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Below Average

#2405 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

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Durham

#64 of 68

public schools

North Carolina high schools

#459 of 579

In district

#53 of 54

Durham Public Schools

About Riverside High

Riverside High serves 1,851 students in grades 9-12 in Durham, North Carolina, with a student-teacher ratio of 18.3 to 1 across its 101 full-time equivalent teachers. This large public high school is working to strengthen its academic outcomes, with current proficiency rates of 46% in English Language Arts and 33% in mathematics. The school receives a MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks in the 22nd percentile among North Carolina high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.

Located on Rose of Sharon Road, Riverside High sits within the 27712 ZIP code area, a well-established community where the median household income reaches $85,216 and half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood reflects economic stability with a low poverty rate of 5.7% and median home values of $292,200, suggesting a community invested in education and family life. Despite the academic challenges the school faces, Riverside High operates within Durham's large city environment, providing students access to the cultural, educational, and professional opportunities that come with urban living while serving families in an economically diverse and educated community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.87 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.5%
Math vs. State Avg-38.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.1 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected-26.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness6.6Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,937

Riverside High — Students at Riverside High score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

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 36.2%
School
State
56.0%
ELA Proficiency 43.8%
School
State
53.6%

Based on 6 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
17.7%
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: 1.9/10.

How Riverside High Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
9th percentile in NC
Academic
2.7/10
2.7/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
101 teachers

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 9.0/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Durham School of the Arts (rated 7.9/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lakeview School (rated 5.8/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 6.0
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Durham 1.2 mi 7.3
Easley Elementary Durham 1.4 mi 9.1
George L Carrington Middle Durham 2.3 mi 6.8
Eno Valley Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 7.9
Holt Elementary Durham 2.4 mi 7.9
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL Durham 3.0 mi 7.1
Northern High Durham 2.7 mi 4.8
Excelsior Classical Academy Durham 3.0 mi 4.0
MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL Durham 3.2 mi
City of Medicine Academy Durham 3.2 mi 9.0
Voyager Academy Durham 3.2 mi 6.2
Brogden Middle Durham 3.6 mi 6.1
E K Powe Elementary Durham 3.9 mi 6.9
DUKE SCHOOL Durham 4.7 mi 8.2
George Watts Elementary Durham 4.5 mi 7.7
Club Boulevard Elementary Durham 4.3 mi 8.2
Lakeview School Durham 4.4 mi 5.8
Durham School of the Arts Durham 4.9 mi 7.9
Lucas Middle Durham 4.6 mi 6.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Riverside High has a median household income of $91,190. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $324,400, with a median rent of $1,614/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Cleveland High Clayton, NC 4.2
East Wake High Wendell, NC 4.2
Eastern Guilford High Gibsonville, NC 4.2
Lucy Ragsdale High Jamestown, NC 4.2
McDowell High School Marion, NC 4.2
South Central Winterville, NC 4.2

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 is ranked #2405 out of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Riverside High's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverside High has a composite rating of 4.2 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 High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverside High has 36.2% math proficiency and 43.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,431/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Durham). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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