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St. Mary's Parish Church BuildingsSt. Mary's Parish Church Buildings · Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 3.0
C−
Schools in Riverside · Highland Community School District

Riverside’s public schools score below 78% of Iowa districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Riverside, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Iowa, not nationally.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Iowa state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
62%
▼ 8 pts vs IA 70%
2021–22
Math proficiency
65%
▲ 1 pts vs IA 64%
2021–22
Spent per student
$12.9K
▼ 6% vs IA $13.7K
FY2024
Students per teacher
11.2
IA 14.1 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
510 students on the public path
In brief

Riverside’s schools, in brief

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 62% and math 65% in spring 2022, against 70% and 64% statewide. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,889 per student, against $13,713 across Iowa (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Highland Middle School, then Highland High School. Enrollment is down 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Riverside’s grade

C− Test scores

C−: better than 22% of Iowa school districts. Test scores are below the Iowa average; there is no graduation rate to add.

Iowa school districts we grade (326)Better than 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Iowa towns with similar household incomes (494)Better than 19%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 359 test results could put Riverside anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Riverside’s students in the tested grades sat them (359 in math, 359 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Riverside, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Highland Elementary SchoolHighland Community School DistrictC
6–8Highland Middle SchoolHighland Community School DistrictB−
9–12Highland High SchoolHighland Community School DistrictB+

Riverside’s public schools are run by Highland Community School District, which also serves Ainsworth. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Highland Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 510 students, down 12% since 2020–21 · 11.2 per teacher (IA 14.1)
$12,889IA $13,713 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading62%
State average 69.7% · 359 students tested
Math65%
State average 63.8% · 359 students tested

Riverside vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Iowa towns that share Riverside’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
RiversideC−Highland

Every school in Riverside

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Iowa’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Riversideby address
Highland Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
242 students12:1Rate it →
Also serving Riversidein other towns
Highland Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
119 students11:1Rate it →
Highland High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
149 students10:1Rate it →

Questions about Riverside’s schools

Are Riverside’s schools good?

On Iowa’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Riverside children attend score below 78% of Iowa’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Riverside in?

Highland Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 510 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do Riverside kids go to high school?

Highland High School, with 149 students; its own test results earn a B+.

How much does Riverside spend per student?

$12,889 in Highland Community School District (FY2024), against $13,713 across Iowa. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Riverside families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Riverside → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Iowa. Stars are from neighbors.