Average
#794 of 1,791 schools in MA
Top 44% in state
Riverdale
Elementary School · Dedham
143 Needham Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
6.5
Grades
1st – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dedham
#6 of 7
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#472 of 1,022
In district
#6 of 7
Dedham
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Riverdale
Riverdale is an elementary school located in Dedham, Massachusetts, a suburban area within Norfolk County. The school serves students from first through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 193 students with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 9.7:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. Riverdale employs 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to provide quality education.
Academically, the school's performance is in line with its MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and state ranking at #822 among 1796 schools in Massachusetts. The academic score stands at 5.9/10, indicating there is room for improvement but also potential for growth. Students perform around the average for their grade level, with 50% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 44% proficient or above in Math.
In Science, a slightly higher percentage of students—48%—are proficient or above. Riverdale is situated in a large suburban setting that offers a blend of community resources and green spaces. The school is well-integrated into the local Dedham neighborhood, providing students with a supportive environment for learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 193 students, Riverdale 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 9.7:1, Riverdale 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Riverdale — Students at Riverdale score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
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 60 test records from MA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How Riverdale Compares
See how Riverdale performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2022).
Location
143 Needham Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Riverdale may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Memorial Spaulding (rated 9.0/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Newton Centre), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lyndon K-8 School (rated 8.3/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby West Roxbury), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Edith C Baker (rated 8.2/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Chestnut Hill), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dedham, see our Dedham schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NOBLE AND GREENOUGH SCHOOL Dedham | 0.6 mi | 6.8 |
| CATHOLIC MEMORIAL West Roxbury | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Kilmer K-8 School West Roxbury | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| THE RASHI SCHOOL Dedham | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTEE DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| ST THERESA SCHOOL West Roxbury | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Lyndon K-8 School West Roxbury | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| URSULINE ACADEMY Dedham | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Beethoven Elementary School West Roxbury | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Early Childhood Center Dedham | 1.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Dedham Middle School Dedham | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Broadmeadow Needham | 1.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Dedham High Dedham | 1.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Avery Dedham | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Memorial Spaulding Newton Centre | 2.2 mi | 9.0 |
| DEDHAM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Dedham | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Ohrenberger School West Roxbury | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| HOLY NAME PARISH SCHOOL West Roxbury | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Edith C Baker Chestnut Hill | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02026 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,375
Median Home Value
$630,400
Median Rent
$2,058/mo
Population
25,109
College Educated
55.1%
Homeownership
72.7%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Median Age
43.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Riverdale has a median household income of $124,375. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $630,400, with a median rent of $2,058/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bridge Street Northampton, MA | 6.5 |
| Hatherly Elementary Scituate, MA | 6.5 |
| Kennedy-Longfellow Cambridge, MA | 6.5 |
| Lawrence W Pingree Weymouth, MA | 6.5 |
| PARK STREET SCHOOL Boston, MA | 6.5 |
| ST MICHAEL SCHOOL Fall River, MA | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Riverdale
What grades does Riverdale serve?
Riverdale serves students in grades 1st through 5th.
How many students attend Riverdale?
Riverdale has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverdale?
The student-teacher ratio at Riverdale is 9.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Riverdale rank in MA?
Riverdale is ranked #794 out of 1,791 schools in MA.
What is Riverdale's MySchoolScout rating?
Riverdale has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Riverdale?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverdale has 43.3% math proficiency and 50.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Riverdale a charter school?
No, Riverdale is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Riverdale a Title I school?
No, Riverdale is not currently a Title I school.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,597/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dedham). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 1st – 5th
- Enrollment
- 193
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Norfolk County
- Phone
- (781) 310-2000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dedham- District Enrollment
- 2,699
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,360
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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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