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Average

#1940 of 3,192 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

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,940 of 3,192

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River School

5.9/10

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

Clarke School

5.5/10

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

Grace Lutheran School

5.5/10

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

About River School

River School is a public elementary school in Sodus, MI, part of Sodus Township S/D #5. River School serves approximately 60 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. River School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,940 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for River School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MI schools
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 60 students, River School 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.

River School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)23% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,092
Chronic Absenteeism18.3%

River School — Students at River School score 29% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
33.9% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 38 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84.5%
ELA
74.5%
2010
Math
84.5%
ELA
84.5%
2011
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2014
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2017
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2018
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2020*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
34.6%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How River School Compares

See how River School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
39th percentile in MI
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
5.5/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
83%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

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 8.2/10, 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 5.5
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 5.1
Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville 3.3 mi 8.2
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 3.4 mi 6.0
Countryside Academy MiddleHigh School Benton Harbor 3.9 mi 5.5
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 4.5 mi 2.3
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 4.0 mi 7.8
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 5.4 mi 2.5
Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor 5.4 mi 5.3
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 5.4 mi 8.5
GRIGGS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Berrien Springs 5.8 mi 3.8
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 5.5 mi 5.6
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 5.5 mi 5.7
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 7.9
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ludington, MI 5.9
HEBREW DAY SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR Ann Arbor, MI 5.9
MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S HOUSE OF LENAWEE Adrian, MI 5.9
ST ANN SCHOOL Cadillac, MI 5.9
ST IGNATIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rogers City, MI 5.9
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Haven, MI 5.9

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 ranks #1,940 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is River School's MySchoolScout rating?

River School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.3%

District

Sodus Township S/D #5
District Enrollment
60
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,092
District Rank
#1 of 1

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