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GreatSchools Rating

W D Richards Elementary School

Public | K-6 | 561 students
 

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  • I am a single father of a child that started attending W.D Richards in...

  • My son had kindergarten and 1st grade at Richards, and we found the teachers...

  • Richards has a wonderful staff and excellent teachers. The music program is...

  • This school has an awesome principal. I had two children there and it was an...

  • My children have attended Richards for two years. The principal is very...

 

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Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars

Based on 8 ratings
Community Rating by Year
2013:
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2012:
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2011:
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2010:
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6 reviews of this school

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Posted February 1, 2011
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I am a single father of a child that started attending W.D Richards in Kindergarten and when she was ready to begin 4th grade, was moved to another school (out of Indiana) where she learned very little. She was very unhappy and unstimulated with the curriculum at the school. The LACK of an anti-bullying policy at this school made it very difficult for her to adjust. After moving back to Columbus with me and getting re-enrolled at W.D. Richards, she was much happier and felt challenged by the curriculum. I have learned to appreciate the staff, curriculum and policies there to a much higher level since her return and see the difference in my child's attitude and willingness to learn. Outstanding school!!
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted December 29, 2009
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My son had kindergarten and 1st grade at Richards, and we found the teachers and staff to be dedicated and wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted March 7, 2009
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Richards has a wonderful staff and excellent teachers. The music program is top notch. My kids are very happy there.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted December 2, 2008
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This school has an awesome principal. I had two children there and it was an excellent experience.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted November 16, 2003
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My children have attended Richards for two years. The principal is very involved and in touch with everything. She is wonderful. There are some exceptional teachers, also. It is a safe, caring environment. My children are are learning so much more than I did in elementary school.
—Submitted by a parent

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Posted May 14, 2003
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This is a very progressive and safe school. The children are challenged academically in a supportive, team atmosphere. My daughters have loved this school. We have been in the 1st - 5th grades at Richards. One of my daughters tested into a special education program for the gifted students of our county. These students are pulled out of the school and attend class at Parkside. We pulled her out of that program and returned her to Richards after a semester because we we so happy with Richards. My other daughter had a speech delay. After working with the speech therapist at Richards the problem is gone and you can't tell she ever had a problem. We are leaving the area and will miss Richards. The teachers and the Principal are very professional and fair. This has been a very positive experience for my family.

Write your own review

Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 85% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
89%

2010

 
 
83%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

74 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
86%

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
76%
Scale: % passing

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 82% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
77%
Math

The state average for Math was 79% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
81%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
70%
Science

The state average for Science was 78% in 2012.

72 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
92%

2011

 
 
80%

2010

 
 
84%
Scale: % passing

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
72%
Math

The state average for Math was 86% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
87%

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
76%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 67% in 2012.

95 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
75%

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
71%
Scale: % passing

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

English/Language Arts

The state average for English/Language Arts was 78% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
88%

2011

 
 
81%

2010

 
 
75%
Math

The state average for Math was 82% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
85%

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
74%
Science

The state average for Science was 64% in 2012.

81 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
65%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
61%
Scale: % passing

About the tests

In 2011-2012 Indiana used the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) assessment to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English/language arts and math, grades 4 and 6 in science, and in grades 5 and 7 in social studies. The ISTEP+ is a standards-based test, which means it measures specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Indiana. The goal is for all students to score at the passing level on the test.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "A".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "C".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "C".

About the tests

Indiana uses the A through F School Grading System to assess the overall performance of a school. For the 2011-2012 school year, schools were graded based on performance and participation levels in state standardized tests and student growth using the Indiana Growth Model. In addition, high schools were graded on four-year (on-time) graduation rates and college and career readiness indicators including Advanced Placment exam results and industry certification exam results.

See Indiana's state standards

Source: Indiana Department of Education

GreatSchools Rating

What makes up this rating?

Academic rating
6 / 10
Climate rating
Not available

This school's GreatSchools Rating is based on academics (90%) and climate (10%). The academic rating measures students' test scores, academic growth and college readiness. The climate rating measures safety, cleanliness, parent involvement and more.

Learn more about our methodology

What is the new GreatSchools Rating?

Rating legend
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average
Average
Above
average

Our rating (from 1 to 10) reflects a school's overall performance. The higher the rating, the more likely the school will prepare your child for the future, so choose an above-average school (8-10) if possible. For average schools (4-7), do careful research and look for evidence that the school has high-quality programs. For below-average schools (1-3), take caution; a low-performing school may not provide the instruction or environment your child needs to learn, and you may need to supplement classroom lessons at home.

Academic rating

The academic rating is made up of equally-weighted parts: students' test scores, their academic growth (for elementary and middle schools) and their readiness for college (for high schools). The graphs below compare this school's results in each area to other schools in the city and state. Growth and college readiness ratings are coming soon, pending publication of 2012 data.
Overall academic rating

6

Average
Test score rating 2012*
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Learn more about this school's test scores »
Student growth rating 2012**
This school
City
State
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
This school
Reading growth
Average
Math growth
Average

*Test scores are based on 2012 ISTEP and ECA results from the state of Indiana.

**The academic growth rating measures how schools affect student test score improvement over time in reading and math. Data is from the 2012 school year and is provided by the Indiana Department of Education.

Climate ratings

Climate rating for this school is not yet available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 80% 73%
Hispanic 8% 8%
Multiracial 6% 4%
Asian 3% 2%
Black 3% 12%
American Indian 0% 0%
Native Hawaiin or Pacific Islander N/A 0%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students participating in free or reduced-price lunch program 38%N/A47%
Special education 10%N/A15%
English learners 6%N/A5%
Source: IN Dept. of Education, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 24N/A17
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

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3311 Fairlawn Dr
Columbus, IN 47201
Website: Click here
Phone: (812) 376-4311

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