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Average

#1811 of 3,190 schools in MI

River Valley Academy

High School · Rockford Public Schools

350 NORTH MAIN ST, Rockford, MI 49341

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

5.7:1

Score

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rockford

#10 of 13

public schools

Michigan high schools

#395 of 812

In district

#11 of 14

Rockford Public Schools

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About River Valley Academy

River Valley Academy serves 40 high school students in grades 9-12 as an alternative school in Rockford, Michigan. With just 7 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, allowing for highly individualized attention and support. Despite being an alternative school, River Valley Academy demonstrates remarkable academic success, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #188 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile among Michigan high schools.

This strong performance reflects the school's ability to effectively serve students who may need a different educational approach than traditional high schools provide. The small enrollment creates an intimate learning environment where students can receive personalized instruction and build close relationships with their teachers. The school's alternative designation suggests it serves students who benefit from specialized programming, whether due to academic challenges, behavioral needs, or other circumstances that make traditional schooling less suitable.

River Valley Academy is situated in Rockford, a prosperous Kent County community where the median household income reaches $107,117 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school serves this large suburban area known for its strong educational values and family-oriented atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 40 students, River Valley Academy 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, River Valley Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.3Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-16.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,128

River Valley Academy — Students at River Valley Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
10%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How River Valley Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in MI
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

350 NORTH MAIN ST, Rockford, MI 49341

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Valley Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rockford High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northview Next Learning Center (rated 5.3/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Rockford, see our Rockford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Parkside Elementary School Rockford 0.1 mi 7.2
Valley View Elementary School Rockford 0.5 mi 8.8
North Rockford Middle School Rockford 0.7 mi 7.8
Meadow Ridge Elementary School Rockford 1.6 mi 7.0
Rockford HS Freshman Center Rockford 2.4 mi 4.3
Rockford High School Rockford 2.5 mi 6.1
Rockford Spanish Immersion Rockford 2.5 mi 7.7
Roguewood Elementary School Rockford 2.5 mi 8.1
Crestwood Elementary School Rockford 3.4 mi 8.6
ROCKFORD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rockford 3.6 mi 6.7
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL Belmont 4.2 mi 5.5
Belmont Elementary School Belmont 4.5 mi 7.6
Northview Next Learning Center Grand Rapids 5.1 mi 5.3
Cedar Springs Middle School Cedar Springs 5.5 mi 5.6
Chandler Woods Charter Academy Belmont 4.4 mi 7.7
Highlands School Grand Rapids 5.8 mi 4.9
Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs 6.1 mi 7.3
Cedar View Elementary School Cedar Springs 6.1 mi 5.8
Beach Elementary School Cedar Springs 6.3 mi 5.4
Red Hawk Intermediate Cedar Springs 6.4 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,932

Median Home Value

$347,700

Median Rent

$1,251/mo

Population

39,680

College Educated

49.4%

Homeownership

90.5%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

3.7%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding River Valley Academy has a median household income of $112,932. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $347,700, with a median rent of $1,251/month. The local poverty rate of 3.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Volinia Outcome Base School Marcellus, MI 6.1
Holton Virtual Academy Holton, MI 6.0
Oxford Bridges High School Oxford, MI 6.0
Quest High School North Branch, MI 6.0
Adrian Community High School Adrian, MI 5.9
Ashley High School Ashley, MI 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Valley Academy

What grades does River Valley Academy serve?

River Valley Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend River Valley Academy?

River Valley Academy has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Valley Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at River Valley Academy is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Valley Academy rank in MI?

River Valley Academy is ranked #1811 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is River Valley Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

River Valley Academy has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Valley Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Valley Academy has 17.5% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Valley Academy a charter school?

No, River Valley Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is River Valley Academy a Title I school?

No, River Valley Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Valley Academy?

52.5% of students at River Valley 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
Elevated (922/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rockford Public Schools
District Enrollment
7,644
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,821
District Rank
#11 of 14

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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