Average
#1292 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 49% in state
River Dell Elementary
Elementary School · Johnston County Public Schools
12100 Buffalo Road, Clayton, NC 27527
Enrollment
942
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
942
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#1,292 of 2,648
In Clayton
#7 of 13
public schools
In district
#23 of 48
Johnston County Public Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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River Dell Elementary
Elementary School in Clayton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Thanksgiving Elementary
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Archer Lodge Middle
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About River Dell Elementary
River Dell Elementary is a public elementary school in Clayton, NC, part of Johnston County Public Schools. River Dell Elementary serves approximately 942 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. River Dell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,292 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for River Dell Elementary show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.4 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- NC avg 6.4
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
River Dell Elementary — Students at River Dell Elementary score 66% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC 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: 4.5/10.
How River Dell Elementary Compares
See how River Dell Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
12100 Buffalo Road, Clayton, NC 27527
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Dell Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Thanksgiving Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Selma), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riverwood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Powhatan Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 3.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clayton, see our Clayton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Elementary Selma | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| Archer Lodge Middle Wendell | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| East Clayton Elementary Clayton | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Powhatan Elementary Clayton | 3.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Corinth Holders High Wendell | 4.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Riverwood Elementary Clayton | 4.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Riverwood Middle Clayton | 4.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Wilson's Mills Elementary Wilson'S Mills | 5.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Corinth-Holders Elementary Zebulon | 5.4 mi | 6.5 |
| STAR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smithfield | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Cooper Academy Clayton | 5.7 mi | 5.0 |
| American Leadership Academy - Johnston Raleigh | 7.6 mi | — |
| Clayton High Clayton | 6.5 mi | 5.7 |
| ACADEMY OF HOPE Clayton | 6.6 mi | — |
| Wendell Elementary Wendell | 8.3 mi | 5.1 |
| West Clayton Elementary Clayton | 6.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Lake Myra Elementary Wendell | 7.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Carver Elementary Wendell | 8.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cardinal Charter Acad at Wendell Falls Wendell | 8.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Clayton Middle Clayton | 7.7 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 27527 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$111,011
Median Home Value
$360,700
Median Rent
$1,617/mo
Population
35,968
College Educated
45.5%
Homeownership
84.8%
Avg Commute
34.3 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Median Age
36.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Briarwood Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.4 |
| Collinswood Language Academy Charlotte, NC | 6.4 |
| Dunn Elementary Dunn, NC | 6.4 |
| Lakeshore Elementary Mooresville, NC | 6.4 |
| Lillington-Shawtown Elementary Lillington, NC | 6.4 |
| Polenta Elementary Garner, NC | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River Dell Elementary
What grades does River Dell Elementary serve?
River Dell Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend River Dell Elementary?
River Dell Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 942 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Dell Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at River Dell Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does River Dell Elementary rank in NC?
River Dell Elementary ranks #1,292 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is River Dell Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
River Dell Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 Dell Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, River Dell Elementary has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is River Dell Elementary a charter school?
No, River Dell Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River Dell Elementary a Title I school?
No, River Dell Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Dell Elementary?
99.7% of students at River Dell Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 942
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Johnston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.2%
- Phone
- (919) 553-1977
Resources & Links
District
Johnston County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 37,289
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,352
- District Rank
- #23 of 48
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