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Average

#1579 of 2,648 schools in NC

River Bend Middle

Middle School · Wake County Schools

5601 Wallace Martin Way, Raleigh, NC 27616

Enrollment

989

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,579 of 2,648

In Raleigh

#66 of 98

public schools

In district

#143 of 194

Wake County Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Excellent

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River Bend Middle

5.9/10

Middle School in Raleigh · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

River Bend Elementary

4.3/10

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

North Raleigh Christian Academy

4.1/10

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

About River Bend Middle

River Bend Middle is a public middle school in Raleigh, NC, part of Wake County Schools. River Bend Middle serves approximately 989 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. River Bend Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,579 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for River Bend Middle show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • NC avg 5.7

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at River Bend Middle sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

37% of students at River Bend Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.4Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data7
Annual Change+0.58 pts/yr
Data Period2017–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.4% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-29.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.8 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)54% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-21.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,691
Chronic Absenteeism36.5%

River Bend Middle — Students at River Bend Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 25.2% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
53.9% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2017-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 NC)

Based on 20 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2017
Math
27%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
28.3%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
28.1%
ELA
35.4%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How River Bend Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in NC
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
76%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5601 Wallace Martin Way, Raleigh, NC 27616

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Bend Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. East Millbrook Middle (rated 4.3/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is River Oaks Middle (rated 4.0/10, 4.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Neuse River Middle (rated 3.5/10, 3.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Raleigh, see our Raleigh schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
River Bend Elementary Raleigh 0.3 mi 4.3
NORTH RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh 1.4 mi 4.1
Harris Creek Elementary Raleigh 1.4 mi 5.8
Fox Road Elementary Raleigh 1.5 mi 5.7
THALES ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh 1.7 mi 6.2
COMMISSION LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Raleigh 2.0 mi 6.6
Doral Academy of North Carolina Raleigh 2.4 mi 8.8
Wildwood Forest Elementary Raleigh 2.4 mi 3.4
Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh 2.8 mi 7.6
East Millbrook Middle Raleigh 2.6 mi 4.3
Neuse River Middle Raleigh 3.0 mi 3.5
CHRISTIAN LIFE ACADEMY Raleigh 3.2 mi
ST THOMAS MORE ACADEMY Raleigh 3.2 mi 6.7
Endeavor Charter School Wake Forest 4.0 mi 8.6
Wilburn Elementary Raleigh 3.7 mi 5.2
Raleigh Oak Charter Raleigh 3.3 mi 7.4
Abbotts Creek Elementary Raleigh 3.8 mi 9.3
Durant Road Elementary Raleigh 3.8 mi 5.0
RALEIGH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Raleigh 4.4 mi 7.8
River Oaks Middle Raleigh 4.7 mi 4.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27616 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$81,534

Median Home Value

$314,800

Median Rent

$1,514/mo

Population

61,161

College Educated

43.4%

Homeownership

55.7%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.9%

Median Age

34.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
A L Stanback Middle Hillsborough, NC 5.9
Carroll Middle Raleigh, NC 5.9
Forbush Middle East Bend, NC 5.9
Mint Hill Middle Matthews, NC 5.9
Chestnut Grove Middle School King, NC 6.0
Dixon Middle Sneads Ferry, NC 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Bend Middle

What grades does River Bend Middle serve?

River Bend Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend River Bend Middle?

River Bend Middle has an enrollment of approximately 989 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Bend Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at River Bend Middle is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Bend Middle rank in NC?

River Bend Middle ranks #1,579 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is River Bend Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

River Bend Middle 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 Bend Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River Bend Middle has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2017-2025).

Is River Bend Middle a charter school?

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

Is River Bend Middle a Title I school?

No, River Bend Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Bend Middle?

76.1% of students at River Bend Middle 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
13 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
20 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
989
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Wake County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

District

Wake County Schools
District Enrollment
161,481
Schools in District
197
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,691
District Rank
#143 of 194

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