All About RPS
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.
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.
Exceptional Growth for Every Learner
Our economically disadvantaged students are improving in reading at FIVE TIMES the rate of their peers across the state
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.
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.