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Average

#1413 of 2,842 schools in PA

Top 50% in state

Riverside MS

Middle School · Riverside Beaver County SD

302 Country Club Dr, Ellwood City, PA 16117

Enrollment

322

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ellwood City

#5 of 7

public schools

Pennsylvania middle schools

#245 of 514

In district

#2 of 3

Riverside Beaver County SD

Academic performance

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Riverside MS

Riverside MS is a middle school located in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, situated in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from sixth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 322 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, ensuring relatively small class sizes for individualized attention. Riverside MS has 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education.

The academic performance at Riverside MS places the school around the 55th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, reflecting room for growth in certain areas. Specifically, 68% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 45% are proficient or above in math. These scores indicate that while there is a strong foundation in language arts, there may be opportunities to enhance performance in mathematics.

Riverside MS sits quietly in the heart of its rural setting, offering students a close-knit community feel with easy access to nature and local amenities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Riverside MS 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 Progress7.4Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics7.5Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66.2%
Math vs. State Avg+10 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
Resources & Environment3.2Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,130

Riverside MS — Students at Riverside MS score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores PA PSSA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.9%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 67.9%
School
State
53.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
48%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
67%
2024
Math
47.9%
ELA
66.4%

* 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: 7.4/10.

How Riverside MS Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
50th percentile in PA
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

302 Country Club Dr, Ellwood City, PA 16117

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Riverside MS may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Hartman Intrmd Sch (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Brighton Area MS (rated 4.0/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby New Brighton), a more accessible option. Additionally, Beaver Falls MS (rated 3.4/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Beaver Falls), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ellwood City, see our Ellwood City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Riverside HS Ellwood City 0.1 mi 5.4
Riverside El Sch Ellwood City 0.1 mi 7.6
Perry Lower Intrmd Sch Ellwood City 1.9 mi 6.9
Hartman Intrmd Sch Ellwood City 2.2 mi 7.8
Lincoln JSHS Ellwood City 2.2 mi 5.0
North Side Primary School Ellwood City 2.9 mi 7.0
THE SCHOOL AT MCGUIRE MEMORIAL New Brighton 5.6 mi 7.2
BEAVER CO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL -UPPER Beaver Falls 5.1 mi 7.6
Beaver Falls Area SHS Beaver Falls 6.0 mi 4.7
BEAVER COUNTY CHRISTIAN Beaver Falls 5.6 mi 6.7
Beaver Falls MS Beaver Falls 6.1 mi 3.4
Central El Sch Beaver Falls 6.1 mi 4.8
ST MONICA CATHOLIC ACADEMY Beaver Falls 6.4 mi 6.7
New Brighton Area El Sch New Brighton 7.0 mi 7.7
New Brighton Area HS New Brighton 7.0 mi 6.1
New Brighton Area MS New Brighton 7.1 mi 4.0
Big Beaver El Sch Darlington 5.9 mi 4.2
Patterson Primary Sch Beaver Falls 7.0 mi 5.9
ST GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zelienople 6.8 mi 5.3
Rochester High School Rochester 8.6 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 16117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,982

Median Home Value

$143,000

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

16,013

College Educated

24.5%

Homeownership

77.7%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.9%

Median Age

48.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Riverside MS has a median household income of $69,982. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,000, with a median rent of $856/month. The local poverty rate of 6.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Belle Vernon Area MS Belle Vernon, PA 6.4
Delahunty MS Hermitage, PA 6.4
Tuscarora MS Mifflintown, PA 6.4
Avonworth MS Pittsburgh, PA 6.5
Octorara Intermediate Sch Atglen, PA 6.5
Rice Avenue MS Girard, PA 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Riverside MS

What grades does Riverside MS serve?

Riverside MS serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Riverside MS?

Riverside MS has an enrollment of approximately 322 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverside MS?

The student-teacher ratio at Riverside MS is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Riverside MS rank in PA?

Riverside MS is ranked #1413 out of 2,842 schools in PA.

What is Riverside MS's MySchoolScout rating?

Riverside MS has a composite rating of 6.4 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 MS?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverside MS has 44.9% math proficiency and 67.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Riverside MS a charter school?

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

Is Riverside MS a Title I school?

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

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

52.8% of students at Riverside MS 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

City Safety
Elevated (906/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
322
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beaver County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Riverside Beaver County SD
District Enrollment
1,428
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,777
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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