Very Good
#518 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 20% in state
Rocky River Elementary
Elementary School · Union County Public Schools
500 N. Rocky River Road, Monroe, NC 28110
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
530
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Monroe
#5 of 25
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#459 of 1,474
In district
#9 of 52
Union County Public Schools
Equity
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Rocky River Elementary
Rocky River Elementary serves 530 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Monroe, North Carolina. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.6 to 1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention. Academically, Rocky River Elementary demonstrates solid performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks in the 79th percentile statewide at #560 out of 2,661 North Carolina elementary schools.
Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 69% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 56% meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. The school draws from Union County's 28110 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $81,495 and median home values of $265,100. The community maintains a low poverty rate of 8.9%, though only 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting a working-class neighborhood with stable economic foundations.
Rocky River Elementary sits in a rural setting near Monroe, offering students a quieter learning environment while maintaining access to the resources and amenities of nearby town life. The school's location provides a blend of small-town community feel with the educational opportunities that come from being part of Union County's school system.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Rocky River 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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Rocky River Elementary — Students at Rocky River Elementary score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.4%
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: 7.7/10.
How Rocky River Elementary Compares
See how Rocky River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54% (2019) to 68.9% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 56.9% (2025).
Location
500 N. Rocky River Road, Monroe, NC 28110
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rocky River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wesley Chapel Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Benton Heights Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Sardis Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 5.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Monroe, see our Monroe schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice Academy High School Monroe | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Union Academy Monroe | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Monroe Charter Academy Monroe | 2.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Walter Bickett Elementary Monroe | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Monroe | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Union County Early College Monroe | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Academy of Technology and Arts Monroe | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Benton Heights Elementary Monroe | 3.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Wolfe School Monroe | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Shiloh Valley Primary School Monroe | 3.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Shiloh Valley Elementary Monroe | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Sun Valley Middle Indian Trail | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Sun Valley High Monroe | 4.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Wesley Chapel Elementary Monroe | 3.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Monroe Middle Monroe | 4.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Sardis Elementary Monroe | 5.3 mi | 7.4 |
| East Elementary Monroe | 4.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Monroe High Monroe | 4.9 mi | 3.6 |
| ARBORBROOK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Matthews | 5.1 mi | 7.6 |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indian Trail | 5.6 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28110 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$81,221
Median Home Value
$302,600
Median Rent
$1,313/mo
Population
55,807
College Educated
23.7%
Homeownership
75.4%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
36.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rocky River Elementary has a median household income of $81,221. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $302,600, with a median rent of $1,313/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.0%. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Douglas Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rocky River Elementary
What grades does Rocky River Elementary serve?
Rocky River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rocky River Elementary?
Rocky River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 530 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rocky River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rocky River Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rocky River Elementary rank in NC?
Rocky River Elementary is ranked #518 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Rocky River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rocky River Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Rocky River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rocky River Elementary has 64.9% math proficiency and 51.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rocky River Elementary a charter school?
No, Rocky River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rocky River Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rocky River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rocky River Elementary?
99.4% of students at Rocky River 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 530
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (704) 290-1523
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 41,687
- Schools in District
- 52
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,340
- District Rank
- #9 of 52
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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