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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.62 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.1%
Math vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.5 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,311

Riverside Elementary — Students at Riverside Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 41.2%
School
State
59.4%
ELA Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2025
Math
47.1%
ELA
37.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.8/10
36th percentile in NC
Academic
5.2/10
5.2/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Avery County Schools
District Enrollment
1,856
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,513
District Rank
#6 of 8

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 methodology

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