySchoolScout rating is 6.3/10 and it ranks 65th percentile among Massachusetts schools, there is room for improvement in ELA and math proficiency rates at 58% and 48%, respectively. River Valley Charter School is situated in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to both urban amenities and natural settings.
This setting provides a balanced environment that supports holistic development while fostering community engagement and exploration.
What Parents Should Know
River Valley Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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River Valley Charter School — Students at River Valley Charter School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 108 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.4/10.
How River Valley Charter School Compares
See how River Valley Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
2 Perry Way, Newburyport, MA 01950
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Valley Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Newbury Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Newbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dr John C Page School (rated 8.2/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby West Newbury), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Edward G. Molin Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Newburyport, see our Newburyport schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rupert A Nock Middle Newburyport | 0.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Edward G. Molin Elementary School Newburyport | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Newburyport High Newburyport | 0.4 mi | 7.3 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION NEWBURYPORT Newburyport | 0.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Francis T Bresnahan Elementary Newburyport | 1.0 mi | 5.3 |
| NEWBURYPORT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Newburyport | 0.8 mi | — |
| Newbury Elementary Newbury | 1.4 mi | 8.8 |
| SPARHAWK SCHOOL INC Amesbury | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Salisbury Elementary Salisbury | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Amesbury Middle Amesbury | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Amesbury Innovation High School Amesbury | 4.2 mi | 4.8 |
| SOLSTICE SCHOOL Rowley | 4.8 mi | — |
| AMESBURY MONTESSORI Amesbury | 4.2 mi | — |
| Triton Regional Middle School Byfield | 4.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Triton Regional High School Byfield | 4.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Amesbury High Amesbury | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Dr John C Page School West Newbury | 3.8 mi | 8.2 |
| THE CHILDRENS CASTLE West Newbury | 4.0 mi | — |
| Charles C Cashman Elementary Amesbury | 4.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Shay Elementary Amesbury | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 01950 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$144,259
Median Home Value
$792,400
Median Rent
$1,511/mo
Population
18,444
College Educated
65.9%
Homeownership
76.2%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
47.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding River Valley Charter School has a median household income of $144,259. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $792,400, with a median rent of $1,511/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Calvin Coolidge School Shrewsbury, MA | 7.2 |
| Col John Robinson Westford, MA | 7.2 |
| East Boston Early Education Center East Boston, MA | 7.2 |
| Goddard School/Science Technical Worcester, MA | 7.2 |
| Granite Valley School Monson, MA | 7.2 |
| Horace Mann Melrose, MA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River Valley Charter School
What grades does River Valley Charter School serve?
River Valley Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend River Valley Charter School?
River Valley Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Valley Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at River Valley Charter School is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does River Valley Charter School rank in MA?
River Valley Charter School is ranked #489 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is River Valley Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
River Valley Charter School has a composite rating of 7.2 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.
What are the test scores at River Valley Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Valley Charter School has 46.2% math proficiency and 58.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is River Valley Charter School a charter school?
Yes, River Valley Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is River Valley Charter School a Title I school?
No, River Valley Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Newburyport). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 288
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Essex County
- Phone
- (978) 465-0065
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
River Valley Charter (District)- District Enrollment
- 288
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,538
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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