Riverview Elementary

Riverview Elementary is a PK-5 school in Baltimore, MD, serving 552 students within the Baltimore County Public Schools district, where over 80% of students come from low socio-economic status (SES) households. The school faces significant challenges, including a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 31.3% for the 2024-2025 school year, which is notably higher than nearby Halethorpe Elementary (12.0%) and the district average (25.6%). Academically, Riverview ranks in the 15th percentile statewide (1-star rating), with math proficiency at 15.9% and ELA proficiency at 22.5%—both well below state averages of 27.1% and 51.7%, respectively. However, a bright spot is its subgroup ranking for low-SES students, which is in the 57th percentile (3-star rating), suggesting relative effectiveness in supporting this population compared to other schools statewide.

Comparing Riverview to Halethorpe Elementary, just 1.6 miles away, reveals a stark contrast despite similar demographics. Halethorpe, with a lower poverty rate (64.84% FRL), ranks in the 42nd percentile (2-star rating) and achieves nearly double the proficiency in math (26.7%) and ELA (40.6%). Key differences include Halethorpe’s lower chronic absenteeism (12.0%), a smaller student-teacher ratio (10.7 vs. 14.7), and significantly higher per-student spending ($26,659 vs. $18,784). This suggests that targeted investments in resources and attendance could be powerful levers for improvement at Riverview. Meanwhile, Lakeland Elementary/Middle in Baltimore City Public Schools, just 1.3 miles away, outperforms Riverview with a 47th percentile ranking and proficiency rates (Math: 24.3%, ELA: 42.8%) that surpass Baltimore County averages, demonstrating that strong school-level leadership can overcome district challenges.

Riverview’s ELA proficiency has shown a positive upward trend, rising from 15.7% in 2022-2023 to 22.5% in 2025-2026, indicating potential progress. In contrast, math proficiency has remained stagnant, hovering between 8.3% and 15.9% over the same period, highlighting an acute need for targeted math interventions. The school’s per-student spending of $18,784 is lower than most nearby schools, including Overlook Elementary ($20,872) and Halethorpe Elementary ($26,659), which is a concern given the high level of need. For parents, Riverview offers a dedicated focus on supporting low-SES students, but the school’s high absenteeism and low overall performance suggest that addressing attendance and boosting math instruction are critical areas for improvement.