Very Good
#624 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 24% in state
River Gate Elementary
Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
15340 Smith Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Enrollment
721
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
721
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charlotte
#40 of 173
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#540 of 1,474
In district
#46 of 179
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About River Gate Elementary
River Gate Elementary is an elementary school located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina. With a student body of 721 students ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school offers a welcoming environment for young learners. The low student-to-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 ensures that each child receives personalized attention and support.
River Gate Elementary maintains an academic focus with notable achievements in math, where 63% of students are proficient or above, indicating strong performance in this subject area. In English Language Arts (ELA), the proficiency rate is at 50%, showing potential for further growth and development. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.9/10 reflects its solid standing among North Carolina’s public schools, placing it in the 73rd percentile statewide.
River Gate Elementary is situated in a bustling urban setting within Charlotte’s vibrant community, offering students ample opportunities to engage with their surroundings and participate in local activities. This central location makes it convenient for families living nearby to access educational resources and community amenities.
Score Breakdown
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River Gate Elementary — Students at River Gate Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How River Gate Elementary Compares
See how River Gate Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 69.5% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 54.9% (2025).
Location
15340 Smith Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Gate Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pleasant Knoll Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Mill), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sugar Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Mill), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Winget Park Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Unity Classical Charter School Charlotte | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Southwest Middle School Charlotte | 1.6 mi | 3.9 |
| WALNUT GROVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Mill | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Lake Wylie Elementary Charlotte | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Pleasant Knoll Middle Fort Mill | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Pleasant Knoll Elementary Fort Mill | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Palisades High School Charlotte | 2.5 mi | — |
| Tega Cay Elementary Tega Cay | 3.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Palisades Park Elementary Charlotte | 2.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Winget Park Elementary Charlotte | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Gold Hill Elementary Tega Cay | 3.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Gold Hill Middle Tega Cay | 3.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Springfield Middle Fort Mill | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Springfield Elementary Fort Mill | 3.5 mi | 7.1 |
| South Pine Academy Charlotte | 3.9 mi | 2.7 |
| Orchard Park Elementary Fort Mill | 4.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Kennedy Middle Charlotte | 4.7 mi | 5.7 |
| PALISADES EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Charlotte | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Sugar Creek Elementary Fort Mill | 4.2 mi | 8.5 |
| COMENIUS SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP Fort Mill | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28273 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$84,739
Median Home Value
$304,900
Median Rent
$1,671/mo
Population
49,141
College Educated
39.1%
Homeownership
52%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
33
Community Profile
The community surrounding River Gate Elementary has a median household income of $84,739. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $304,900, with a median rent of $1,671/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Baucom Elementary Apex, NC | 7.7 |
| Benvenue Elementary Rocky Mount, NC | 7.7 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton, NC | 7.7 |
| Celeste Henkel Elementary Statesville, NC | 7.7 |
| Charles E Boger Elementary Kannapolis, NC | 7.7 |
| Chatham Grove Elementary Pittsboro, NC | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River Gate Elementary
What grades does River Gate Elementary serve?
River Gate Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend River Gate Elementary?
River Gate Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 721 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Gate Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at River Gate Elementary is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does River Gate Elementary rank in NC?
River Gate Elementary is ranked #624 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is River Gate Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
River Gate Elementary has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Gate Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Gate Elementary has 62.7% math proficiency and 50.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is River Gate Elementary a charter school?
No, River Gate Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River Gate Elementary a Title I school?
No, River Gate Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Gate Elementary?
99.6% of students at River Gate 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 721
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Mecklenburg County
- Phone
- (980) 344-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools- District Enrollment
- 144,116
- Schools in District
- 184
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,198
- District Rank
- #46 of 179
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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