Moving to a new city with your family doesn’t have to be a stressful experience if you have the tools available to help you navigate your new surroundings. One of the most important decisions you might face when relocating your family to a new area is where to enroll your children in school. There is an incredible variety of schools in Riverside that are highly ranked and provide an excellent education to their students.
“I would say the Inland Empire is really family-friendly,” said UCPath Center Workforce Administration Assistant, Stephanie Hernandez. When asked about the benefits of raising a young family in the area, Hernandez continued. “The schools are rated so well because we have teachers and staff that really care about developing our kids.”
We created this helpful guide to introduce you to a few of the top-rated schools in Riverside. Whether you’re considering relocating for a career at the UCPath Center or looking to move within the city limits, this guide aims to provide context alongside each school rating to help you make an informed decision as you consider the Riverside school system for your children.
Mark Twain Elementary School
Grades: K-6
Student Body: 1,000
Rankings: 8/10 by GreatSchools
This elementary school is located in the neighborhood of Orangecrest and is considered an exceptional educational institution due to their high test scores and advanced technology. An efficient and updated school website allows parents to be involved and up-to-date with the latest school activities as well as have online access to the textbooks that are being used in their children’s classes. Mark Twain Elementary is also well known for their dedicated team of special education teachers in addition to having a staff of experienced teachers that have been in the field of education for a minimum of three years.
Lake Mathews Elementary School
Grades: K-6
Size: 907
Ratings: 8/10 by Great Schools, A- by Niche
Recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, Lake Matthews Elementary has far above state average test scores as well as an above-average percentage of teachers with three or more years of experience in the education field. This elementary school also places an emphasis on recreational sports and they are well known for their student involvement in the choral program.
Amelia Earhart Middle School
Grades: 7-8
Student Body: 950
Rankings: 8/10 by GreatSchools
In addition to their students’ high test scores, Amelia Earhart Middle School is well known for providing advanced STEM courses that help set students up for success as they transition into high school. In addition to an impressive academic program, this middle school boasts a diverse athletic program that includes basketball, soccer, volleyball, spirit squad and color guard. For their achievements in implementing state standards in these areas of academia and athletics, Amelia Earhart Middle School was recognized as a California Gold Ribbon School by the California Department of Education in 2017.
Frank Augustus Middle School
Grades: 7-8
Student Body: 1,000
Rankings: 8/10 by GreatSchools
Established in 2009, this middle school is named after Mr. Frank Augustus Miller, the founder, builder and original owner of the historic Mission Inn Hotel in downtown Riverside. In addition to receiving the 2017 California Gold Ribbon from the California Department of Education, this school also received the 2017 Model of Academic Excellence and Innovation Award by the Riverside County Office of Education. Frank Augustus Middle School is well known for their after-school programs dedicated to keeping kids engaged and helping to develop essential life skills. They also have a unique variety of clubs for students including a coding club, meditation club and more traditional sports clubs such as soccer and volleyball. What really makes this school standout is their passion for setting records. In 2016, Frank Augustus Middle School set the Guinness World Record for the largest square dancing day with over 1,000 participants and in 2017 they attempted to win Guinness World Record for the largest group of people wearing tie-dye.
Martin Luther King High School
Grades: 9-12
Student Body: 3,300
Ratings: 8/10 by GreatSchools, A- by Niche
Martin Luther King High (MLK) is known for their impressive graduation rate of 97%. With a focus on advanced courses and AP classes, this high school serves as an excellent educational institution for students striving to impress college admission officers. The great range of extracurricular activities also serves to build a robust college application as students have the opportunity to join more than 60 student-led clubs, one of five award-winning school choirs, or one of the many after-school sports ranging from football and soccer to golf and tennis. MLK High is also well known for their award-winning marching band and color guard, the Riverside Kingsmen, which have performed at the Rose Parade, Disneyland and at competitions abroad in England and Spain.
Riverside STEM Academy
Grades: 5-12
Student Body: 535
Ratings: A+ by niche.com
Located nearby University of California, Riverside, the Riverside STEM Academy is unique due to their curriculum catering to students from 5th to 12th grade. This educational institution provides a learning environment focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with options for students to take accelerated and AP courses in those subjects. Riverside STEM Academy is also well regarded for their impressive student to teacher ratio of 28:1. For extracurricular activities, this school offers engaging opportunities such as a robust speech and debate program and science camp. They also take part in a student exchange program with Riverside’s sister city, Erlangen, Germany, which allows students to study abroad and experience a new culture.
Riverside has a diverse set of excellent schools for students to attend.
When asked her opinion on her daughter’s education in Riverside, Senior Employee Service Associate Gina Aguirre said, “I would rate it as being outstanding. The public schools out in Riverside by far the best public schools I think in all of Southern California.”
If you’re considering relocating to Riverside to for a new career opportunity, 
.
