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Needs Improvement

#1654 of 1,851 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia schools

#1,654 of 1,851

In district

#16 of 23

Rockingham County Public Schools

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South River Elementary

3.8/10

Elementary School in Grottoes · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Peak View Elementary

4.7/10

6.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cub Run Elementary

3.4/10

6.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About South River Elementary

South River Elementary is a public elementary school in Grottoes, VA, part of Rockingham County Public Schools. South River Elementary serves approximately 314 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. South River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,654 of 1,851 schools in VA.

Structured state assessment records for South River Elementary show 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • VA avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

South River Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66% (2025 SOL)
Reading/ELA Proficiency65% (2025 SOL)
Math vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.7 pts
Overall Proficiency66% (2025 SOL, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)73% (model expectation from 2025 SOL)
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment6.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,743
Chronic Absenteeism21.3%

South River Elementary — Students at South River Elementary score 66% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

63.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
73.5% (2025 SOL)
ELA Proficiency 79.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
72.2% (2025 SOL)

Based on 33 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
97.5%
2012
Math
85%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
ELA
82%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
66.5%
ELA
65.3%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How South River Elementary Compares

See how South River Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
11th percentile in VA
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Edward G. Clymore Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Fort Defiance), which scores notably higher. Another option is John W. Wayland Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Bridgewater), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cassell Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Waynesboro), 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 4.7
Cub Run Elementary Penn Laird 6.4 mi 3.4
Montevideo Middle Penn Laird 6.5 mi 6.6
Spotswood High Penn Laird 7.3 mi 6.9
McGaheysville Elementary Mcgaheysville 7.8 mi 4.5
REDEEMER CLASSICAL SCHOOL Keezletown 9.5 mi 6.3
Stone Spring Elementary Harrisonburg 9.8 mi 2.7
Pleasant Valley Elementary Harrisonburg 9.6 mi 3.5
Fort Defiance High Fort Defiance 8.6 mi 6.6
Cassell Elementary Waynesboro 10.7 mi 5.4
Edward G. Clymore Elementary Fort Defiance 8.7 mi 5.5
S. Gordon Stewart Middle Fort Defiance 8.8 mi 5.5
Skyline Middle Harrisonburg 11.1 mi 4.1
Smithland Elementary Harrisonburg 11.1 mi 3.4
OAK LANE SCHOOL Harrisonburg 10.3 mi
Spotswood Elementary Harrisonburg 11.4 mi 3.7
Keister Elementary Harrisonburg 11.5 mi 3.5
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 5.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Charles City County Elementary Charles City, VA 3.8
Dudley Primary Bluefield, VA 3.8
Eastern Montgomery Elementary Elliston, VA 3.8
Lacey Spring Elementary Harrisonburg, VA 3.8
Lawson-Marriott Elementary St. Stephens Church, VA 3.8
Montrose 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 ranks #1,654 of 1,851 schools in VA.

What is South River Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

South River Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 South River Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South River Elementary has 77% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

District

Rockingham County Public Schools
District Enrollment
11,534
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,743
District Rank
#16 of 23

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