White River Unified School District #79

461 Waterman Road
Royalton, VT 05068
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public elementary schools serving 425 students in White River Unified School District #79. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Vermont.
Public Elementary Schools in White River Unified School District #79 have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Vermont public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Vermont public elementary school average of 13% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (VT)
# Schools
4 Schools
242 Schools
# Students
649 Students
55,799 Students
# Teachers
66 Teachers
4,883 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
10:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

White River Unified School District #79, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 102 school districts in Vermont (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has decreased from 85% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (VT)
#46 out of 103 school districts
(Top 50%)
38%
40%
43%
44%
40%
35%
75%
83%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.09
0.24
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
4%
% Black
1%
3%
% White
96%
87%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,558 in this school district is less than the state median of $30,286. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,464 is less than the state median of $29,536. The school district spending/student has declined by 8% over four school years.
This School District
This State (VT)
Total Revenue
$13 MM
$2,348 MM
Spending
$12 MM
$2,290 MM
Revenue / Student
$20,558
$30,286
Spending / Student
$18,464
$29,536

Best White River Unified School District #79 Public Elementary Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
273 Pleasant Street
Bethel, VT 05032
(802) 234-6607
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #22.
White River Valley Middle School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
273 Pleasant Street
Bethel, VT 05032
(802) 234-9966
Gr: 6-8 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
South Royalton Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
223 South Winsor Street
South Royalton, VT 05068
(802) 763-7740
Gr: PK-5 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 2%

Recent Articles

How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 649 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 4%
  • : 75% (Btm 50% in VT)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 38% (Top 50%)
  • : 43% (Top 50%)
  • : 40% (Top 30%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VT Dept. of Education

Quick Links