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Riverside Elementary

Q: Is Riverside Elementary a good school?

Riverside Elementary ranks 692 nd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

692^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 North Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 54% of North Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Riverside Elementary is a very small, rural PK-5 school in Newland, North Carolina, serving about 98 students in the mountains of Avery County as part of Avery County Schools. In the most recent school year, Riverside landed at the 54th percentile of North Carolina elementary schools with 3 stars — but its history has been volatile, swinging between the bottom quarter (18th–21st percentile) and the upper half (53rd–60th percentile) over the past decade. Nearly 97% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and with roughly 20 students per grade, one strong or weak class can swing the school's ratings dramatically.

Riverside's most telling pattern is the way scores fade between 3rd and 5th grade. In 2025–2026 its 3rd-grade math proficiency (85.7%) was the highest among nearby elementary schools, even edging out the consistently excellent Banner Elk Elementary. By 5th grade, however, Riverside's math proficiency fell to 50% and reading to 40%, while Banner Elk posted 83.3% in both. Riverside's 5th-grade science rate (40%) also trailed every neighboring school. This is largely a cohort effect: the current 5th graders struggled as far back as 3rd grade, while the current 4th graders jumped from 26% to 75% math proficiency in a single year. Banner Elk has ranked in the 92nd–97th percentile for three straight years, whereas Riverside has bounced between 1-star and 3-star ratings — typical for a school this small.

Riverside also has strengths. Its 19.7% chronic absenteeism rate in 2024–2025 was better than the district (20.2%), the state (24.2%), and nearby Freedom Trail Elementary and Newland Elementary. The school has also delivered strong statewide subgroup results for economically disadvantaged students, a meaningful accomplishment given its high poverty rate. For parents, the takeaway is not to judge Riverside on a single year's rating. Because one class can shift the whole school's numbers, tracking cohort progress over time — and factoring in strengths like early-grade math and attendance — provides a far truer picture.

Students ?

14.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

96.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8020 US 19E Hwy South
Newland, NC 28657-9452

(828) 737-5600

District: Avery County Schools

Students who attend Riverside Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Cranberry Middle
High:	Avery County High

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.8%

Hispanic:

5.1%

African American:

3.1%

See top rated North Carolina elementary schools

Compare Riverside Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 60th percentile in 2016 → 54th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the North Carolina median (54th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!Science scores 28 pts below the North Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg63%

North Carolina avg61%

692^nd of 1,492

North Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 46%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 40% (2016) to top 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of North Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

102^nd of 246Avery County Schools among North Carolina districts

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

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.9	692 of 1492	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	25.1	1180 of 1490	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	56.9	635 of 1505	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.4	708 of 1502	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	21.2	1242 of 1514	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	44.1	800 of 1489	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.8	947 of 1473	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	57.8	612 of 1434	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	46.0	819 of 1429	42.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	59.6	566 of 1425	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	50.5	745 of 1440	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2014	36.1	913 of 1390	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	53.8	603 of 1403	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	60.9	582 of 1388	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	77.2	245 of 1381	82.3%	★★★★☆
2010	74.2	308 of 1363	77.4%	★★★★☆
2009	57.0	665 of 1354	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2008	56.0	620 of 1324	53.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	76.8	224 of 1293	82.7%	★★★★☆
2006	85.2	105 of 1276	91.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	59.4	552 of 1455	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	74.2	323 of 1405	77.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	71.6	294 of 1437	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	69.6	317 of 1332	76.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	71.9	341 of 1461	76.7%	★★★★☆
2019	37.0	989 of 1430	30.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	29.0	1094 of 1413	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	North Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	32.1	865 of 1146	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	10.3	1131 of 1172	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	31.8	863 of 1166	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	29.0	927 of 1183	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	7.3	1170 of 1194	2.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	23.4	976 of 1172	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.5	1107 of 1183	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	31.6	916 of 1178	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)80th percentile+27 vs school

Male (2023)77th percentile+24 vs school

Female (2024)62nd percentile+4 vs school

White (2026)25th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs North Carolina (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics72%+9 vs state

Reading53%-4 vs state

Science40%-28 vs state

★

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Schools Near Riverside Elementary

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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)				EOG Mathematics (2026)			EOG Reading (2026)			EOG Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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	EOG Mathematics 3rd Grade	EOG Mathematics 4th Grade	EOG Mathematics 5th Grade	EOG Reading 3rd Grade	EOG Reading 4th Grade	EOG Reading 5th Grade	EOG Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Riverside Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8020 US 19E Hwy South	Newland	28657	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 737-5600	98	7	14.3	96.9%	89 (90.8%)	3 (3.1%)	5 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	51.9	692^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	53.6%		25.1	1180^th of 1490 public elementary schools	20.8%	488	85.7	75.0	50.0	64.3	50.0	40.0	40.0	$12,645	$1,329	$11,316
Mitchell Elementary School	Public	3-5	5035 S 226 Hwy Ste A	Bakersville	28705	Mitchell County	Mitchell County Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(828) 766-2070	373	25	15.1	98.4%	307 (82.3%)	1 (0.3%)	55 (14.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.7%)	30.8	1075^th of 1492 public elementary schools	27.9%					(n/a)	64.3	51.1	56.6	34.8	47.4	45.5	52.5
Crossnore Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1000 Walt Clark Road	Crossnore	28616	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 737-7204	184	15	12.1	98.4%	152 (82.6%)	1 (0.5%)	27 (14.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.6%)	51.8	699^th of 1492 public elementary schools	53.2%		53.7	678^th of 1490 public elementary schools	54.5%	21	61.3	68.4	84.0	32.3	52.6	48.0	80.0	$12,666	$1,132	$11,534
Greenlee Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	2206 Carters Ridge Road	Spruce Pine	28777	Mitchell County	Mitchell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 766-9562	246	19	12.7	95.5%	194 (78.9%)	3 (1.2%)	38 (15.4%)	2 (0.8%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.8%)								(n/a)								$12,363	$1,195	$11,168
Gouge Primary	Public	PK, KG-2	134 Laurel Street	Bakersville	28705	Mitchell County	Mitchell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 766-2260	144	13	11.0	97.9%	135 (93.8%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.4%)								(n/a)								$11,440	$2,103	$9,338
Newland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	750 Linville Street	Newland	28657	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 733-4911	214	16	13.6	96.7%	121 (56.5%)	1 (0.5%)	91 (42.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	31.9	1059^th of 1492 public elementary schools	29.0%		28.5	1110^th of 1490 public elementary schools	25.5%	51	45.2	52.8	70.8	32.3	52.8	50.0	50.0	$13,995	$1,835	$12,160
Freedom Trail Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6110 North US Hwy 19E	Elk Park	28622	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 733-2932	202	15	13.0	94.1%	178 (88.1%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (8.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.0%)	61.4	557^th of 1492 public elementary schools	62.7%		64	500^th of 1490 public elementary schools	66.4%	57	84.4	74.1	68.8	68.8	48.1	43.8	50.0	$12,077	$1,306	$10,771
North Cove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	401 American Thread Road	Marion	28752	McDowell County	McDowell County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 756-4342	230	16	14.4	98.7%	174 (75.7%)	2 (0.9%)	37 (16.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.4%)	35.3	998^th of 1492 public elementary schools	33.1%		25.3	1176^th of 1490 public elementary schools	21.1%	178	60.0	36.2	73.9	40.0	44.7	47.8	82.6	$11,425	$1,369	$10,056
South Toe Elementary	Public	K-5	139 South Toe School Rd	Burnsville	28714	Yancey County	Yancey County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 675-4321	107	8	12.9	97.2%	89 (83.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (14.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.8%)	78.7	255^th of 1492 public elementary schools	82.9%		52.8	694^th of 1490 public elementary schools	53.4%	439	72.7	78.3	73.7	81.8	69.6	63.2	73.7	$12,329	$1,937	$10,392
Banner Elk Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	155 Orchard Lane	Banner Elk	28604	Avery County	Avery County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(828) 737-5700	159	10	15.3	92.5%	139 (87.4%)	2 (1.3%)	14 (8.8%)	4 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	89.9	114^th of 1492 public elementary schools	92.4%		90.5	104^th of 1490 public elementary schools	93.0%	10	81.0	90.0	83.3	81.0	83.3	83.3	72.2	$11,831	$1,739	$10,092

Frequently Asked Questions about Riverside Elementary

How many students attend Riverside Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 98 students attended Riverside Elementary.

What district is Riverside Elementary in?

Avery County Schools

Is Riverside Elementary a good school?

Riverside Elementary ranks 692^nd of 1492 North Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Riverside Elementary attend?

Students who attend Riverside Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Cranberry Middle
High : Avery County High

What is the racial makeup of Riverside Elementary?

Students at Riverside Elementary are 91% White, 5% Hispanic, 3% African American, 1% Two or more races.

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NCNorth Carolina Elementary School Rankings

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Schools in Newland, NC

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Latest North Carolina data All new data »

2017–18 through 2025–26 attendance data & graduation ratesNewSep 2, 2026

2025–26 EOC & EOG test scoresNewSep 2, 2026

2016–17 through 2024–25 graduation ratesSep 3, 2025

2024–25 EOC & EOG test scoresSep 3, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the North Carolina Dept of Public Instruction.

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.