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Riverside Elementary School

Summary:

Riverside Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterford, Michigan, serving 317 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Waterford School District, which is ranked 378 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Riverside Elementary stands out for its higher percentage of minority students compared to nearby schools, with a student population that is 64.35% White, 14.51% African American, 15.14% Hispanic, and 2.21% Asian. However, the school consistently underperforms the district and state in M-Step test scores, with only 24.5% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 38.6% in the district and 39.6% statewide. Riverside also has a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 9.4% in 2018-2019 to 27.0% in 2022-2023, much higher than the surrounding schools.

Despite Riverside Elementary's high spending per student, at $18,683 in 2022-2023, the school's performance has been declining over the years. This suggests the need for intervention and improvement strategies, especially given the school's high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (75.08%), indicating significant socioeconomic challenges. In comparison, nearby schools like Cooley Elementary and Schoolcraft Elementary demonstrate stronger academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism rates, despite serving similar student populations.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 5280 Farm Rd
       Waterford, MI  48327-2420

(248) 674-0805

District: Waterford School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1135th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,683 Help


Students who attend Riverside Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Pierce Middle School
High:    Waterford Kettering High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.0 Help
Number of students:  317

Racial breakdown:

White:
64.4%
Hispanic:
15.1%
African American:
14.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  75.1% Help


 See top rated Michigan elementary schools

 Compare Riverside Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Riverside Elementary School ranks worse than 76.4% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks last among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.56. (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
Help
Compare Details Student population at Riverside Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (64.4%), Hispanic (15.1%), African American (14.5%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 75.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Riverside Elementary School is 14, which is the 2nd best among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Riverside Elementary School employs 22.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Riverside Elementary School is $18,683, which is the 2nd highest among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Riverside Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Riverside Elementary School 1135th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Riverside Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Waterford School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterford School District 378th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Riverside Elementary School?

Rank History for Riverside Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Riverside Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 52.91 904th 1545 41.5%
2007 50.54 992nd 1565 36.6%
2008 56.51 863rd 1577 45.3%
2009 62.30 745th 1589 53.1%
2010 64.56 700th 1552 54.9%
2011 51.04 973rd 1552 37.3%
2012 31.45 1199th 1566 23.4%
2013 45.87 920th 1563 41.1%
2014 55.05 735th 1533 52.1%
2015 35.65 1072nd 1580 32.2%
2016 46.84 838th 1548 45.9%
2017 58.57 527th 1466 64.1%
2018 52.76 744th 1448 48.6%
2019 33.46 937th 1408 33.5%
2021 32.98 777th 1153 32.6%
2022 27.95 956th 1344 28.9%
2023 33.95 938th 1470 36.2%
2024 22.56 1135th 1486 23.6%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.57 552nd 1397 60.5%
2019 36.56 756th 1134 33.3%
2021 35.93 511th 749 31.8%
2022 36.08 719th 1099 34.6%
2023 46.16 693rd 1350 48.7%
2024 27.84 1030th 1381 25.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Riverside Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.98 604th 1443 58.1%
2019 38.28 736th 1171 37.1%
2021 12.71 847th 902 6.1%
2022 26.71 854th 1106 22.8%
2023 32.62 875th 1321 33.8%
2024 28.63 980th 1342 27.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Riverside Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.42 881st 1446 39.1%
2019 15.19 1055th 1196 11.8%
2022 22.57 890th 1139 21.9%
2023 37.97 814th 1334 39.0%
2024 12.03 1213th 1347 9.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Riverside Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.55 579th 1253 53.8%
2019 34.66 762nd 1128 32.4%
2021 22.08 829th 1005 17.5%
2022 22.08 898th 1102 18.5%
2023 41.29 717th 1198 40.2%
2024 20.67 1011th 1204 16.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary 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 Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
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100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Friday, October 13, 2023

Open Quote Horrible run down building stuck in the 90s employing adults with control issues and extreme disorganization. I removed my child- 3 teachers throughout his year and his (kindergarten) classroom looked like a jail cell, the office staff do not check ID for pick ups in office, and front office staff also sent my child home with an emergency contact after speaking to me/telling me my child would be going back to class. Stay far away, this school destroyed my son’s love for school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Riverside Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 447 1 2 4 2 n/a n/a 0 456
1989 438 4 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 449
1990 482 3 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 496
1991 377 2 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 386
1992 404 2 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 412
1993 412 2 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 420
1994 387 3 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 396
1995 340 2 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 351
1996 340 2 2 7 0 n/a n/a 0 351
1997 337 4 3 7 0 n/a n/a 1 352
1998 321 2 3 6 0 n/a n/a -4 328
1999 322 4 3 7 0 n/a n/a 0 336
2000 307 2 2 8 1 n/a n/a 5 325
2001 323 2 5 5 2 n/a n/a 0 337
2002 324 4 8 9 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2003 324 4 8 9 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2004 289 5 11 18 1 n/a n/a 0 324
2005 427 9 17 17 2 n/a n/a 0 472
2006 383 10 16 22 1 n/a n/a 0 432
2007 385 11 13 23 0 n/a n/a 0 432
2008 355 10 12 24 1 n/a n/a 0 402
2009 320 23 13 23 1 n/a n/a 0 380
2010 304 25 12 35 1 n/a n/a 0 377
2011 307 27 15 38 1 0 0 0 388
2012 293 27 15 37 1 0 0 0 373
2013 270 23 20 33 1 0 1 0 348
2014 244 20 12 40 0 0 3 0 319
2015 274 54 19 76 1 0 15 0 439
2016 263 49 19 61 0 0 13 0 405
2017 262 41 21 43 0 0 17 0 384
2018 255 30 20 55 0 1 18 0 379
2019 241 37 18 51 0 0 23 0 370
2020 225 42 16 39 0 0 20 0 342
2021 209 50 12 41 0 0 20 0 332
2022 213 48 9 37 0 0 17 0 324
2023 204 46 7 48 0 0 12 0 317

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 Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 456 n/a n/a n/a
1989 449 n/a n/a 7.3
1990 496 43.0 11.5 8.7
1991 386 n/a n/a n/a
1992 412 n/a n/a 14.8
1993 420 n/a 0.0 15
1994 396 17.5 22.6 10.4
1995 351 15.5 22.6 14.2
1996 351 15.5 22.6 14.2
1997 352 16.0 22.0 14.2
1998 328 15.0 21.9 17.8
1999 336 17.0 19.8 17.3
2000 325 17.0 18.8 23.1
2001 337 18.6 18.1 26.7
2002 345 8.5 40.6 27.8
2003 345 8.5 40.6 27.8
2004 324 13.0 24.9 37
2005 472 20.1 23.5 31.8
2006 432 21.1 20.5 29.4
2007 432 21.3 20.3 35.2
2008 402 21.8 18.4 34.6
2009 380 22.4 17.0 43.2
2010 377 20.8 18.0 50.4
2011 388 25.2 15.3 56.4
2012 373 23.1 16.1 58.7
2013 348 23.5 14.8 57.2
2014 319 20.5 15.5 58
2015 439 27.0 16.2 63.3
2016 405 24.0 16.8 62.2
2017 384 26.0 14.7 61.7
2018 379 27.6 13.7 71.2
2019 370 24.5 15.0 74.1
2020 342 21.3 16.0 71.3
2021 332 19.6 16.8 69.9
2022 324 20.4 15.8 72.2
2023 317 22.5 14.0 75.1

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 Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 456 n/a n/a n/a
1989 449 n/a n/a 7.3
1990 496 43.0 11.5 8.7
1991 386 n/a n/a n/a
1992 412 n/a n/a 14.8
1993 420 n/a 0.0 15
1994 396 17.5 22.6 10.4
1995 351 15.5 22.6 14.2
1996 351 15.5 22.6 14.2
1997 352 16.0 22.0 14.2
1998 328 15.0 21.9 17.8
1999 336 17.0 19.8 17.3
2000 325 17.0 18.8 23.1
2001 337 18.6 18.1 26.7
2002 345 8.5 40.6 27.8
2003 345 8.5 40.6 27.8
2004 324 13.0 24.9 37
2005 472 20.1 23.5 31.8
2006 432 21.1 20.5 29.4
2007 432 21.3 20.3 35.2
2008 402 21.8 18.4 34.6
2009 380 22.4 17.0 43.2
2010 377 20.8 18.0 50.4
2011 388 25.2 15.3 56.4
2012 373 23.1 16.1 58.7
2013 348 23.5 14.8 57.2
2014 319 20.5 15.5 58
2015 439 27.0 16.2 63.3
2016 405 24.0 16.8 62.2
2017 384 26.0 14.7 61.7
2018 379 27.6 13.7 71.2
2019 370 24.5 15.0 74.1
2020 342 21.3 16.0 71.3
2021 332 19.6 16.8 69.9
2022 324 20.4 15.8 72.2
2023 317 22.5 14.0 75.1

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 Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,622 (13.9%) $10,061 (86.1%) $11,683
2020 $1,824 (14.8%) $10,502 (85.2%) $12,326
2021 $1,934 (15.0%) $10,974 (85.0%) $12,908
2022 $3,014 (18.8%) $13,021 (81.2%) $16,035
2023 $3,936 (21.1%) $14,746 (78.9%) $18,683

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Riverside Elementary 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 937th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 938th of 1470 Elementary schools
 2.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Elementary School)44.440.5
 3.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)44.838.6
 6.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Riverside Elementary School)38.930.6
 8.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Waterford School District)37.134.8
 2.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Elementary School)5048
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)50.943.9
 7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Riverside Elementary School)54.531.3
 23.2%
   4th Grade Math (Waterford School District)44.237.9
 6.3%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Riverside Elementary School)34.242.6
 8.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)41.946
 4.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Riverside Elementary School)18.48.5
 9.9%
   5th Grade Math (Waterford School District)28.326.7
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Riverside Elementary School)11.86.4
 5.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Waterford School District)15.114.9
 0.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students370317
 14.3%
African American3746
 24.3%
American Indian00
Asian187
 61.1%
Hispanic5148
 5.9%
Pacific Islander00
White241204
 15.4%
Two or More Races2312
 47.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients74.1%75.1%
 1%

Schools Near Riverside Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Riverside Elementary School

Riverside Elementary School ranks in the bottom 23.6% of Michigan elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 317 students attended Riverside Elementary School.

Students who attend Riverside Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Pierce Middle School
High : Waterford Kettering High School

Students at Riverside Elementary School are 64% White, 15% Hispanic, 15% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


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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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