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
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher
5.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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River Valley Academy — Students at River Valley Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 5.3/10.
How River Valley Academy Compares
See how River Valley Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (616) 863-6324
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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