Average
#1702 of 2,648 schools in NC
Riverside Elementary
Elementary School · Avery County Schools
8020 US 19E Hwy South, Newland, NC 28657
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher
13.5:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Newland
#2 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#1,156 of 1,474
In district
#6 of 8
Avery County Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Riverside Elementary
Riverside Elementary, nestled in the rural community of Newland, North Carolina, serves students from preschool through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 108 students and an average student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, Riverside provides personalized attention and support to each child. The school employs eight full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and social development.
While Riverside Elementary has a MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks at the 21st percentile among North Carolina schools, it focuses on providing a nurturing environment that supports student development beyond test scores. In ELA/Reading, 40% of students are proficient or above, and in Math, 41% meet proficiency standards. Riverside Elementary is situated in a quiet rural setting, offering a peaceful backdrop for learning and exploration.
The school community thrives on its close-knit relationships and commitment to educational improvement.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 108 students, Riverside Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Riverside 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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Riverside Elementary — Students at Riverside Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How Riverside Elementary Compares
See how Riverside Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 34.5% (2019) to 45.2% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44.5% (2019) to 38.1% (2025).
Location
8020 US 19E Hwy South, Newland, NC 28657
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Riverside Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gouge Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Bakersville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freedom Trail Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Elk Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crossnore Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Crossnore), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Newland, see our Newland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mayland Early College Spruce Pine | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Spruce Pine | 3.8 mi | 6.9 |
| SPRUCE PINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 5.7 mi | 5.7 |
| TRI-COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spruce Pine | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Marjorie Williams Academy Crossnore | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Mitchell High Bakersville | 5.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Crossnore Elementary Crossnore | 5.8 mi | 8.5 |
| Harris Middle Spruce Pine | 6.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Deyton Elementary Spruce Pine | 6.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Greenlee Primary Spruce Pine | 7.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Avery County High Newland | 7.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Avery Middle Newland | 7.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Newland Elementary Newland | 8.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Gouge Elementary Bakersville | 7.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Bowman Middle Bakersville | 7.7 mi | 7.6 |
| Freedom Trail Elementary Elk Park | 11.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Cranberry Middle Elk Park | 11.2 mi | 6.8 |
| RAINBOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elk Park | 11.4 mi | — |
| North Cove Elementary School Marion | 13.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Cloudland Elementary School Roan Mountain | 14.1 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28657 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,371
Median Home Value
$223,600
Median Rent
$748/mo
Population
8,098
College Educated
24.8%
Homeownership
81.7%
Avg Commute
23.5 min
Poverty Rate
8.4%
Median Age
51.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Riverside Elementary has a median household income of $56,371. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,600, with a median rent of $748/month. The local poverty rate of 8.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Lawsonville Elementary School Lawsonville, NC | 5.8 |
| Niner University Elementary Charlotte, NC | 5.8 |
| Hot Springs Elementary Hot Springs, NC | 5.7 |
| LERNER JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Durham, NC | 5.9 |
| ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF RALEIGH Raleigh, NC | 6.0 |
| CHARLOTTE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Charlotte, NC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Riverside Elementary
What grades does Riverside Elementary serve?
Riverside Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Riverside Elementary?
Riverside Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverside Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Riverside Elementary is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Riverside Elementary rank in NC?
Riverside Elementary is ranked #1702 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Riverside Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Riverside Elementary has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Riverside Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverside Elementary has 41.2% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Riverside Elementary a charter school?
No, Riverside Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Riverside Elementary a Title I school?
No, Riverside Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riverside Elementary?
97.2% of students at Riverside 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,111/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 108
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Avery County
- Phone
- (828) 737-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Avery County Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,856
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,513
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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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