Best Public Schools in Richmond, CA

The city of Richmond, California is home to 33 schools, including 21 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 9 high schools, spanning grades from kindergarten through 12th grade. The schools in this area are a mix of public and public charter institutions, providing a diverse educational landscape for students.

Among the standout schools in Richmond, Making Waves Academy stands out with the highest 4-year graduation rate at 90.5% and the lowest dropout rate at 5.3%. This public charter high school also boasts the highest test scores, with 67.57% of 11th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 21.62% proficient or better in Mathematics. Another high-performing school is Richmond College Preparatory, a public charter elementary/middle school with the highest overall test scores, including 53.69% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts/Literacy and 50% in Mathematics at the end-of-course level.

While the top-performing schools in Richmond demonstrate strong academic outcomes, the data also reveals significant disparities between the highest and lowest-performing institutions. Schools with the highest free/reduced lunch rates tend to have the lowest test scores and graduation rates, suggesting that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in student achievement. Additionally, chronic absenteeism appears to be a widespread issue, with several schools reporting rates over 40%, which likely contributes to the lower academic performance in these schools. Overall, the analysis of Richmond's schools highlights the need for continued efforts to address the educational inequities and ensure all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities.