Riverside Middle School

Summary:

Riverside Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving 248 students in grades 6-8. The school has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup that is significantly different from the surrounding area, including a much higher percentage of African American and Hispanic students.

Riverside Middle School faces significant challenges, consistently performing well below state and district averages in academic proficiency. Only 6.3% of 7th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 37.9% at the state level and 24.8% in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district. The school also has an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 42.8% to 65.5% in recent years, much higher than the state and district averages. Additionally, 89.11% of Riverside Middle School students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a predominantly economically disadvantaged population.

Despite the school's challenges, it is located in close proximity to several higher-performing middle schools, such as Highlands School and Northern Hills Middle School, which are part of the Northview Public Schools and Forest Hills Public Schools districts, respectively. This suggests potential opportunities for collaboration, resource-sharing, or learning from the practices of these higher-performing schools. Addressing the specific needs of underperforming subgroups, improving attendance, and effectively utilizing the school's relatively high per-student spending could be key focus areas for Riverside Middle School's leadership and the broader community.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 265 Eleanor St NE
       Grand Rapids, MI  49505-4069


(616) 819-2969

District: Grand Rapids Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
887th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $20,889 Help


Students who attend Riverside Middle School usually attend:

High:    City MiddleHigh
    Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
    Innovation Central High
    Union High School

Feeder schools for Riverside Middle School:

Elementary:    Aberdeen Academy
    Coit Creative Arts Academy
    East Leonard Elementary
    Kent Hills Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  15.5 Help
Number of students:  248

Racial breakdown:

African American:
52.8%
Hispanic:
19.8%
White:
16.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  89.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Riverside Middle School ranks worse than 98.9% of middle schools in Michigan. It also ranks 2nd among 5 ranked middle schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 4.64. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Riverside Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (52.8%), Hispanic (19.8%), White (16.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 89.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Riverside Middle School is 15.5, which is the 2nd best among 5 middle schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Riverside Middle School employs 16 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Riverside Middle School is $20,889, which is the 2nd highest among 5 middle schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Riverside Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Riverside Middle School 887th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Riverside Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:


Grand Rapids Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Grand Rapids Public Schools 471st of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Riverside Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 8.96 760th 806 5.7%
2007 8.45 774th 823 6.0%
2008 9.06 784th 839 6.6%
2009 5.91 810th 847 4.4%
2010 9.16 803rd 851 5.6%
2011 6.14 820th 858 4.4%
2012 9.66 845th 900 6.1%
2013 8.49 867th 919 5.7%
2014 9.28 850th 921 7.7%
2015 11.53 813th 919 11.5%
2016 11.64 785th 894 12.2%
2017 8.06 774th 821 5.7%
2018 15.45 741st 838 11.6%
2019 5.26 770th 792 2.8%
2022 8.77 737th 776 5.0%
2023 11.95 782nd 883 11.4%
2024 4.64 887th 897 1.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.63 122nd 156 21.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 44.70 69th 154 55.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.26 351st 377 6.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.65 676th 815 17.1%
2019 7.37 650th 672 3.3%
2022 12.74 645th 691 6.7%
2023 14.68 733rd 825 11.2%
2024 4.81 830th 836 0.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.97 686th 794 13.6%
2023 12.02 695th 770 9.7%
2024 3.35 771st 771 0.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.08 673rd 797 15.6%
2022 8.71 628th 658 4.6%
2023 11.41 706th 776 9.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.83 234th 366 36.1%
2023 23.26 241st 310 22.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.10 226th 266 15.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Riverside Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 25.58 534th 688 22.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Riverside Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Riverside Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 386 158 8 15 9 n/a n/a 0 576
1989 376 139 4 18 5 n/a n/a 0 542
1990 384 166 3 22 4 n/a n/a 0 579
1991 625 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 625
1992 401 231 6 33 6 n/a n/a 0 677
1993 342 266 8 36 9 n/a n/a 0 661
1995 353 266 4 98 18 n/a n/a 0 739
1996 353 266 4 98 18 n/a n/a 0 739
1997 320 201 8 76 18 n/a n/a 0 623
1998 306 182 4 82 15 n/a n/a 0 589
1999 253 172 7 93 9 n/a n/a 0 534
2000 271 194 6 105 10 n/a n/a 0 586
2001 282 222 5 105 14 n/a n/a 0 628
2002 352 205 9 118 11 n/a n/a 0 695
2003 352 205 9 118 11 n/a n/a 0 695
2004 269 232 5 68 17 n/a n/a 0 591
2005 218 209 5 53 8 n/a n/a 55 548
2006 176 192 4 52 7 n/a n/a 53 484
2007 156 345 6 95 4 n/a n/a 66 672
2008 117 293 4 89 4 n/a n/a 72 579
2009 86 267 2 82 5 n/a n/a 73 515
2010 87 247 3 7 4 n/a n/a 135 483
2011 81 268 3 88 1 0 49 0 490
2012 83 199 4 87 1 1 44 0 419
2013 81 162 4 93 2 1 43 0 386
2014 61 136 3 79 0 3 23 0 305
2015 37 122 1 51 1 2 24 0 238
2016 35 109 3 51 1 0 31 0 230
2017 36 114 1 36 1 0 24 0 212
2018 27 133 3 43 1 0 37 0 244
2019 38 116 3 47 0 0 35 0 239
2020 33 119 4 60 0 0 21 0 237
2021 36 124 1 47 0 0 19 0 227
2022 33 108 0 40 0 0 24 0 205
2023 41 131 2 49 1 0 24 0 248

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Riverside Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 576 n/a n/a n/a
1989 542 n/a n/a 36.7
1990 579 34.0 17.0 31.8
1991 625 n/a n/a n/a
1992 677 n/a n/a 51.4
1993 661 n/a 0.0 60.7
1995 739 32.3 22.9 63.5
1996 739 32.3 22.9 63.5
1997 623 37.0 16.8 54.9
1998 589 36.0 16.4 63.2
1999 534 30.0 17.8 66.5
2000 586 39.5 14.8 78.2
2001 628 21.2 29.6 73.7
2002 695 41.5 16.7 69.9
2003 695 41.5 16.7 69.9
2004 591 40.7 14.5 71.7
2005 548 34.7 15.8 87.6
2006 484 33.8 14.3 92.8
2007 672 45.2 14.9 98.8
2008 579 44.5 13.0 100.6
2009 515 38.6 13.3 106.3
2010 483 33.0 14.6 130.5
2011 490 29.9 16.3 94.5
2012 419 29.7 14.1 94.7
2013 386 23.2 16.6 92
2014 305 21.4 14.2 91.8
2015 238 21.0 11.3 89.9
2016 230 16.0 14.3 88.7
2017 212 14.5 14.6 86.3
2018 244 16.5 14.7 86.5
2019 239 19.2 12.4 86.2
2020 237 16.5 14.3 88.6
2021 227 16.6 13.6 94.3
2022 205 18.0 11.3 93.7
2023 248 16.0 15.5 89.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Riverside Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 576 n/a n/a n/a
1989 542 n/a n/a 36.7
1990 579 34.0 17.0 31.8
1991 625 n/a n/a n/a
1992 677 n/a n/a 51.4
1993 661 n/a 0.0 60.7
1995 739 32.3 22.9 63.5
1996 739 32.3 22.9 63.5
1997 623 37.0 16.8 54.9
1998 589 36.0 16.4 63.2
1999 534 30.0 17.8 66.5
2000 586 39.5 14.8 78.2
2001 628 21.2 29.6 73.7
2002 695 41.5 16.7 69.9
2003 695 41.5 16.7 69.9
2004 591 40.7 14.5 71.7
2005 548 34.7 15.8 87.6
2006 484 33.8 14.3 92.8
2007 672 45.2 14.9 98.8
2008 579 44.5 13.0 100.6
2009 515 38.6 13.3 106.3
2010 483 33.0 14.6 130.5
2011 490 29.9 16.3 94.5
2012 419 29.7 14.1 94.7
2013 386 23.2 16.6 92
2014 305 21.4 14.2 91.8
2015 238 21.0 11.3 89.9
2016 230 16.0 14.3 88.7
2017 212 14.5 14.6 86.3
2018 244 16.5 14.7 86.5
2019 239 19.2 12.4 86.2
2020 237 16.5 14.3 88.6
2021 227 16.6 13.6 94.3
2022 205 18.0 11.3 93.7
2023 248 16.0 15.5 89.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Riverside Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $3,268 (20.4%) $12,761 (79.6%) $16,029
2020 $2,051 (12.9%) $13,804 (87.1%) $15,855
2021 $3,315 (19.8%) $13,395 (80.2%) $16,710
2022 $4,180 (17.4%) $19,795 (82.6%) $23,974
2023 $5,346 (25.6%) $15,542 (74.4%) $20,889

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Riverside Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 770th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 782nd of 883 Middle schools
 8.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Middle School)6.119
 12.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Grand Rapids Public Schools)24.926
 1.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Middle School)1112.5
 1.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Grand Rapids Public Schools)23.924.4
 0.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Middle School)30.629.6
 1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Grand Rapids Public Schools)43.143.3
 0.2%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Riverside Middle School)12.515.5
 3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Grand Rapids Public Schools)23.418.9
 4.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students239248
 3.8%
African American116131
 12.9%
American Indian01
Asian32
 33.3%
Hispanic4749
 4.3%
Pacific Islander00
White3841
 7.9%
Two or More Races3524
 31.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients86.2%89.1%
 2.9%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Riverside Middle School

Students at Riverside Middle School are 53% African American, 20% Hispanic, 17% White, 10% Two or more races.

Students who attend Riverside Middle School usually go on to attend City MiddleHigh

Riverside Middle School ranks in the bottom 1.1% of Michigan middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 248 students attended Riverside Middle School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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