Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Richardson’s public schools outscore 66% of Texas districts
Math proficiency in Richardson’s districts is 48%, above the Texas average (41%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Richardson, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.
From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Richardson’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 431 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Richardson’s, its schools beat 60%, lower than their 66% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 59% and math 48% across both districts in spring 2022, against 51% and 41% statewide; 94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Richardson Independent spends $12,395 per student and Plano Independent $12,149, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Winfree Academy Charter School, Evolution Academy Charter School, I A N T Quranic Academy (private), St. Joseph Catholic School (private), North Dallas Adventist Academy (private), Breckinridge Montessori School (private), Primrose School of Breckinridge Park (private), St. Paul Catholic Classical School (private), Primrose School of Richardson (private), Primrose School of N. Richardson @ Lookout (private), Bridge Builder Academy (private), Chase's Place (private) and Care Child Development Center (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Richardson’s grade
B+: better than 66% of Texas school districts, #190 of 642 Texas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Texas average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Richardson, with each school’s own grade.
7th grade in Richardson · depends on your address
Richardson West Technology and Arts Magnet
Grades 7–8 · 771 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Apollo J H
Grades 7–8 · 586 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Richardson North J H
Grades 7–8 · 574 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Richardson · depends on your address
Richardson West Technology and Arts Magnet
Grades 7–8 · 771 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Apollo J H
Grades 7–8 · 586 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Richardson North J H
Grades 7–8 · 574 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Richardson · depends on your address
Richardson H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,669 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Berkner H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,350 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Pearce H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,317 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Richardson · depends on your address
Richardson H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,669 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Berkner H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,350 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Pearce H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,317 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Richardson runs its own schools through grade 12 (Richardson Independent School District). From grade PK, students attend the Plano Independent School District, shared with Murphy, Parker and Plano. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Richardson
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Richardson vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Richardson’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Richardson | B+ | Richardson Independent PK–12 · Plano Independent PK–12 |
| Garland | B− | Garland Independent |
| Plano | A− | Plano Independent |
| Dallas | C− | Dallas Independent |
| Murphy | A− | Plano Independent PK–12 · Wylie Independent PK–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Plano Independent with Richardson for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Richardson
37 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Basis Richardson, Basis Richardson Pri and Jjaep).
Questions about Richardson’s schools
Are Richardson’s schools good?
By Texas’s own tests, yes: the public schools Richardson children attend outscore 66% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #190 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 60%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Richardson in?
Two districts: Richardson Independent School District runs grades PK–12, and Plano Independent School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Murphy, Parker and Plano.
Where do Richardson kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Richardson H S, Berkner H S and Pearce H S.
What is Richardson’s graduation rate?
94% of the class of 2023 in Plano Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Richardson spend per student?
$12,395 in Richardson Independent School District and $12,149 in Plano Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Richardson?
Yes: I A N T Quranic Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 373 students), St. Joseph Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 294 students), North Dallas Adventist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 261 students), Breckinridge Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 161 students), Primrose School of Breckinridge Park (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 161 students), St. Paul Catholic Classical School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 137 students), Primrose School of Richardson (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 129 students), Primrose School of N. Richardson @ Lookout (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 51 students), Bridge Builder Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 24 students), Chase's Place (special education, grades , 15 students) and Care Child Development Center (religious, grades K, 4 students). Richardson also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Richardson families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Richardson → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Texas. Stars are from neighbors.