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Average

#1755 of 2,648 schools in NC

Riverside High

High School · Durham Public Schools

3218 Rose of Sharon Road, Durham, NC 27712

Enrollment

1,851

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,755 of 2,648

In Durham

#48 of 68

public schools

In district

#40 of 54

Durham Public Schools

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Riverside High

5.5/10

High School in Durham · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hillandale Elementary

3.8/10

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

Liberty Christian School

7.3/10

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

About Riverside High

Riverside High is a public high school in Durham, NC, part of Durham Public Schools. Riverside High serves approximately 1,851 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Riverside High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,755 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Riverside High show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Riverside High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.2% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)61% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College Readiness6.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation19.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,239
Chronic Absenteeism43.9%

Riverside High — Students at Riverside High score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 46.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 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
71%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
54%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
49.2%
ELA
46.5%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Riverside High Compares

See how Riverside High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
34th percentile in NC
Academic
4.8/10
Below Average
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 3
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
19.3% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

3218 Rose of Sharon Road, Durham, NC 27712

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverside High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. City of Medicine Academy (rated 9.1/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Durham School of the Arts (rated 8.7/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeview School (rated 5.6/10, 4.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Durham, see our Durham schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillandale Elementary Durham 1.3 mi 3.8
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 1.2 mi 7.3
Easley Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 8.7
George L Carrington Middle Durham 2.3 mi 5.4
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 6.1
Holt Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 5.9
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham 3.0 mi 7.2
Northern High Durham 2.7 mi 4.6
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 3.0 mi 4.4
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 3.2 mi
City of Medicine Academy Durham 3.2 mi 9.1
Voyager Academy Durham 3.2 mi 8.0
Brogden Middle Durham 3.6 mi 4.6
E K Powe Elementary Durham 3.9 mi 7.9
DUKE SCHOOL Durham 4.7 mi 8.2
George Watts Elementary Durham 4.5 mi 8.9
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 4.3 mi 8.2
Lakeview School Durham 4.4 mi 5.6
Durham School of the Arts Durham 4.9 mi 8.7
Lucas Middle Durham 4.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 27712 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,190

Median Home Value

$324,400

Median Rent

$1,614/mo

Population

23,541

College Educated

48.6%

Homeownership

88.9%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

44.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Cabarrus High Concord, NC 5.5
Hillside High Durham, NC 5.5
Hoke County High Raeford, NC 5.5
Purnell Swett High Pembroke, NC 5.5
Saint Pauls High Saint Pauls, NC 5.5
Southern Alamance High Graham, NC 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverside High

What grades does Riverside High serve?

Riverside High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Riverside High?

Riverside High has an enrollment of approximately 1,851 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverside High?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverside High is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverside High rank in NC?

Riverside High ranks #1,755 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Riverside High's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverside High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Riverside High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Riverside High has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Riverside High a charter school?

No, Riverside High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Riverside High a Title I school?

No, Riverside High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riverside High?

53.5% of students at Riverside High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,851
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
101
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Durham County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.9%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

Durham Public Schools
District Enrollment
31,339
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,239
District Rank
#40 of 54

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