Riverside Middle School

Riverside Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Spalding, Nebraska, with 49 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1. That small scale translates directly into outcomes: the school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 — an Exceptional rating — driven by a 9.0 in academics and a near-perfect 9.9 in growth. Those numbers carry significant weight in context.

Riverside ranks #1 among all 133 middle schools in Nebraska, outperforming 99% of public schools statewide. It also places #10 out of 966 Nebraska public schools overall, putting it in elite company regardless of grade level or school size. Growth is the defining story here.

A 9.9 growth score means students are advancing measurably faster than peers at comparable schools — a metric that reflects sustained instructional quality rather than demographic advantage. For parents choosing between Spalding's two public schools, Riverside's standing makes the comparison clear. For families relocating to the area, it represents one of the strongest middle school options anywhere in the state.

With an enrollment of 49 students, Riverside Middle School 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 Middle School 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.