Richmond Intermediate Sch vs Ferson Creek School

Richmond Intermediate School and Ferson Creek School are both highly rated elementary schools in Saint Charles, Illinois, separated by 3.7 miles, but Ferson Creek holds a meaningful edge in state standing. Ferson Creek School ranks #49 of 3,813 Illinois schools, placing it in the top 1.3% statewide, while Richmond Intermediate School ranks #98 of 3,813 — itself an exceptional result, but 49 positions behind. The overall rating gap is 0.3 points, with Ferson Creek at 9.3/10 and Richmond at 9.0/10.

The academic and growth data tell the clearest story. Ferson Creek School scores 9.8/10 in academics versus Richmond Intermediate School's 9.2/10 — a 0.6-point gap — and matches that advantage in growth, also 9.8/10 against Richmond's 9.0/10. That growth delta matters: it reflects how much students advance relative to their starting points, not just where they land. Both schools outperform the vast majority of Illinois elementaries, but Ferson Creek pulls ahead consistently across every performance dimension.

The two schools differ sharply in demographics and classroom size. Richmond Intermediate School enrolls 368 students with a 45% free and reduced-price lunch rate, indicating a substantially higher share of economically disadvantaged families. Ferson Creek School enrolls 600 students with only a 9% FRL rate. On student-teacher ratio, Richmond offers a notably more intimate setting at 11.5:1 compared to Ferson Creek's 14.0:1 — meaning Richmond averages roughly two fewer students per classroom. For families who prioritize individualized attention, that gap carries real weight.

Grade configuration is another practical distinction. Richmond Intermediate School serves grades 3–5 only, meaning younger children will attend a different building in earlier years. Ferson Creek School spans PK–05, keeping students in one building from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Families with children entering school for the first time — or those who prefer fewer school transitions in the early years — will find Ferson Creek's broader grade span directly relevant to their decision.