Below Average
#1075 of 1,176 schools in SC
River Oaks Middle
Middle School · Dorchester 02
8642 River Oaks Drive, North Charleston, SC 29420
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
4.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Charleston
#26 of 30
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#218 of 249
In district
#19 of 25
Dorchester 02
About River Oaks Middle
River Oaks Middle serves grades six through eight in North Charleston, with an enrollment of 801 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. This regular public school is located in a mid-size city setting at 8642 River Oaks Drive in Dorchester County. Academically, River Oaks is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects.
Currently, 36 percent of students demonstrate proficiency in English language arts and reading, while 18 percent meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. The school is ranked 995th out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in South Carolina's lower percentile range—an indicator that the school has significant opportunity for academic growth and improvement. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, River Oaks aims to support its middle grades students through the transition years of adolescence.
The school's location in North Charleston provides families with a school option in this established community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
River Oaks Middle — Students at River Oaks Middle score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.2/10.
How River Oaks Middle Compares
See how River Oaks Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 24% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 38% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
8642 River Oaks Drive, North Charleston, SC 29420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering River Oaks Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Northwoods Middle (rated 5.9/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science (rated 5.2/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakbrook Middle (rated 3.4/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Ladson), with a comparable rating. For more schools in North Charleston, see our North Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston | 0.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Fort Dorchester High North Charleston | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Fort Dorchester Elementary Summerville | 2.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| RB Stall High North Charleston | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Oakbrook Middle Ladson | 3.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Oakbrook Elementary Ladson | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Lambs Elementary North Charleston | 3.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science North Charleston | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Lowcountry Connection Academy Summerville | 4.8 mi | 2.2 |
| Northwoods Middle North Charleston | 4.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston | 4.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Drayton Hall Elementary Charleston | 4.9 mi | 7.6 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Charleston | 4.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Ladson Elementary Ladson | 5.3 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,043
Median Home Value
$283,900
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
Population
23,311
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
62.6%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
35.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding River Oaks Middle has a median household income of $69,043. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,900, with a median rent of $1,506/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bates Middle Sumter, SC | 4.1 |
| Bryson Middle Simpsonville, SC | 4.1 |
| CrossRoads Intermediate Columbia, SC | 4.1 |
| Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle Greenville, SC | 4.1 |
| Leslie M. Stover Middle Elgin, SC | 4.1 |
| Paul Knox Middle North Augusta, SC | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about River Oaks Middle
What grades does River Oaks Middle serve?
River Oaks Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend River Oaks Middle?
River Oaks Middle has an enrollment of approximately 801 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at River Oaks Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at River Oaks Middle is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does River Oaks Middle rank in SC?
River Oaks Middle is ranked #1075 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is River Oaks Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
River Oaks Middle has a composite rating of 4.0 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 River Oaks Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Oaks Middle has 18.3% math proficiency and 35.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is River Oaks Middle a charter school?
No, River Oaks Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is River Oaks Middle a Title I school?
No, River Oaks Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Oaks Middle?
73.4% of students at River Oaks Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,771/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 801
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Dorchester County
- Phone
- (843) 695-2470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester 02- District Enrollment
- 26,547
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,212
- District Rank
- #19 of 25
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.
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