Best Schools in Richlands, North Carolina
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Richlands?
Use this page to compare every school in Richlands by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Heritage Elementary School
Elementary · Onslow County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Richlands High
High · Onslow County Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Liberty Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Richlands for 2026 are Heritage Elementary School (8.2/10), Richlands High (6.5/10), and Liberty Christian Academy (6.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$204,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$204,500
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Richlands
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heritage Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Richlands High | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Liberty Christian Academy | 6.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Richlands Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Trexler Middle | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $66,555
- Median home value
- $204,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Richlands compares
North Carolina rank
#100 of 253
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above North Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
98% of North Carolina median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Richlands, North Carolina
Richlands, North Carolina is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Richlands show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Richlands is Heritage Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Richlands is served by 1 school district: Onslow County Schools. These districts collectively serve 27,592 students.
Richlands's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $66,555. The poverty rate in the area is 9.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 532 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 620 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 759 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,043 students · 9th–12th | 6.5 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liberty Christian Academy
Private
476 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.3 |
Schools in Richlands
Richlands, North Carolina · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$66,555
Median Home Value
$204,500
Median Rent
$1,123/mo
Population
20,631
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
9.9%
Community Profile
Richlands has a median household income of $66,555. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,500, with a median rent of $1,123/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- North Carolina
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in North Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Richlands, North Carolina
How many schools are in Richlands, North Carolina?
Richlands has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Richlands, North Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Richlands is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Richlands, North Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Richlands on MySchoolScout is Heritage Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Richlands, North Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Richlands on MySchoolScout is Heritage Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Richlands, North Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Richlands on MySchoolScout is Trexler Middle with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best high school in Richlands, North Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Richlands on MySchoolScout is Richlands High with a composite score of 6.5/10.
How many school districts serve Richlands, North Carolina?
Richlands is served by 1 school district: Onslow County Schools.
What is the education level in Richlands, North Carolina?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Richlands have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Richlands, North Carolina?
The median household income in Richlands is approximately $66,555 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Richlands, North Carolina?
Yes, Richlands has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Liberty Christian Academy with a score of 6.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Richlands, North Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Richlands is 15.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Richlands, North Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, North Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.