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Average

#1172 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 37% 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

6.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#5 of 15

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#686 of 1,602

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About River City Scholars Charter Academy

River City Scholars Charter Academy serves 293 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This charter school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 39th out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile for Michigan elementary schools, with a strong 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with 27 full-time equivalent teachers providing instruction at a 10.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many traditional public schools.

This smaller class size structure supports the school's academic success and creates opportunities for teachers to work closely with each student. Located on Evergreen Street in the 49507 zip code area, River City Scholars Charter Academy operates within a diverse Grand Rapids neighborhood where the median household income is $52,887 and median home value reaches $161,000. The surrounding community includes families from various economic backgrounds, with 25% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while 26.8% of the population lives below the poverty line.

The school sits in Grand Rapids' mid-size city environment, providing students access to urban resources while maintaining a focused educational atmosphere that has clearly contributed to its exceptional statewide performance ranking.

What Parents Should Know

River City Scholars Charter Academy 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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency7.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18.6%
Math vs. State Avg-34.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.3 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,853

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: 14%).

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 8.6%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
12%
ELA
21%
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: 6.9/10.

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
6.8/10
63th percentile in MI
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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. Congress Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 8.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 4.8
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.5
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 5.7
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN ELEM SCH-EVERGREEN CAMPUS Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 5.6
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 6.4
Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 5.0
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.5
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.4
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.3
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 4.8
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 3.0
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 9.3
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 8.4
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 4.5
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding River City Scholars Charter Academy has a median household income of $56,578. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,600, with a median rent of $1,114/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
ANN ARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ann Arbor, MI 6.8
Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 6.8
Bad Axe Middle School Bad Axe, MI 6.8
Cooke STEM Academy Detroit, MI 6.8
Discovery Creative Pathways Redford Redford, MI 6.8
Forest Grove Elementary School Hudsonville, MI 6.8

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 is ranked #1172 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

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

River City Scholars Charter Academy has a composite rating of 6.8 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 City Scholars Charter Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River City Scholars Charter Academy has 8.6% math proficiency and 18.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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 methodology

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