The top reported proficiency rate is 83% in Social studies. The lowest is 51% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on River Ridge Elementary
River Ridge Elementary is a regular public school in Patch Grove, a very small rural village in southwestern Wisconsin. It serves children from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade. The school sits along the main highway through town, not on a separated campus, and the village itself is a tiny crossroads community with a population that has been declining slightly in recent years. Housing is predominantly single-family detached homes with some mobile homes; the village has no major employers and minimal commercial activity. For families considering this area, the school is the elementary anchor for the River Ridge School District, which also houses the combined high school and middle school in Patch Grove.
Academically, River Ridge Elementary performs at a level that is above the midpoint among the school districts in Grant County when looking at overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. In the most recent state testing, math proficiency was stronger in fourth grade than in third, and both grades showed a solid majority of students meeting or exceeding expectations. English language arts proficiency was somewhat lower, with about half of third graders and roughly three-fifths of fourth graders reaching the proficient mark. Science, tested in fourth grade, showed just over half of students proficient. Social studies, also tested in fourth grade, was a clear standout with the large majority of students scoring proficient or above. These results give a picture of a school where many students are on track, though a parent may want to look into the reading and science numbers further with the school to understand how the curriculum supports those areas. Because the school only goes through fourth grade, there is no high school graduation rate to report, and state testing data is limited to the grades that are assessed.
The student body is small in size for an elementary school and overwhelmingly white, with a modest Hispanic population and very small numbers of students from other racial backgrounds. About half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a moderate level of economic need in the community. Information about students with disabilities and English learners was not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports. The school reported no chronic absenteeism data, and no discipline, staffing, or attendance figures were provided in the data we reviewed.
The surrounding community offers a quiet, rural residential environment with few civic anchors beyond the town hall and the school itself. There is no downtown commercial district, and the village has no parks or library identified in available sources. Median home values and rents are modest relative to state averages, and the housing stock is fully occupied with no vacancies reported. A slight population decline and the absence of major new development suggest a stable but not growing area. For a family that values a small, rural school setting with decent academic performance compared to neighboring districts, River Ridge Elementary fits that description. Those looking for a wider range of programs, detailed data on special populations, or a growing community will find less to work with, and the school’s reading and science results are areas where further inquiry is warranted.
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