Below Average
#2979 of 3,190 schools in MI
River School
Elementary School · Sodus Township S/D #5
4439 RIVER RD, Sodus, MI 49126
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan elementary schools
#1,501 of 1,602
About River School
River School is a regular public elementary school located in Sodus, Michigan, nestled in a rural area near the town. Serving kindergarten through eighth grade, River School has an enrollment of 60 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 with three full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it at #2365 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, ranking in the 26th percentile statewide.
Academically, River School has a score of 4.2/10 and shows areas where students are focusing on development with 38% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 27% proficient or above in Math across all grade levels. Despite these challenges, the school community is dedicated to supporting its students' growth and success. River School sits in a peaceful rural setting, providing a close-knit environment for learning and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 60 students, River School 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.
Located in a rural area, River School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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River School — Students at River School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 16 test records from MI 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: 2.9/10.
How River School Compares
See how River School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 32.89% (2022).
Location
4439 RIVER RD, Sodus, MI 49126
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Benton Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hollywood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Saint Joseph), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sodus, see our Sodus schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clarke School Saint Joseph | 2.5 mi | 3.1 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 2.7 mi | 5.5 |
| BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 3.4 mi | 8.8 |
| Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor | 3.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville | 3.3 mi | 8.6 |
| Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph | 3.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School Benton Harbor | 3.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Upton Middle School Saint Joseph | 4.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor | 5.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor | 5.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor | 5.4 mi | 7.6 |
| GRIGGS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Berrien Springs | 5.8 mi | 3.4 |
| RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor | 5.5 mi | 6.7 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 4.7 mi | 7.6 |
| ANDREWS ACADEMY Berrien Springs | 5.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville | 4.9 mi | 7.4 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville | 4.9 mi | 6.6 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Berrien Springs | 6.3 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49126 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,813
Median Home Value
$162,500
Median Rent
$738/mo
Population
1,633
College Educated
16.7%
Homeownership
82.2%
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding River School has a median household income of $77,813. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,500, with a median rent of $738/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MONROE CATHOLIC ES - ST. MICHAEL CAMPUS Monroe, MI | 4.2 |
| CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pigeon, MI | 4.3 |
| Pittsfield Acres Academy Ypsilanti, MI | 4.3 |
| EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids, MI | 4.0 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven, MI | 4.0 |
| NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era, MI | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River School
What grades does River School serve?
River School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend River School?
River School has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River School?
The student-teacher ratio at River School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does River School rank in MI?
River School is ranked #2979 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is River School's MySchoolScout rating?
River School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, River School has 27.4% math proficiency and 38.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is River School a charter school?
No, River School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River School a Title I school?
No, River School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River School?
83.3% of students at River School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (378/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 60
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 925-6757
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sodus Township S/D #5- District Enrollment
- 60
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,092
- 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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