How strong are the public elementary schools in Riverside?
With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.
Phillip M. Stokoe Elementary School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Riverside, rising from a C- to a C+, according to data from Niche.
For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 4501 Ambs Drive, enrolls 707 students. Phillip M. Stokoe Elementary School serves a diverse population: 78% of students identify as Hispanic. Niche graded the school a C for academics (on an A-D scale).
The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.
Academically, 22% of Phillip M. Stokoe Elementary School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 30% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 31% in math and 41% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 11% more than the city average.
It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Mark Twain Elementary School saw its overall rating increase from a B+ to an A-. The school is located at 19411 Krameria Ave. and is a bit larger, currently serving 1,113 students, of whom 41% identify as Hispanic, 36% identify as white and 11% identify as Asian.
Niche graded Mark Twain Elementary School a B+ for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 52%, and reading proficiency was 59%.
Jefferson Elementary School also improved, from B- to B. The school is located at 4285 Jefferson St. and has 1,015 students currently enrolled, of whom 82% identify as Hispanic.
Niche graded Jefferson Elementary School a B- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 32%, and reading proficiency was 42%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
While some public elementary schools in Riverside are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:
- John F. Kennedy Elementary School, with an overall rating of A-.
- Lake Mathews Elementary School, with an A- rating overall.
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, rated A- overall.
Want more of the latest intel on Riverside schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public middle schools.
This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.
