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Below Average

#2041 of 2,225 schools in WA

River Ridge High School

High School · North Thurston Public Schools

350 River Ridge Drive SE, Lacey, WA 98513

Enrollment

1,524

Student-Teacher

20.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lacey

#21 of 24

public schools

Washington high schools

#419 of 476

In district

#21 of 24

North Thurston Public Schools

About River Ridge High School

River Ridge High School serves 1,524 students in grades 9-12 in Lacey, Washington, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.9:1 supported by 73 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns strong marks with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #406 out of 2,261 schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Washington high schools. Academically, River Ridge demonstrates solid performance with an impressive 8.8 out of 10 academic score.

Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and Reading, with 75% achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. This consistent academic achievement reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school draws from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $99,787 and median home values sit at $391,800.

About one-third of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 9.3%, creating a supportive environment for educational achievement. River Ridge High School operates as a regular public school in Thurston County, situated in the small city setting of Lacey, where families benefit from a blend of suburban amenities and community connection that supports student growth and learning.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at River Ridge High School is 20.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.7%
Math vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness3.7Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,854

River Ridge High School — Students at River Ridge High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WA SBA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
35.8%
ELA Proficiency 68.9%
School
State
55.9%

Based on 9 test records from WA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
79%
2022
ELA
75%
2024
Math
24%
ELA
60.7%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.6/10.

How River Ridge High School Compares

See how River Ridge High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
8th percentile in WA
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

Location

350 River Ridge Drive SE, Lacey, WA 98513

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering River Ridge High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Timberline High School (rated 7.0/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lacey, see our Lacey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Meadows Elementary Lacey 0.8 mi 5.8
Nisqually Middle School Lacey 0.9 mi 3.6
Salish Middle School Lacey 1.7 mi 3.5
Olympic View Elementary Lacey 1.3 mi 7.4
Lydia Hawk Elementary Lacey 1.3 mi 6.1
Seven Oaks Elementary Lacey 2.1 mi 6.6
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 1.9 mi 7.2
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lacey 1.9 mi 6.0
Evergreen Forest Elementary Lacey 2.6 mi 6.5
PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 2.2 mi 8.0
THE PARAMOUNT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL Lacey 2.2 mi 7.6
Wa He Lut Indian School Olympia 2.4 mi 8.1
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL Lacey 2.9 mi 8.2
Woodland Elementary Lacey 3.7 mi 6.5
Lacey Elementary Lacey 3.0 mi 4.7
POPE JOHN PAUL II HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 3.0 mi 7.5
Timberline High School Lacey 4.0 mi 7.0
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Lacey 3.2 mi 7.5
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lacey 3.3 mi 6.3
Lakes Elementary School Lacey 4.2 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 98513 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$108,270

Median Home Value

$443,300

Median Rent

$1,897/mo

Population

37,953

College Educated

32.6%

Homeownership

78.9%

Avg Commute

27.7 min

Poverty Rate

9.7%

Median Age

38.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding River Ridge High School has a median household income of $108,270. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $443,300, with a median rent of $1,897/month. The local poverty rate of 9.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Cheney High School Cheney, WA 4.2
Ellensburg High School Ellensburg, WA 4.2
Federal Way High School Federal Way, WA 4.2
Marysville Pilchuck High School Marysville, WA 4.2
Ridgeline High School Liberty Lake, WA 4.2
Sedro Woolley Senior High School Sedro-Woolley, WA 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about River Ridge High School

What grades does River Ridge High School serve?

River Ridge High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend River Ridge High School?

River Ridge High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,524 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at River Ridge High School?

The student-teacher ratio at River Ridge High School is 20.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does River Ridge High School rank in WA?

River Ridge High School is ranked #2041 out of 2,225 schools in WA.

What is River Ridge High School's MySchoolScout rating?

River Ridge High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Ridge High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, River Ridge High School has 30.0% math proficiency and 68.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is River Ridge High School a charter school?

No, River Ridge High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is River Ridge High School a Title I school?

No, River Ridge High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for River Ridge High School?

47.4% of students at River Ridge High School 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
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,662/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,524
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
73
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Thurston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Thurston Public Schools
District Enrollment
15,197
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,096
District Rank
#21 of 24

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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