Needs Improvement
#1681 of 1,850 schools in VA
South River Elementary
Elementary School · Rockingham County Public Schools
2101 Elm Ave, Grottoes, VA 24441
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
314
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Virginia elementary schools
#990 of 1,147
In district
#18 of 23
Rockingham County Public Schools
About South River Elementary
South River Elementary is a rural public elementary school located in Grottoes, Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 314 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. South River Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment where academic growth is encouraged alongside social development.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating reflects that there is room for improvement, but it also highlights the dedication of its staff to help students succeed. On average, around 68% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and about 66% meet proficiency standards in Math across all grade levels. While these numbers indicate areas where South River Elementary can continue to strengthen its academic programs, the school remains committed to fostering a nurturing educational experience for each student.
South River Elementary is situated in a rural setting, offering students a peaceful and close-knit community atmosphere conducive to learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, South 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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South River Elementary — Students at South River Elementary score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 76%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from VA 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: 2.6/10.
How South River Elementary Compares
See how South River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 66% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 65% (2025).
Location
2101 Elm Ave, Grottoes, VA 24441
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South River Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keister Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 11.5 miles away, in nearby Harrisonburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Spotswood Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Harrisonburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Peak View Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Penn Laird), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grottoes, see our Grottoes schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Peak View Elementary Penn Laird | 6.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Cub Run Elementary Penn Laird | 6.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Montevideo Middle Penn Laird | 6.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Spotswood High Penn Laird | 7.3 mi | 7.3 |
| McGaheysville Elementary Mcgaheysville | 7.8 mi | 3.6 |
| REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown | 9.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg | 9.8 mi | 2.6 |
| Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg | 9.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Fort Defiance High Fort Defiance | 8.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Cassell Elementary Waynesboro | 10.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Edward G. Clymore Elementary Fort Defiance | 8.7 mi | 4.0 |
| S. Gordon Stewart Middle Fort Defiance | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Skyline Middle Harrisonburg | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg | 11.1 mi | 4.0 |
| OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 10.3 mi | — |
| Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg | 11.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Keister Elementary Harrisonburg | 11.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Turner Ashby High Bridgewater | 10.8 mi | 6.8 |
| BEREA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harrisonburg | 11.8 mi | 4.1 |
| John W. Wayland Elementary Bridgewater | 11.0 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24441 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$80,288
Median Home Value
$250,400
Median Rent
$986/mo
Population
6,376
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
76.8%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
10.3%
Median Age
42.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding South River Elementary has a median household income of $80,288. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,400, with a median rent of $986/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.3%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Boones Mill Elementary Boones Mill, VA | 3.8 |
| Brookneal Elementary Brookneal, VA | 3.8 |
| Lacey Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA | 3.8 |
| Lakeview Elementary Portsmouth, VA | 3.8 |
| Stewartsville Elementary Goodview, VA | 3.8 |
| Varina Elementary Richmond, VA | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South River Elementary
What grades does South River Elementary serve?
South River Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend South River Elementary?
South River Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 314 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South River Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at South River Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South River Elementary rank in VA?
South River Elementary is ranked #1681 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is South River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
South River Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 South River Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South River Elementary has 65.8% math proficiency and 68.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South River Elementary a charter school?
No, South River Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South River Elementary a Title I school?
No, South River Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South River Elementary?
63.4% of students at South 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (792/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grottoes). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 314
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Rockingham County
- Phone
- (540) 249-4001
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Rockingham County Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 11,534
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,743
- District Rank
- #18 of 23
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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