Average
#1207 of 1,793 schools in MA
Riverdale
Elementary School · Dedham
143 Needham Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
1st – 5th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
9.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
1st – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Massachusetts schools
#1,207 of 1,793
In Dedham
#7 of 7
public schools
In district
#7 of 7
Dedham
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Riverdale
Elementary School in Dedham · grades 1st – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Noble and Greenough School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Catholic Memorial
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Riverdale
Riverdale is a public elementary school in Dedham, MA, part of Dedham. Riverdale serves approximately 193 students, and covers grades 1st-5th, and has a 9.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Riverdale has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,207 of 1,793 schools in MA.
Structured state assessment records for Riverdale show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 7.0
- MA avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
At 193 students, Riverdale is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 9.7:1 students to teachers, Riverdale sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Riverdale — Students at Riverdale score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Test Scores MA MCAS (2024-25)
Based on 82 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: 4.1/10.
How Riverdale Compares
See how Riverdale performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 9.5/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Newton Centre), which scores notably higher. Another option is Broadmeadow (rated 8.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Needham), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lyndon K-8 School (rated 8.1/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby West Roxbury), 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 | 6.8 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| URSULINE ACADEMY Dedham | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL Newton | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Beethoven Elementary School West Roxbury | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Early Childhood Center Dedham | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Dedham Middle School Dedham | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Broadmeadow Needham | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Dedham High Dedham | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Avery Dedham | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Memorial Spaulding Newton Centre | 2.2 mi | 9.5 |
| DEDHAM COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Dedham | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Ohrenberger School West Roxbury | 1.7 mi | 6.2 |
| HOLY NAME PARISH SCHOOL West Roxbury | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Edith C Baker Chestnut Hill | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lowell, MA | 5.4 |
| Cutler School South Hamilton, MA | 5.4 |
| Northfield Elementary Northfield, MA | 5.4 |
| ST MARY OF THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL Danvers, MA | 5.4 |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL Melrose, MA | 5.4 |
| Falls North Attleborough, MA | 5.5 |
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 ranks #1,207 of 1,793 schools in MA.
What is Riverdale's MySchoolScout rating?
Riverdale has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Riverdale?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Riverdale has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 8.3%
- Phone
- (781) 310-2000
Resources & Links
District
Dedham- District Enrollment
- 2,699
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $27,360
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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