Photo: Bruce Emmerling · CC BY-SA 4.0Richmond’s public schools score below 98% of Virginia districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Richmond’s districts is 32%, below the Virginia average (54%). The grade covers the public school district serving Richmond, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Virginia, not nationally.
From Virginia state tests taken in spring 2021, when about 1 in 3 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.
Richmond’s schools, in brief
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,712 per student, against $17,169 across Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
25 elementary schools, then eight middle and seven high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 26% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts, Richmond Career Education and Employment Charter School, St. Catherines School (private), Veritas School (private), Trinity Episcopal School (private), St. Bridget School (private), St. Benedict School (private), St. Benedict Catholic School (private), The New Community School (private), Sabot School (private), Cristo Rey Richmond High School (private), All Saints Catholic School (private), Richmond Waldorf School (private), Anna Julia Cooper School (private), Elijah House Academy (private), Westhampton Day School (private), Good Shepherd Episcopal School (private), Central Montessori School of Virginia (private), Rudlin Torah Academy (private), Seven Hills School (private), Dream Academy Inc. (private), Orchard House School (private), Rise Academy (private), Benjamin & Lillian Rochkind Yeshiva of Virginia (private), Geara Group/Educational Developmental Center (private), Commonwealth Christian Academy (private), Heartwood Grove School (private) and Ephesus Junior Academy (private) are in town. Richmond Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Richmond’s grade
D−: better than 2% of Virginia school districts, #247 of 250 Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the Virginia average; among the 221 Virginia towns with similar household incomes, Richmond’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Richmond, with each school’s own grade.
Richmond’s public schools are run by Richmond City Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
How students score
Richmond vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Virginia towns that share Richmond’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | D− | Richmond City |
Every school in Richmond
72 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 15 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Richmond Hospital Ep., Richmond Juvenile Detention Home, Virginia Treatment Ctr., Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, CodeRVA Regional High School, Amelia Street Special Education, Richmond Technical Center, Pre-School Dev. Center, Real Special Ed Ctr, Thirteen Acres Special Education Center, The Governor's Career and Technical Education Academy for ST, Thrive Academy, Mary Scott Preschool, Richmond Community Preschool and J.H. Blackwell Preschool).
Questions about Richmond’s schools
Are Richmond’s schools good?
On Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Richmond children attend score below 98% of Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D− Schools grade, #247 of 250 Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2020–21, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Richmond in?
Richmond City Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 20,962 students in 47 schools (2024–25).
Where do Richmond kids go to high school?
One of 7 high schools, depending on your address: Huguenot High, Richmond High School for the Arts, Thomas Jefferson High, John Marshall High, Franklin Military Academy, Richmond Community High and Open High.
What is Richmond’s graduation rate?
70% of the class of 2023 in Richmond City Public Schools graduated in four years, against 89% across Virginia.
How much does Richmond spend per student?
$23,712 in Richmond City Public Schools (FY2024), against $17,169 across Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Richmond?
Yes: St. Catherines School (religious · all-girls, grades PK–12, 950 students), Veritas School (religious, grades PK–12, 672 students), Trinity Episcopal School (religious, grades 8–12, 514 students), St. Bridget School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 513 students), St. Benedict School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 238 students), St. Benedict Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 238 students), The New Community School (special education, grades 5–12, 229 students), Sabot School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 226 students), Cristo Rey Richmond High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 212 students), All Saints Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 206 students), Richmond Waldorf School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 190 students), Anna Julia Cooper School (religious, grades PK–8, 188 students), Elijah House Academy (religious, grades K–8, 181 students), Westhampton Day School (religious, grades PK–K, 170 students), Good Shepherd Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–8, 143 students), Central Montessori School of Virginia (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 124 students), Rudlin Torah Academy (religious, grades K–8, 100 students), Seven Hills School (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 5–8, 85 students), Dream Academy Inc. (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 84 students), Orchard House School (nonsectarian · all-girls, grades 5–8, 80 students), Rise Academy (religious, grades 9–12, 56 students), Benjamin & Lillian Rochkind Yeshiva of Virginia (religious, grades 9–12, 39 students), Geara Group/Educational Developmental Center (special education, grades 2–11, 38 students), Commonwealth Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 27 students), Heartwood Grove School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 26 students) and Ephesus Junior Academy (religious, grades K–8, 25 students). Richmond also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Richmond families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Richmond → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2020–21, 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 Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.