The top reported proficiency rate is 47% in Science. The lowest is 31% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Riverside Intermediate
Riverside Intermediate serves fifth and sixth graders in Plymouth, Indiana, as part of the Plymouth Community School Corporation. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it sits within a small city that functions as the county seat of Marshall County. Plymouth has a traditional downtown anchored by the courthouse, a historic district, and a mix of manufacturing employers. The city is more diverse than many small Indiana towns, and that diversity is reflected in the school’s student body, where a substantial share of students are Hispanic or Latino and the remainder are predominantly white.
The school’s enrollment is moderate for a two-grade intermediate school. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places the school in a context where economic need is a significant factor. The school serves only fifth and sixth grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and no high school course access data applies here.
On state assessments, Riverside Intermediate’s results are mixed. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above was below the midpoint among districts in Marshall County. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was lower still. Science results were stronger, with a higher share of students meeting the proficiency bar. Social studies results, which are tested only in fifth grade, fell between the math and ELA figures. The school’s overall proficiency index, which averages results across all tested subjects and grades, placed it in the bottom quartile relative to other districts in Marshall County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school to understand how the curriculum and support structures address these outcomes.
The school’s enrollment is split roughly evenly between fifth and sixth graders. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Hispanic or Latino population and a very small number of students who are Black or identify as two or more races. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the provided records, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those populations and the supports in place.
Plymouth itself is a small city with a traditional downtown anchored by the county courthouse. It has a modest growth rate and a housing market where home values are below the state benchmark. The city’s economy is built around manufacturing, with several national headquarters located there. The downtown has a historic district, a park square that hosts a farmer’s market and festivals, and a public library. Street life is quiet outside of market mornings and festival weekends. The school is within the city’s footprint rather than on a remote campus, consistent with a small-town layout.
The district brief turned up no recent major changes such as referendums, bond issues, or curriculum shifts that would be of immediate note to a parent. That absence suggests a period of stability, though a parent may want to check directly with the district for any upcoming plans.
For a family considering Riverside Intermediate, the picture is one of a school serving a diverse, economically mixed community in a small manufacturing city. The academic results on state tests are below the county median, particularly in English language arts and math, while science stands as a relative bright spot. The school’s size is manageable, and its grade band means students are in a transitional period between elementary and middle school. A parent looking at this school will want to understand what academic interventions and enrichment are in place, and how the school supports students who are not yet meeting proficiency benchmarks. The community context is stable, with modest growth and a downtown that provides civic anchors but not a bustling street life.
See more original research from School Decision →