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RPS On the Rise

RPS On the Rise

Richmond Public Schools, one of the fastest-improving school divisions in Virginia, is proud to serve 22,000 students in our Commonwealth’s capital. With 22,000 students, we’re one of the hundred largest school districts in the country, serving a student body that’s 56 percent Black, 27 percent Hispanic, and 12 percent white. Approximately two-thirds of our students are economically disadvantaged, and one in five is learning English. 

Our Mission

Our mission is simple, high, and clear: We want every RPS student to graduate with the tools and knowledge to live a life of their own determination. We’re guided by our strategic plan, and remain laser focused on our three goals: improving literacy rates, particularly in grades PK-5; creating pathways and opportunities to a thriving adulthood; and building a best-in-class instructional workforce. And the data makes it clear — those investments are working. In fact, they show that RPS is undeniably on the rise.

A bar chart titled 'SOL Test Score Increases Year Over Year' displays score growth across Reading, Math, Science, and History.

Results That Matter

Our efforts have led to one of the strongest rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.  We’ve seen back-to-back years of growth on our SOL scores. 

 

Last spring, we were UP AGAIN in reading, math, science, and history; and our four-year gains have significantly exceeded the state’s. Of course, we still have a long way to go to pass the overall state proficiency levels, but we’re gaining fast.

Closing the Gap: Black Student Subgroup Performance

Several RPS schools are making significant gains in academic achievement among Black students. RPS celebrates these schools, their leaders, and their teachers for their commitment to student success.

Broad Rock ES

Reading: +24 percentage points — from 38% to 62%

Armstrong HS

Reading: +23 percentage points — from 48% to 72% Math: +9 percentage points — from 67% to 76%

John Marshall HS

Reading: +22 percentage points — from 58% to 80%

Cardinal ES

Reading: +21 percentage points — from 35% to 56% Math: +27 percentage points — from 36% to 63%

Swansboro ES

Math: +31 percentage points — from 24% to 55%

J.B. Fisher ES

Math: +29 percentage points — from 36% to 65%

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts

Math: +25 percentage points — from 38% to 63%

Franklin Military Academy

Math: +20 percentage points — from 71% to 91%

Thomas Jefferson HS

Reading: +12 percentage points — from 66% to 78% Math: +14 percentage points — from 60% to 74%

Lois Harrison-Jones ES

Reading: +16 percentage points — from 42% to 58% Math: +19 percentage points — from 50% to 69%

Exceptional Growth for Every Learner

Our economically disadvantaged students are improving in reading at FIVE TIMES the rate of their peers across the state 

line chart showing that we are trending up toward the state reading pass rate for economically disadvantaged students

Bar chart showing reading pass rates for multilingual learners: State Overall (33.1%), Richmond City (33.4%), Neighbor County 1 (28.4%), Neighbor County 2 (27.8%).

Raising the Bar

Our multilingual learners are outperforming their peers in neighboring counties and across the state.

Prepared for the Future

Finally, our graduation rates reached record highs in 2025! For the first time in more than a decade, our overall graduation rate was above 80 percent.

line graph showing graduation rates over time

We're Committed ...

With new arts and workforce-centered campuses on the horizon, expanded academic supports, and a community that believes in the brilliance and potential of every child, RPS is rising ... and we’re just getting started.