Needs Improvement
#1160 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
2.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
801
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
2.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,160 of 1,176
In North Charleston
#30 of 30
public schools
In district
#25 of 25
Dorchester 02
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River Oaks Middle
Middle School in North Charleston · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Eagle Nest Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fort Dorchester High
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About River Oaks Middle
River Oaks Middle is a public middle school in North Charleston, SC, part of Dorchester 02. River Oaks Middle serves approximately 801 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. River Oaks Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,160 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for River Oaks Middle show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at River Oaks Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
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 28 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: 2.1/10.
How River Oaks Middle Compares
See how River Oaks Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science (rated 4.1/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Northwoods Middle (rated 3.9/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oakbrook Middle (rated 3.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Ladson), which scores notably higher. 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 | 4.1 |
| Fort Dorchester High North Charleston | 1.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Fort Dorchester Elementary Summerville | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| RB Stall High North Charleston | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson | 3.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Oakbrook Middle Ladson | 3.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Oakbrook Elementary Ladson | 3.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston | 3.3 mi | 3.7 |
| Lambs Elementary North Charleston | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science North Charleston | 4.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Lowcountry Connection Academy Summerville | 4.8 mi | 2.7 |
| Northwoods Middle North Charleston | 4.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston | 4.5 mi | 4.0 |
| Drayton Hall Elementary Charleston | 4.9 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Charleston | 4.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Ladson Elementary Ladson | 5.3 mi | 3.4 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster, SC | 2.6 |
| New Heights Middle Jefferson, SC | 2.7 |
| Sedgefield Middle Goose Creek, SC | 2.5 |
| South Middle Lancaster, SC | 2.8 |
| Sandhills Middle Gaston, SC | 2.9 |
| Colleton County Middle Walterboro, SC | 3.0 |
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 ranks #1,160 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is River Oaks Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
River Oaks Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at River Oaks Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, River Oaks Middle has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.7%
- Phone
- (843) 695-2470
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester 02- District Enrollment
- 26,547
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,212
- District Rank
- #25 of 25
Other Schools in This District
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