Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

Riverside Unified

California · Public School District
48
Schools
39,380
Students
$17,213
Per-Pupil Spend
+20% nat'l
72.3%
Free Lunch Rate
+20pp vs nat'l
92.7%
Graduation Rate
+6.2pp vs nat'l
District Overview

Riverside Unified is a public school district in California serving 39,380 students across 48 schools. It includes 29 elementary, 7 middle, 9 high schools. Its graduation rate of 92.7% is above the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $17,213 is above average for a US public school district. 72% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are moderate, with a district median of 46/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (48)
Elementary Schools29 schools
Middle Schools7 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Amelia Earhart Middle07–08798
Central Middle07–08584
Chemawa Middle07–08798
Frank Augustus Miller Middle07–08831
Matthew Gage Middle07–08885
Sierra Middle07–08830
University Heights Middle07–08804
High Schools9 schools
Other Schools3 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
Riverside VirtualKG–121,200
Summit View Independent StudyKG–12145
Sunshine Special EducationKG–1254
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$17,213+20% nat'l avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
64%
24%
State
64.5%
Local (property tax)
24.1%
Federal
11.4%

State funding accounts for 64% of the budget — this district relies more on state aid than local tax revenue.

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
48
Schools
39,380
Students
72%
Free Lunch
$17K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate92.7%
Opportunity Score46/100
Strengths & Considerations
Strong graduation outcomes
92.7% graduation rate — 6.2 points above the national average of 86.5%.
High per-student investment
Spends $17,213 per pupil — 20% above the national average of $14,347.
Range of school options
With 48 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
72% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Riverside Unified?
Riverside Unified has 48 public schools, serving a total of 39,380 students.
What is the graduation rate for Riverside Unified?
The graduation rate is 92.7%, which is above the national average of 86.5%.
How much does Riverside Unified spend per student?
Riverside Unified spends $17,213 per pupil — 20% above the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in Riverside Unified?
72% of students in Riverside Unified qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in Riverside Unified?
No, Riverside Unified does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does Riverside Unified serve?
Riverside Unified serves grades KG through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for Riverside Unified?
The median opportunity score across schools in Riverside Unified is 46/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.