Skip to main content

Very Good

#641 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 20% in state

River City Scholars Charter Academy

Elementary School · River City Scholars Charter Academy

944 Evergreen Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Charter

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#641 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#29 of 126

public schools

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around River City Scholars Charter Academy?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

River City Scholars Charter Academy

7.5/10

Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dickinson Academy

4.4/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Alger Middle School

5.5/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About River City Scholars Charter Academy

River City Scholars Charter Academy is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of River City Scholars Charter Academy. River City Scholars Charter Academy serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. River City Scholars Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #641 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for River City Scholars Charter Academy show 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares1.4 pts above MI schools
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

River City Scholars Charter Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

55% of students at River City Scholars Charter Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-0.8 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,078
Chronic Absenteeism54.6%

River City Scholars Charter Academy — Students at River City Scholars Charter Academy score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 9.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 21.1% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2012
Math
7.5%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
9%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
10%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
8%
ELA
16%
2022
Math
8.2%
ELA
18.3%

* 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: 9.0/10.

How River City Scholars Charter Academy Compares

See how River City Scholars Charter Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in MI
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
9.0/10
Excellent
Environment
8.3/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.6%

Location

944 Evergreen Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River City Scholars Charter Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Congress Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 4.4
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.5
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.7
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN ELEM SCH-EVERGREEN CAMPUS Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 5.6
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.4
Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 6.8
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 6.7
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.2
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.6
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 4.6
Ottawa High Transition Grand Rapids 1.1 mi
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.7
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.0
Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 3.2
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 8.5
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 7.8
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 5.3
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 8.6
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 4.1
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,578

Median Home Value

$179,600

Median Rent

$1,114/mo

Population

39,389

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.3%

Median Age

29.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 7.5
Grandville South Elementary School Grandville, MI 7.5
Hoover School Lincoln Park, MI 7.5
Jamestown Upper Elementary School Hudsonville, MI 7.5
Lessenger Elementary School Madison Heights, MI 7.5
Oakwood Intermediate Allendale, MI 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River City Scholars Charter Academy

What grades does River City Scholars Charter Academy serve?

River City Scholars Charter Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend River City Scholars Charter Academy?

River City Scholars Charter Academy has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River City Scholars Charter Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at River City Scholars Charter Academy is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River City Scholars Charter Academy rank in MI?

River City Scholars Charter Academy ranks #641 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is River City Scholars Charter Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

River City Scholars Charter Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 River City Scholars Charter Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River City Scholars Charter Academy has 10% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 21% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

Is River City Scholars Charter Academy a charter school?

Yes, River City Scholars Charter Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is River City Scholars Charter Academy a Title I school?

No, River City Scholars Charter Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River City Scholars Charter Academy?

96.6% of students at River City Scholars Charter Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.6%

District

River City Scholars Charter Academy
District Enrollment
293
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,078
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.