Very Good
#613 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 23% in state
Riverbend Elementary
Elementary School · Haywood County Schools
71 Learning Lane, Clyde, NC 28721
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
201
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clyde
#1 of 3
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#529 of 1,474
In district
#7 of 15
Haywood County Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Riverbend Elementary
Riverbend Elementary serves 201 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Clyde, North Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranking 27th among North Carolina's 2,661 elementary schools, Riverbend demonstrates exceptional academic achievement that places it in the 99th percentile statewide. The school's 14 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.4 to 1, supporting strong educational outcomes across all grade levels.
Students consistently excel in both core subjects, with 89% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 79% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading. Located at 71 Learning Lane in rural Haywood County near the town of Clyde, Riverbend Elementary serves a community with a median household income of $60,479 and median home values around $215,400. The surrounding area has a college education rate of 26% and maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 7.3%, reflecting a stable residential community of approximately 10,540 residents.
Riverbend Elementary operates in a picturesque rural setting that combines small-town charm with access to the natural beauty of western North Carolina's mountain region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Riverbend Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Riverbend Elementary — Students at Riverbend Elementary score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
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: 6.5/10.
How Riverbend Elementary Compares
See how Riverbend Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 88.7% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 79.4% (2025).
Location
71 Learning Lane, Clyde, NC 28721
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Riverbend Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Canton Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Canton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Junaluska Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Hazelwood Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Waynesville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clyde, see our Clyde schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Haywood Early College Clyde | 4.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Tuscola High Waynesville | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Clyde Elementary Clyde | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Shining Rock Classical Academy Waynesville | 4.9 mi | 6.3 |
| BLUE RIDGE ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Waynesville | 4.9 mi | — |
| HAYWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Waynesville | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Junaluska Elementary Waynesville | 5.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Jonathan Valley Elementary Waynesville | 6.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Central Haywood High Waynesville | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Waynesville Middle Waynesville | 7.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Bethel Elementary Canton | 7.5 mi | 7.7 |
| North Canton Elementary Canton | 6.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Canton Middle Canton | 7.0 mi | 7.8 |
| ACADEMY AT SOAR, SOAR INC. Waynesville | 8.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Pisgah High Canton | 7.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Bethel Middle Waynesville | 8.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Hazelwood Elementary Waynesville | 8.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Meadowbrook Elementary Canton | 8.2 mi | 5.5 |
| ST JOSEPH ACADEMY Maggie Valley | 9.5 mi | — |
| Pisgah Elementary Candler | 13.3 mi | 6.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28721 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,323
Median Home Value
$251,500
Median Rent
$1,069/mo
Population
10,561
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
75.2%
Avg Commute
22.5 min
Poverty Rate
6.6%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Riverbend Elementary has a median household income of $67,323. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,500, with a median rent of $1,069/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| BROOKSTONE SCHOOLS Charlotte, NC | 7.7 |
| Children's Village Academy Kinston, NC | 7.7 |
| Colerain Elementary Colerain, NC | 7.7 |
| Germanton Elementary School Germanton, NC | 7.7 |
| J T Barber Elementary New Bern, NC | 7.7 |
| Roaring River Elementary School Roaring River, NC | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Riverbend Elementary
What grades does Riverbend Elementary serve?
Riverbend Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Riverbend Elementary?
Riverbend Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 201 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverbend Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Riverbend Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Riverbend Elementary rank in NC?
Riverbend Elementary is ranked #613 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Riverbend Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Riverbend 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 Riverbend Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverbend Elementary has 85.0% math proficiency and 77.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Riverbend Elementary a charter school?
No, Riverbend Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Riverbend Elementary a Title I school?
No, Riverbend Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riverbend Elementary?
98.5% of students at Riverbend 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 201
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Haywood County
- Phone
- (828) 627-6565
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Haywood County Schools- District Enrollment
- 6,566
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,458
- District Rank
- #7 of 15
Other Schools in This District
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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