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Average

#1013 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 38% in state

River Mill Academy

School · River Mill Academy

235 Cheeks Lane, Graham, NC 27253

Charter

Enrollment

768

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,013 of 2,648

In Graham

#2 of 11

public schools

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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River Mill Academy

6.9/10

School in Graham · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Graham Elementary

5.0/10

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

Ray Street Academy

5.1/10

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

About River Mill Academy

River Mill Academy is a public school in Graham, NC, part of River Mill Academy. River Mill Academy serves approximately 768 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. River Mill Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,013 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for River Mill Academy show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above NC schools
  • This school 6.9 · Average
  • NC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

River Mill Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency79.6% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.3% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+15.7 pts
Overall Proficiency74% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)77% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness6.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%+
AP Participation4.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,946
Chronic Absenteeism15%

River Mill Academy — Students at River Mill Academy score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 77%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 67.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 42 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
50%
ELA
64%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
64%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
58%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
74.3%
ELA
64.8%
2025
Math
79.8%
ELA
69.5%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How River Mill Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in NC
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 3
Sports
12
6 boys' · 6 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
45 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
4.4% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics12sports offered
6 boys'·6 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

235 Cheeks Lane, Graham, NC 27253

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Mill Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Burlington), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alamance Virtual School (rated 5.3/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Burlington), a more accessible option. For more schools in Graham, see our Graham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
South Graham Elementary Graham 0.6 mi 5.0
Ray Street Academy Graham 1.2 mi 5.1
Graham Middle Graham 1.6 mi 2.0
Graham High Graham 2.3 mi 2.8
North Graham Elementary Graham 2.4 mi 2.5
Harvey R Newlin Elementary Burlington 2.5 mi 4.0
Southern Alamance Middle Graham 2.9 mi 3.6
ABSS Early College at ACC Graham 2.6 mi 7.2
Broadview Middle Burlington 3.0 mi 3.4
Southern Alamance High Graham 3.0 mi 5.5
Hugh M Cummings High Burlington 3.1 mi 2.4
Alexander Wilson Elementary Graham 2.8 mi 4.7
R Homer Andrews Elementary Burlington 3.6 mi 3.7
Alamance Community School Haw River 3.2 mi 6.8
POSITIVE DAY SCHOOL Burlington 3.9 mi
Eastlawn Elementary Burlington 4.1 mi 3.8
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burlington 3.7 mi 6.9
Haw River Elementary Haw River 4.0 mi 4.5
BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Burlington 4.5 mi 7.0
Alamance Virtual School Burlington 4.8 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27253 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,020

Median Home Value

$212,300

Median Rent

$975/mo

Population

32,688

College Educated

24.3%

Homeownership

66.4%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burlington, NC 6.9
CAROLINA DAY SCHOOL Asheville, NC 7.0
Durham Charter School Durham, NC 7.1
THE O'NEAL SCHOOL Southern Pines, NC 7.1
FORSYTH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Lewisville, NC 6.7
Vance Charter School Henderson, NC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Mill Academy

What grades does River Mill Academy serve?

River Mill Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend River Mill Academy?

River Mill Academy has an enrollment of approximately 768 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at River Mill Academy is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Mill Academy rank in NC?

River Mill Academy ranks #1,013 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is River Mill Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

River Mill Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 Mill Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River Mill Academy has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 67% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is River Mill Academy a charter school?

Yes, River Mill Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is River Mill Academy a Title I school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
768
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
45
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Alamance County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.0%
4-Year Graduation
90%+

District

River Mill Academy
District Enrollment
768
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,946
District Rank
#1 of 1

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