Summary:
The Crestwood School District contains one middle school, Riverside Middle School, which serves grades 5 through 8 and enrolls 1,139 students in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Riverside Middle School is a high-poverty school—nearly 72% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—yet it shows genuine signs of progress. The school has climbed from the 35th to the 50th percentile in state rankings over three years, earning a 3-star rating. The most dramatic success is in 6th-grade math, where proficiency surged by 14.9 points to 40.1%, now exceeding the state average by 8.2 points. Eighth-grade PSAT ELA also beats the state average (65.8% vs. 64.8%), and chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 20.3% compared to the state's 27.9%—a bright spot given the poverty level. However, challenges remain. Social studies is the school's biggest weakness, trailing the state by 16-17 points in both 5th and 8th grades. Science gaps widen as students advance, with 8th-grade science 13 points below state averages. A "7th-grade slump" appears in both ELA and math, with proficiency dropping well below state levels in consecutive years.
For parents, the picture is mixed but hopeful. The school spends a substantial $16,007 per student with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, yet outcomes vary widely by subject and grade. The dramatic 6th-grade math improvement and strong PSAT ELA scores suggest targeted interventions can work. The persistent social studies deficit and 7th-grade decline point to areas needing attention. With an improving trajectory, above-average resources, and strong attendance, Riverside Middle School appears to be a school on the rise, though parents should be aware of the specific academic gaps that still need addressing.
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