Richards Middle School

Q: Is Richards Middle School a good school?

Richards Middle School ranks 140 th of 588 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Richards Middle School is a public middle school located in Columbus, Georgia, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 819 students. The school is part of the Muscogee County School District, which is ranked 155 out of 203 districts in Georgia and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Richards Middle School consistently outperforms the Muscogee County and Georgia state averages in various Milestones Assessment subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had 100% proficiency in Algebra I, compared to 32.7% for Muscogee County and 44% for Georgia. The school has also maintained a strong statewide ranking, placing in the top 25% of Georgia middle schools for the past several years, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, the school has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 96.58% to 96.65% over the past few years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Richards Middle School to the nearby middle schools in the Muscogee County district, it is clear that Richards outperforms most of them academically. For example, Blackmon Road Middle School, Double Churches Middle School, and Eddy Middle School all have significantly lower proficiency rates across various subjects. This suggests that Richards Middle School is a high-performing school within the district, with effective teaching and learning practices that could be valuable for other schools to emulate.

Detail:

Public 6-8

2892 Edgewood Rd
Columbus, GA 31906

(706) 569-3697

District: Muscogee County

SchoolDigger Rank:
140^th of 588 Georgia Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,870

Students who attend Richards Middle School usually attend:

High:

Hardaway High School

Feeder schools for Richards Middle School:

Elementary:	Clubview Elementary School
	Johnson Elementary School
	Rigdon Road Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.0

Number of students: 809

Racial breakdown:

African American:

50.6%

White:

23.7%

Hispanic:

10.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80.3%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Richards Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Richards Middle School ranks better than 76.2% of middle schools in Georgia. It also ranks first among 12 ranked middle schools in the Muscogee County School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 71.85. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Richards Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Muscogee County School District. Racial makeup is: African American (50.6%), White (23.7%), Hispanic (10.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Richards Middle School is 17. 8 middle schools in the Muscogee County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Richards Middle School employs 47.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Richards Middle School is $8,870. 9 middle schools in the Muscogee County School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Richards Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Richards Middle School 140^th of 588 Georgia public middle schools. (See Richards Middle School in the ranking list.)

Muscogee County:

SchoolDigger ranks Muscogee County 155^th of 203 Georgia school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Richards Middle School.

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Rank History for Richards Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	GA State Percentile
2006	63.11	158^th	420	62.4%
2007	60.04	191^st	445	57.1%
2008	45.58	286^th	462	38.1%
2009	48.04	285^th	466	38.8%
2010	46.85	299^th	494	39.5%
2011	41.48	342^nd	504	32.1%
2012	43.66	343^rd	508	32.5%
2013	39.97	372^nd	527	29.4%
2014	32.64	411^th	521	21.1%
2015	44.23	294^th	537	45.3%
2016	46.21	282^nd	545	48.3%
2017	49.55	266^th	539	50.6%
2018	61.38	176^th	543	67.6%
2019	62.97	181^st	559	67.6%
2021	84.11	71^st	542	86.9%
2022	71.91	141^st	567	75.1%
2023	71.65	138^th	577	76.1%
2024	71.85	140^th	588	76.2%

See the entire list of Georgia Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Georgia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a teacher
Thursday, October 29, 2020

As a long-time teacher at Richards, since 1998, I’ve witnessed the aim to provide consistent quality instruction and valuable experiences for highly diverse groups of learners. Performing at top levels in academic, arts and sports activities is a standard. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, August 31, 2018

This is underrated for some reasons. Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, October 24, 2009

I loved Richards Middle school except for some of the people...But other wise it was really fun there,I miss being at middle school... Close Quote

Enrollment information for Richards Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	797	797
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	811	811
1992	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	798	798
1993	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	876	876
1994	596	253	15	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	880
1995	471	307	6	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	797
1996	471	307	6	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	797
1997	479	290	10	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	792
1998	436	320	17	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	786
1999	423	353	18	13	3	n/a	n/a	0	810
2000	407	268	13	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	701
2001	337	282	10	12	4	n/a	n/a	0	645
2002	324	337	12	25	3	n/a	n/a	0	701
2003	324	337	12	25	3	n/a	n/a	0	701
2004	308	377	11	22	3	n/a	n/a	0	721
2005	306	432	6	19	3	n/a	n/a	21	787
2006	287	456	8	29	1	n/a	n/a	30	811
2007	280	442	15	21	0	n/a	n/a	31	789
2008	303	458	13	19	0	n/a	n/a	30	823
2009	288	436	11	17	0	n/a	n/a	40	792
2010	274	404	4	0	0	0	83	0	765
2011	237	441	6	34	1	2	60	0	781
2012	245	429	7	39	0	1	40	0	761
2013	249	461	7	41	0	2	33	0	793
2014	247	430	6	42	0	3	37	0	765
2015	219	417	8	48	1	1	38	0	732
2016	202	409	7	51	2	2	28	0	701
2017	230	417	16	55	4	3	35	0	760
2018	206	377	25	52	5	3	30	0	698
2019	212	410	47	65	3	0	45	0	782
2020	213	450	45	66	1	3	55	0	833
2021	196	464	51	67	1	1	55	0	835
2022	180	427	62	69	2	3	55	0	798
2023	188	420	74	79	3	2	53	0	819
2024	192	409	65	88	1	1	53	0	809

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Richards Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	797	43.0	18.5	20.2
1991	811	44.0	18.4	13.4
1992	798	45.0	17.7	22.7
1993	876	51.0	17.2	24.5
1994	880	53.6	16.4	21
1995	797	50.0	15.9	28.2
1996	797	50.0	15.9	28.2
1997	792	48.0	16.5	32.4
1998	786	50.6	15.5	39.1
1999	810	51.6	15.7	36.7
2000	701	42.7	16.4	33.8
2001	645	40.9	15.8	47.1
2002	701	42.8	16.4	50.2
2003	701	42.8	16.4	50.2
2004	721	42.2	17.1	60.9
2005	787	47.3	16.6	65.7
2006	811	50.8	16.0	67.2
2007	789	55.1	14.3	64.5
2008	823	56.3	14.6	61.2
2009	792	56.2	14.1	61.7
2010	765	55.5	13.7	59.9
2011	781	53.3	14.6	63.8
2012	761	54.6	13.9	63.5
2013	793	52.2	15.1	67.2
2014	765	51.5	14.8	66.3
2015	732	43.0	17.0	69.8
2016	701	42.0	16.6	73
2017	760	42.5	17.8	100
2018	698	43.5	16.0	94.4
2019	782	46.8	16.7	94.4
2020	833	42.4	19.6	91.8
2021	835	47.0	17.7	96.6
2022	798	46.0	17.3	n/a
2023	819	46.5	17.6	96.6
2024	809	47.5	17.0	80.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Richards Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	797	43.0	18.5	20.2
1991	811	44.0	18.4	13.4
1992	798	45.0	17.7	22.7
1993	876	51.0	17.2	24.5
1994	880	53.6	16.4	21
1995	797	50.0	15.9	28.2
1996	797	50.0	15.9	28.2
1997	792	48.0	16.5	32.4
1998	786	50.6	15.5	39.1
1999	810	51.6	15.7	36.7
2000	701	42.7	16.4	33.8
2001	645	40.9	15.8	47.1
2002	701	42.8	16.4	50.2
2003	701	42.8	16.4	50.2
2004	721	42.2	17.1	60.9
2005	787	47.3	16.6	65.7
2006	811	50.8	16.0	67.2
2007	789	55.1	14.3	64.5
2008	823	56.3	14.6	61.2
2009	792	56.2	14.1	61.7
2010	765	55.5	13.7	59.9
2011	781	53.3	14.6	63.8
2012	761	54.6	13.9	63.5
2013	793	52.2	15.1	67.2
2014	765	51.5	14.8	66.3
2015	732	43.0	17.0	69.8
2016	701	42.0	16.6	73
2017	760	42.5	17.8	100
2018	698	43.5	16.0	94.4
2019	782	46.8	16.7	94.4
2020	833	42.4	19.6	91.8
2021	835	47.0	17.7	96.6
2022	798	46.0	17.3	n/a
2023	819	46.5	17.6	96.6
2024	809	47.5	17.0	80.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Richards Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2017	$478 (5.7%)	$7,878 (94.3%)	$8,356
2018	$598 (6.5%)	$8,607 (93.5%)	$9,205
2019	$514 (5.8%)	$8,355 (94.2%)	$8,870

Data source: Georgia Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Richards Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 181^st of 559 Middle schools	Ranks 138^th of 577 Middle schools	8.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Richards Middle School)	49.2	46.1	3.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	38.8	27.3	11.5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	46	39.2	6.8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Richards Middle School)	37.9	26.8	11.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	27.1	14.9	12.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	40	32.9	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Richards Middle School)	43.8	46.6	2.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	31.4	27	4.4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	39	39.1	0.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Richards Middle School)	41.1	40.3	0.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	30.5	20.4	10.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	43	34.9	8.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Richards Middle School)	50.9	54.1	3.2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Muscogee County)	41.9	31	10.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Georgia)	47	42.1	4.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Richards Middle School)	46.6	54.1	7.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Muscogee County)	29	22.5	6.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Georgia)	35	36.2	1.2%
8th Grade Science (Richards Middle School)	40.1	39	1.1%
8th Grade Science (Muscogee County)	22	17.4	4.6%
8th Grade Science (Georgia)	32	26.4	5.6%
8th Grade Social Studies (Richards Middle School)	44.1	48.2	4.1%
8th Grade Social Studies (Muscogee County)	32.7	24.8	7.9%
8th Grade Social Studies (Georgia)	41	35.9	5.1%
End of Course Algebra I (Richards Middle School)	100	100
End of Course Algebra I (Muscogee County)	29	21.4	7.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Georgia)	41.1	35.8	5.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	782	819	4.7%
African American	410	420	2.4%
American Indian	3	3
Asian	47	74	57.4%
Hispanic	65	79	21.5%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	212	188	11.3%
Two or More Races	45	53	17.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	94.4%	96.6%	2.2%

Schools Near Richards Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2024)	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts (2024)			Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2024)			Milestones Assessment Science (2024)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Richards Middle School	Public	6-8	2892 Edgewood Rd	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3697	809	48	17.0	80.3%	192 (23.7%)	409 (50.6%)	88 (10.9%)	65 (8.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	53 (6.6%)	71.8	140^th of 588 public middle schools	76.2%		71.6	138^th of 577 public middle schools	76.1%	2	100.0	52.8	55.0	52.2	34.0	46.6	49.4	41.1	39.7	$8,870	$514	$8,355
Arnold Middle School	Public	6-8	2011 51st St	Columbus	31904	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2436	625	37	16.8	85.6%	105 (16.8%)	287 (45.9%)	186 (29.8%)	7 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (5.9%)	13.2	532^nd of 588 public middle schools	9.5%		14.4	518^th of 577 public middle schools	10.2%	14		19.1	20.4	21.9	8.6	8.5	4.5	7.1	15.4	$9,246	$510	$8,736
Rothschild Leadership Academy School	Public	6-8	1136 Hunt Ave	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3709	540	29	18.3	100.0%	10 (1.9%)	477 (88.3%)	29 (5.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.3%)	7.5	571^st of 588 public middle schools	2.9%		7.3	564^th of 577 public middle schools	2.3%	7	10.5	11.5	8.4	15.9	1.1	3.1	6.0	5.3	9.3	$10,134	$851	$9,283
Fort Middle School	Public	6-8	2900 Woodruff Farm Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3740	484	28	17.1	99.6%	26 (5.4%)	400 (82.6%)	33 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.2%)	13.2	531^st of 588 public middle schools	9.7%		11.4	543^rd of 577 public middle schools	5.9%	12	31.3	18.1	19.3	23.9	2.8	6.8	19.4	7.8	11.5	$8,663	$719	$7,944
East Columbus Magnet Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	6100 Georgetown Dr	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	Yes	No	Yes	(706) 565-3026	413	27	15.0	98.3%	7 (1.7%)	365 (88.4%)	20 (4.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.8%)	15.4	513^th of 588 public middle schools	12.8%		13	531^st of 577 public middle schools	8.0%	18	18.2	23.1	21.2	23.9	6.2	13.1	10.6	5.9	18.4	$10,203	$794	$9,409
Baker Middle School	Public	6-8	1215 Benning Dr	Columbus	31903	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 683-8721	547	41	13.2	100.0%	10 (1.8%)	424 (77.5%)	83 (15.2%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	23 (4.2%)	5.8	579^th of 588 public middle schools	1.5%		6.5	566^th of 577 public middle schools	1.9%	13		8.5	8.1	9.6	4.7	1.6	1.8	0.0	4.8	$10,049	$893	$9,156
Double Churches Middle School	Public	6-8	7611 Whitesville Rd	Columbus	31904	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2678	442	34	13.1	88.2%	100 (22.6%)	268 (60.6%)	31 (7.0%)	5 (1.1%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.7%)	22.4	459^th of 588 public middle schools	21.9%		20.4	461^st of 577 public middle schools	20.1%	2	42.9	22.6	20.0	36.8	7.9	9.5	29.4	9.3	25.7	$10,154	$793	$9,361
Blackmon Road Middle School	Public	6-8	7251 Blackmon Rd	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 565-2998	534	45	11.9	63.3%	159 (29.8%)	225 (42.1%)	67 (12.5%)	44 (8.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	37 (6.9%)	61.6	193^rd of 588 public middle schools	67.2%		61.2	197^th of 577 public middle schools	65.9%	4	96.8	38.4	34.5	57.4	33.3	25.1	53.0	37.6	48.6	$9,476	$336	$9,140
Eddy Middle School	Public	6-8	2100 S Lumpkin Rd	Columbus	31903	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 683-8782	437	28	15.8	100.0%	11 (2.5%)	317 (72.5%)	75 (17.2%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (6.4%)	7.1	573^rd of 588 public middle schools	2.6%		8.6	558^th of 577 public middle schools	3.3%	15		8.7	6.1	14.9	5.3	3.8	5.6	3.8	5.7	$10,051	$1,034	$9,017
Veterans Memorial Middle School	Public	6-8	2008 Old Guard Rd	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-3203	658	43	15.1	49.4%	229 (34.8%)	213 (32.4%)	125 (19.0%)	26 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	64 (9.7%)	39.3	346^th of 588 public middle schools	41.2%		44.4	299^th of 577 public middle schools	48.2%	47	91.3	32.3	33.2	41.2	15.7	26.9	35.1	22.4	30.7	$8,967	$376	$8,590

Frequently Asked Questions about Richards Middle School

What district is Richards Middle School in?

Muscogee County

What high school do graduates of Richards Middle School attend?

Students who attend Richards Middle School usually go on to attend Hardaway High School

How many students attend Richards Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 809 students attended Richards Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Richards Middle School?

Students at Richards Middle School are 51% African American, 24% White, 11% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

Is Richards Middle School a good school?

Richards Middle School ranks 140^th of 588 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.