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River Valley Charter School

Q: Is River Valley Charter School a good school?

River Valley Charter School ranks 389 th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

389^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 899 Massachusetts Elementary Schools

Better than 57% of Massachusetts elementary schools

Summary

River Valley Charter School is a small K–8 charter school serving 288 students in Newburyport, MA, and it operates as its own district, River Valley Charter (District), which ranks 96th of 351 Massachusetts districts (73rd percentile, 4 stars) — in line with Newburyport and ahead of Triton, Pentucket, and Amesbury. At the school level, River Valley Charter School ranks 389th of 899 schools (57th percentile, 3 stars), placing it below Pine Grove, Newbury Elementary, and Dr John C Page School.

Reading and science are clear strengths. On 2025–2026 MCAS tests, 63.16% of students met expectations in English language arts (state: 40.03%) — the highest all-grade ELA rate among nearby schools, ahead of Pine Grove (61.23%) and Newbury Elementary (59.72%). Science proficiency was 73.44% (state: 40.98%), second locally only to Pine Grove. Grades 7–8 are exceptionally strong: 7th grade ELA 84.38%, 8th grade ELA 78.79%, 8th grade math 81.82%, and 8th grade science 81.82%. Because most nearby schools end at grade 5 or 6, these upper-grade results have no direct local comparison — and they are a big reason the district earns 4 stars even though the school ranks 3 stars.

Math is the clearest weakness, concentrated in grades 3–6: 3rd grade 33.33%, 4th grade 23.33%, and 5th and 6th grade 32.26% each. River Valley's all-grade math (45.79%) trails Francis T Bresnahan Elementary, Pine Grove, Dr John C Page School, and Newbury Elementary. ELA and science have improved recently, while math has stayed roughly flat. The student–teacher ratio of 11.4 is mid-range for the area, and free/reduced-lunch data were not available, so economic comparisons are not possible.

288

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,073

Per pupil spending ?

9.7%

Directly certified for free meals (2021-22) ?

All students in Massachusetts receive free school meals.

2 Perry Way
Newburyport, MA 01950

(978) 465-0065

District: River Valley Charter (District)

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.4%

Two or more races:

6.9%

Hispanic:

6.6%

See top rated Massachusetts elementary schools

Compare River Valley Charter School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 40th percentile in 2016 → 57th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Massachusetts average (59% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Massachusetts median (57th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg59%

Massachusetts avg41%

Elementary school

389^th of 899

Massachusetts public elementary schools ?

Top 43%▲ up 16 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to top 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

64^th of 478

Massachusetts public middle schools ?

Top 13%▲ up 8 pts since 2016

From top 21% (2016) to top 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Massachusetts Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

96^th of 351River Valley Charter (District) among Massachusetts districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	56.6	389 of 899	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.2	373 of 906	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.9	482 of 916	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.2	388 of 928	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.3	350 of 932	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	68.6	290 of 936	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.0	600 of 942	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	48.0	518 of 934	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.9	531 of 938	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.9	555 of 932	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	61.6	364 of 914	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	58.5	425 of 926	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2013	60.8	400 of 928	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.9	462 of 930	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	56.8	439 of 924	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.9	412 of 920	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	62.2	372 of 909	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	69.6	285 of 908	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	65.1	338 of 911	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2006	61.4	367 of 911	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2005	50.8	464 of 887	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2004	62.1	362 of 882	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2003	61.6	377 of 884	57.4%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2019	46.5	314 of 665	52.8%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	45.3	468 of 869	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	54.1	400 of 869	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	36.9	560 of 886	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.4	395 of 887	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.5	429 of 901	52.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	61.1	348 of 898	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.1	585 of 902	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.6	518 of 893	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	64.1	308 of 879	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.2	336 of 884	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.4	379 of 891	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.9	370 of 896	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.5	242 of 908	73.3%	★★★★☆
2021	74.3	233 of 904	74.2%	★★★★☆
2019	36.3	607 of 907	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	53.7	435 of 898	51.6%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2023	71.4	145 of 703	79.4%	★★★★☆
2022	52.4	398 of 905	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.5	460 of 894	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.9	698 of 896	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.2	795 of 886	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	68.7	288 of 925	68.9%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	44.5	427 of 734	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	43.7	435 of 737	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.6	546 of 753	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	44.8	437 of 762	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	49.4	410 of 764	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	53.8	344 of 765	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	28.6	619 of 780	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.6	557 of 772	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	87.0	64 of 478	86.6%	★★★★☆
2025	89.6	58 of 484	88.0%	★★★★☆
2024	72.4	120 of 493	75.7%	★★★★☆
2023	87.0	65 of 501	87.0%	★★★★☆
2022	79.2	94 of 497	81.1%	★★★★☆
2021	80.1	83 of 501	83.4%	★★★★☆
2019	78.0	108 of 498	78.3%	★★★★☆
2018	80.2	89 of 484	81.6%	★★★★☆
2017	83.9	64 of 487	86.9%	★★★★☆
2016	75.5	103 of 482	78.6%	★★★★☆
2015	76.8	99 of 441	77.6%	★★★★☆
2014	73.4	123 of 455	73.0%	★★★★☆
2013	80.2	79 of 455	82.6%	★★★★☆
2012	86.2	45 of 455	90.1%	★★★★★
2011	79.2	85 of 449	81.1%	★★★★☆
2010	87.3	38 of 434	91.2%	★★★★★
2009	72.3	122 of 409	70.2%	★★★★☆
2008	72.5	111 of 407	72.7%	★★★★☆
2007	69.0	126 of 399	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	75.6	95 of 399	76.2%	★★★★☆
2005	61.0	145 of 356	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	68.5	114 of 344	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2003	77.8	79 of 339	76.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	82.5	77 of 468	83.5%	★★★★☆
2025	88.8	53 of 473	88.8%	★★★★☆
2024	76.2	104 of 481	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	80.1	87 of 489	82.2%	★★★★☆
2022	69.4	131 of 494	73.5%	★★★★☆
2021	70.7	126 of 483	73.9%	★★★★☆
2019	73.2	125 of 478	73.8%	★★★★☆
2018	84.2	62 of 463	86.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	89.4	51 of 470	89.1%	★★★★☆
2025	87.4	59 of 473	87.5%	★★★★☆
2024	45.6	241 of 483	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	84.0	72 of 489	85.3%	★★★★☆
2022	84.9	68 of 497	86.3%	★★★★☆
2021	82.1	74 of 485	84.7%	★★★★☆
2019	81.6	86 of 478	82.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	98.9	7 of 436	98.4%	★★★★★
2021	65.1	111 of 489	77.3%	★★★★☆

Tested In Person

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2021	81.5	75 of 491	84.7%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Massachusetts percentile	Rating
2026	82.7	63 of 393	84.0%	★★★★☆
2025	81.5	65 of 386	83.2%	★★★★☆
2024	57.4	148 of 392	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	77.3	73 of 403	81.9%	★★★★☆
2022	72.8	88 of 404	78.2%	★★★★☆
2021	66.9	108 of 401	73.1%	★★★★☆
2019	74.4	90 of 396	77.3%	★★★★☆
2018	74.8	77 of 395	80.5%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Special Education (2023)79th percentile+21 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)69th percentile~ school

Male (2026)65th percentile+8 vs school

Disabled (2019)53rd percentile+16 vs school

Female (2026)46th percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)42nd percentile-15 vs school

Middle school

Special Education (2026)98th percentile+12 vs school

Male (2026)89th percentile+3 vs school

Tested In Person (2021)85th percentile~ school

White (2026)84th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)84th percentile-3 vs school

By subject vs Massachusetts (2025-2026) ?

Civics79%+39 vs state

Science73%+32 vs state

English Language Arts63%+23 vs state

Mathematics46%+5 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, August 18, 2014

My experience at RVCS was 'eye-opening'. I had a child enter at the kinderhaus level (wonderful experience-truly Montessorian!) and a child enter at the end of E2 (6th grade). I went with the expectation that there is absolutely no bullying at this school ,repectful and supportive students, with small intimate classrooms, low teacher/ child ratio, supportive and open thinking, etc. Instead we experienced bullying from the first week (being an outsider moving into a classroom with children of 2/3 years together). We found ourselves moving into an 'opening' made by several other students who had left before us due to the unaddressed bullying in the classroom. By the last month of school, I removed my child when the harassment was unavoidable and both the teach and administration refused to acknowledge the situation. As well my child has an IEP that even though the special education department tried to comply, the teacher refused to impliment in the classroom (did not work with how they saw the classroom functioning) and when the administration was brought in, they chose to back the teachers decision to not comply.

Finally,after speaking with many other parents who had almost identical experiences, I came to realize that children who are bullied at this charter simply choose to leave and go into the public school because it is easier than the fight! We all agree that the 3 year program contribute to creating a 'heirarche' or 'pecking order' for the children. Each classroom is it's own island and each class handles 'Montessori theory' as they see fit. This makes moving children around very difficult (if there is a harassment problem).It's easier to ignore it than move children into different classrooms (at least for the teachers and administration).

This story can go on and on, but my final decision was to remove my children and fight this school via the state. The process continues but the State has found the school to be in violation of State and Federal Bullying Laws and Regulation. It is now on the school to show a change. I have my doubts. As well, I continue to fight for change concerning special education at the school but as I was forced to remove my daughter for her safety regarding the bullying, the State felt calling them in much earlier for her IEP violations would have been helpful. I would just like other parents considering entering this school to be aware of the shortcomings I was not made aware of when I was making the decision to attend River Valley. Now I know.
This school is not anywhere close to 'safe' from bullying issues, nor is it a good school for children with special education needs. Please be aware!!! Close Quote

Schools Near River Valley Charter School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts (2026)							MCAS Next Generation Mathematics (2026)							MCAS Next Generation Science (2026)			MCAS Next Generation Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 6th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 7th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation English Language Arts All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 3rd Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 4th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 6th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 7th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Mathematics All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Science 5th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science 8th Grade	MCAS Next Generation Science All Grades	MCAS Next Generation Civics 8th Grade	Total
River Valley Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	2 Perry Way	Newburyport	01950	Essex County	River Valley Charter (District)	Yes	No	No	Yes	(978) 465-0065	288	25	11.4	—	243 (84.4%)	2 (0.7%)	19 (6.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	20 (6.9%)	56.6	389^th of 899 public elementary schools	56.7%		58.2	373^rd of 906 public elementary schools	58.8%	16	54.6	56.7	51.6	51.6	84.4	78.8	63.2	33.3	23.3	32.3	32.3	68.8	81.8	45.8	64.5	81.8	73.4	78.8	$18,073
Edward G. Molin Elementary School	Public	4-5	70 Low Street	Newburyport	01950	Essex County	Newburyport	No	No	No	No	(978) 463-8212	310	33	9.4	13.9%	275 (88.7%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (5.2%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.2%)	52.4	429^th of 899 public elementary schools	52.3%		61.9	348^th of 906 public elementary schools	61.6%	81		36.7	42.0				39.3		43.0	41.4				42.2	46.0		46.0		$22,856
Francis T Bresnahan Elementary	Public	PK, KG-3	333 High Street	Newburyport	01950	Essex County	Newburyport	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 465-4431	584	61	9.5	13.5%	514 (88.0%)	4 (0.7%)	42 (7.2%)	7 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.9%)								(n/a)	59.5						59.5	63.3						63.3					$22,768
Newbury Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	63 Hanover Street	Newbury	01951	Essex County	Triton	No	No	No	No	(978) 465-5353	424	40	10.7	20.5%	380 (89.6%)	3 (0.7%)	21 (5.0%)	7 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.8%)	81	161^st of 899 public elementary schools	82.1%		78.1	202^nd of 906 public elementary schools	77.7%	41	57.1	53.1	57.7	72.3			59.7	60.9	55.1	44.2	74.5			58.5	71.2		71.2		$25,101
Salisbury Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	100 Lafayette Rd.	Salisbury	01952	Essex County	Triton	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 463-5852	386	43	9.0	44.3%	314 (81.3%)	13 (3.4%)	39 (10.1%)	9 (2.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	60.4	355^th of 899 public elementary schools	60.5%		49.3	461^st of 906 public elementary schools	49.1%	106	46.5	50.0	41.0	38.8			43.6	40.9	52.2	41.0	52.2			47.5	56.4		56.4		$25,374
Dr John C Page School	Public	PK, KG-6	694 Main Street	West Newbury	01985	Essex County	Pentucket	No	No	No	No	(978) 363-2671	327	28	11.7	5.5%	299 (91.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.8%)	74	232^nd of 899 public elementary schools	74.2%		83.4	140^th of 906 public elementary schools	84.5%	92	37.8	57.5	61.3	56.9			53.0	29.6	57.8	80.7	72.4			59.6	67.7		67.7		$19,852
Shay Elementary	Public	PK, KG-2	193R Lions Mouth Road	Amesbury	01913	Essex County	Amesbury	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 388-3659	485	41	11.9	31.1%	389 (80.2%)	15 (3.1%)	62 (12.8%)	4 (0.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.7%)								(n/a)																			$21,626
Charles C Cashman Elementary	Public	3-5	193 Lions Mouth Road	Amesbury	01913	Essex County	Amesbury	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 388-4407	413	34	12.3	34.9%	334 (80.9%)	5 (1.2%)	61 (14.8%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.2%)	44.7	494^th of 899 public elementary schools	45.1%		38.2	569^th of 906 public elementary schools	37.2%	75	53.2	36.7	33.3				41.3	40.3	36.4	29.0				35.2	39.9		39.9		$21,551
Helen R Donaghue School	Public	3-6	24 Union Street Ext.	Merrimac	01860	Essex County	Pentucket	No	No	No	Yes	(978) 346-8921	262	23	11.2	18.7%	230 (87.8%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (9.2%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.3%)	55.2	398^th of 899 public elementary schools	55.7%		58.1	374^th of 906 public elementary schools	58.7%	24	46.8	40.9	42.6	45.9			44.0	42.2	47.9	41.1	47.5			44.8	37.5		37.5		$19,030
Pine Grove	Public	PK, KG-6	191 Main Street	Rowley	01969	Essex County	Triton	No	No	No	No	(978) 948-2520	429	38	11.2	19.3%	395 (92.1%)	2 (0.5%)	16 (3.7%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	83.6	139^th of 899 public elementary schools	84.5%		81.9	161^st of 906 public elementary schools	82.2%	22	62.5	54.4	76.3	57.9			61.2	60.6	50.0	79.0	66.7			62.0	81.6		81.6		$23,123

Frequently Asked Questions about River Valley Charter School

How many students attend River Valley Charter School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 288 students attended River Valley Charter School.

What district is River Valley Charter School in?

River Valley Charter (District)

Is River Valley Charter School a good school?

River Valley Charter School ranks 389^th of 899 Massachusetts elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of River Valley Charter School?

Students at River Valley Charter School are 84% White, 7% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic.

Rate River Valley Charter School!

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Latest Massachusetts data All new data »

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2024–25 MCAS Next Generation test scoresSep 29, 2025

2023–24 school spending dataMay 8, 2025

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesMay 1, 2025

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