Below Average
#1524 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
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
608
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbus
#13 of 15
public schools
Indiana elementary schools
#867 of 1,047
In district
#14 of 16
Bartholomew Con School Corp
About W D Richards Elementary School
W D Richards Elementary School is a regular public school located in Columbus, Indiana. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, the school has an enrollment of 608 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.3:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at W D Richards Elementary School is currently rated at 4.5 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 26th percentile among Indiana schools, ranking #1346 out of 1831.
In terms of subject proficiency rates, 31% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 34% in Math. However, there is no data available for Science proficiency levels at this time. With room for academic growth, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement.
W D Richards Elementary School is situated in a small city setting within Bartholomew County, offering students access to a range of community resources and activities.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at W D Richards Elementary School is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
46.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 18 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 5.0/10.
How W D Richards Elementary School Compares
See how W D Richards Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 40.18% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 37.98% (2025).
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. ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CSA Lincoln Campus (rated 7.4/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rockcreek Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 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 | 4.4 |
| NORTH STAR MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbus | 1.5 mi | — |
| Clifty Creek Elementary School Columbus | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 5.2 |
| Parkside Elementary School Columbus | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Columbus North High School Columbus | 2.2 mi | 8.4 |
| Columbus East High School Columbus | 2.8 mi | 6.9 |
| ST BARTHOLOMEW SCHOOL Columbus | 2.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Lillian Schmitt Elementary School Columbus | 2.4 mi | 5.9 |
| CSA Fodrea Campus Columbus | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Richard L Johnson Early Educ Cntr Columbus | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Central Middle School Columbus | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| CSA Lincoln Campus Columbus | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Taylorsville Elementary School Taylorsville | 6.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Rockcreek Elementary School Columbus | 6.3 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding W D Richards Elementary School has a median household income of $82,667. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,600, with a median rent of $1,159/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Indian Creek Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 4.8 |
| Mary Bryan Elementary School Indianapolis, IN | 4.8 |
| Pioneer Elementary School Royal Center, IN | 4.8 |
| Rose Hamilton Elementary School Centerville, IN | 4.8 |
| Scott Elementary School Evansville, IN | 4.8 |
| Western Intermediate School Russiaville, IN | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #1524 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is W D Richards Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
W D Richards Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at W D Richards Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W D Richards Elementary School has 42.3% math proficiency and 41.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Low (98/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbus). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (812) 376-4311
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bartholomew Con School Corp- District Enrollment
- 11,654
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,277
- District Rank
- #14 of 16
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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