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Average

#1256 of 1,823 schools in IN

W D Richards Elementary School

Elementary School · Bartholomew Con School Corp

3311 Fairlawn Dr, Columbus, IN 47201

Enrollment

608

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,256 of 1,823

In Columbus

#11 of 15

public schools

In district

#11 of 16

Bartholomew Con School Corp

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W D Richards Elementary School

5.4/10

Elementary School in Columbus · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

L F Smith Elementary

5.8/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

North Star Montessori School

Nearby

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About W D Richards Elementary School

W D Richards Elementary School is a public elementary school in Columbus, IN, part of Bartholomew Con School Corp. W D Richards Elementary School serves approximately 608 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. W D Richards Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,256 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for W D Richards Elementary School show 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • IN avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

W D Richards Elementary School runs 20.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.39 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.2% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-11.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.2 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment3.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,277
Chronic Absenteeism14.1%

W D Richards Elementary School — Students at W D Richards Elementary School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 58.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
44.9% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.7% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 40 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
76%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
84%
ELA
89%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
88%
2013
Math
85%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
68%
ELA
74%
2015
Math
66%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
64%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
64%
ELA
67%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
45%
2025
Math
40.2%
ELA
38.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.9/10.

How W D Richards Elementary School Compares

See how W D Richards Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
31th percentile in IN
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3311 Fairlawn Dr, Columbus, IN 47201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering W D Richards Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CSA Lincoln Campus (rated 8.5/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Southside Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rockcreek Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.3 mi
School Distance Rating
L F Smith Elementary Columbus 1.0 mi 5.8
NORTH STAR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbus 1.5 mi
Clifty Creek Elementary School Columbus 1.9 mi 7.1
KINDER CARE LEARNING CENTER #300570 Columbus 1.8 mi
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Columbus 2.6 mi 8.1
Northside Middle School Columbus 2.1 mi 7.0
Parkside Elementary School Columbus 2.2 mi 7.8
Columbus North High School Columbus 2.2 mi 7.9
Columbus East High School Columbus 2.8 mi 6.3
ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL Columbus 2.3 mi 7.6
Lillian Schmitt Elementary School Columbus 2.4 mi 5.2
CSA Fodrea Campus Columbus 2.9 mi 4.6
Richard L Johnson Early Educ Cntr Columbus 2.9 mi 4.1
Central Middle School Columbus 3.1 mi 6.1
CSA Lincoln Campus Columbus 3.2 mi 8.5
ST PETER'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Columbus 3.3 mi 6.4
ST PAUL LUTHERAN EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY Columbus 4.3 mi
Southside Elementary School Columbus 5.6 mi 8.0
Taylorsville Elementary School Taylorsville 6.1 mi 5.1
Rockcreek Elementary School Columbus 6.3 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 47201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,667

Median Home Value

$217,600

Median Rent

$1,159/mo

Population

48,602

College Educated

36.3%

Homeownership

64.9%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.2%

Median Age

36.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cleveland Elementary School Elkhart, IN 5.4
Covington Elementary School Fort Wayne, IN 5.4
Greenbriar Elementary School Indianapolis, IN 5.4
Hebron Elementary School Evansville, IN 5.4
Lewis Cass Elementary School Walton, IN 5.4
Little Turtle Elementary School Columbia City, IN 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about W D Richards Elementary School

What grades does W D Richards Elementary School serve?

W D Richards Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend W D Richards Elementary School?

W D Richards Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 608 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at W D Richards Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at W D Richards Elementary School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does W D Richards Elementary School rank in IN?

W D Richards Elementary School ranks #1,256 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is W D Richards Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

W D Richards Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at W D Richards Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, W D Richards Elementary School has 58% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is W D Richards Elementary School a charter school?

No, W D Richards Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is W D Richards Elementary School a Title I school?

No, W D Richards Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W D Richards Elementary School?

46.9% of students at W D Richards Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
608
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Bartholomew County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.1%

District

Bartholomew Con School Corp
District Enrollment
11,654
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,277
District Rank
#11 of 16

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