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Needs Improvement

#2595 of 2,648 schools in NC

River Oaks Academy

Elementary School · Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

1015 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Enrollment

570

Student-Teacher

22.8:1

Score

2.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#2,595 of 2,648

In Charlotte

#168 of 174

public schools

In district

#173 of 179

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

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River Oaks Academy

2.8/10

Elementary School in Charlotte · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whitewater Academy

6.3/10

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

Whitewater Middle

6.4/10

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

About River Oaks Academy

River Oaks Academy is a public elementary school in Charlotte, NC, part of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. River Oaks Academy serves approximately 570 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio. River Oaks Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,595 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for River Oaks Academy show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares3.5 pts below district
  • This school 2.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.3
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

River Oaks Academy runs 22.8:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

33% of students at River Oaks Academy 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 Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.7% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-30.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.9 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)47% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,198
Chronic Absenteeism32.6%

River Oaks Academy — Students at River Oaks Academy score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
64%
2011
Math
78%
ELA
65%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
33%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
38%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
29%
ELA
30%
2019
Math
29%
ELA
30%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
28.7%
ELA
28.7%
2025
Math
33.4%
ELA
33.7%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How River Oaks Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
2.8/10
2th percentile in NC
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

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

1015 Mt Holly-Huntersville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Oaks Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Belmont Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Belmont), which scores notably higher. Another option is Paw Creek Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ida Rankin Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Mount Holly), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charlotte, see our Charlotte schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Whitewater Academy Charlotte 1.8 mi 6.3
Whitewater Middle Charlotte 1.9 mi 6.4
Pinewood Elementary Mount Holly 1.8 mi 7.6
Coulwood STEM Academy Charlotte 1.9 mi 7.7
Paw Creek Elementary Charlotte 2.2 mi 8.2
Ida Rankin Elementary School Mount Holly 2.5 mi 7.9
Turning Point Academy Charlotte 2.9 mi 4.9
Mount Holly Middle Mount Holly 2.7 mi 6.6
Mountain Island Lake Academy Charlotte 2.8 mi 2.6
Mountain Island Charter School Mt. Holly 3.6 mi 7.4
Jackson Day School Charlotte 3.9 mi 8.2
West Mecklenburg High School Charlotte 4.5 mi 4.1
Wilson STEM Academy Charlotte 4.5 mi 6.3
Catawba Heights Elementary Belmont 4.1 mi 7.6
Tuckaseegee Elementary Charlotte 4.6 mi 7.3
East Voyager Academy of Charlotte Charlotte 4.7 mi 6.3
Allenbrook Elementary Charlotte 4.8 mi 7.3
North Belmont Elementary Belmont 4.7 mi 8.8
Oakdale Elementary Charlotte 4.6 mi 3.4
J B Page Primary School Belmont 5.9 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$83,618

Median Home Value

$258,400

Median Rent

$1,570/mo

Population

42,197

College Educated

36%

Homeownership

74.3%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

9.6%

Median Age

35.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North Hills Elementary Winston-Salem, NC 2.8
Clarke Elementary Henderson, NC 2.9
North Rowan Elementary Spencer, NC 2.9
Oaks Road Academy New Bern, NC 2.9
Dole Elementary Salisbury, NC 2.6
Dabney Elementary Henderson, NC 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Oaks Academy

What grades does River Oaks Academy serve?

River Oaks Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend River Oaks Academy?

River Oaks Academy has an enrollment of approximately 570 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at River Oaks Academy is 22.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Oaks Academy rank in NC?

River Oaks Academy ranks #2,595 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is River Oaks Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

River Oaks Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 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 Oaks Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, River Oaks Academy has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is River Oaks Academy a charter school?

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

Is River Oaks Academy a Title I school?

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

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Oaks Academy?

98.6% of students at River Oaks 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
23 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Mecklenburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.6%

District

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
District Enrollment
144,116
Schools in District
184
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,198
District Rank
#173 of 179

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