Average
#1663 of 2,216 schools in MO
Richards Elem.
Elementary School · RICHARDS R-V
3461 COUNTY RD 1710, West Plains, MO 65775
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
385
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Plains
#8 of 9
public schools
Missouri elementary schools
#865 of 1,202
About Richards Elem.
Richards Elem, located in the remote town of West Plains, Missouri, offers a comprehensive education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 385 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Richards Elem provides personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school is staffed by 27 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment.
According to the MySchoolScout rating system, Richards Elem has received a score of 4.0 out of 10, placing it in the 20th percentile among Missouri schools. While academic performance shows room for improvement—only 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 38% in Math—the school continues to focus on student development and growth. Richards Elem is situated in a quiet area with plenty of space, offering a peaceful setting for young learners to explore their interests.
The surrounding community supports the school's efforts to provide a strong educational foundation for its students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Richards Elem. — Students at Richards Elem. score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
63.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MO EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MO 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: 5.4/10.
How Richards Elem. Compares
See how Richards Elem. performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 39% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 38% (2022).
Location
3461 COUNTY RD 1710, West Plains, MO 65775
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richards Elem. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. (rated 8.8/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Mountain View), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTH FORK ELEM. (rated 8.6/10, 11.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, KOSHKONONG ELEM. (rated 8.5/10, 18.8 miles away, in nearby Koshkonong), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Plains, see our West Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| OZARK HORIZON SCHOOL West Plains | 2.0 mi | — |
| WEST PLAINS ELEM. West Plains | 4.4 mi | 5.2 |
| WEST PLAINS SR. HIGH West Plains | 4.6 mi | 5.5 |
| WEST PLAINS MIDDLE West Plains | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEM. West Plains | 5.4 mi | 6.3 |
| HOWELL VALLEY ELEM. West Plains | 6.6 mi | 7.9 |
| JUNCTION HILL ELEM. West Plains | 6.2 mi | 6.4 |
| GLENWOOD ELEM. West Plains | 8.0 mi | 5.5 |
| SOUTH FORK ELEM. West Plains | 11.8 mi | 8.6 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH Willow Springs | 15.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE Willow Springs | 15.0 mi | 7.5 |
| WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM. Willow Springs | 15.0 mi | 8.1 |
| MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. Mountain View | 17.9 mi | 8.8 |
| KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong | 18.8 mi | 8.5 |
| KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong | 18.8 mi | 6.7 |
| LIBERTY MIDDLE Mountain View | 19.8 mi | 5.8 |
| DORA ELEM. Dora | 17.9 mi | 7.5 |
| DORA HIGH Dora | 17.9 mi | 7.3 |
| LIBERTY SR. HIGH Mountain View | 19.8 mi | 6.5 |
| BAKERSFIELD ELEM. Bakersfield | 23.2 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 65775 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,854
Median Home Value
$177,700
Median Rent
$776/mo
Population
24,950
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
66.3%
Avg Commute
20.1 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richards Elem. has a median household income of $48,854. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,700, with a median rent of $776/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| ARMSTRONG ELEM. Hazelwood, MO | 5.3 |
| BLUE HILLS ELEM. Independence, MO | 5.3 |
| COMPASS ELEMENTARY Kansas City, MO | 5.3 |
| EAGLE GLEN ELEMENTARY Raymore, MO | 5.3 |
| ELDON UPPER ELEM. Eldon, MO | 5.3 |
| FIELD ELEM. Springfield, MO | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richards Elem.
What grades does Richards Elem. serve?
Richards Elem. serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Richards Elem.?
Richards Elem. has an enrollment of approximately 385 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richards Elem.?
The student-teacher ratio at Richards Elem. is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richards Elem. rank in MO?
Richards Elem. is ranked #1663 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Richards Elem.'s MySchoolScout rating?
Richards Elem. has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Richards Elem.?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richards Elem. has 38.0% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richards Elem. a charter school?
No, Richards Elem. is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richards Elem. a Title I school?
No, Richards Elem. is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richards Elem.?
63.9% of students at Richards Elem. 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
- High (2,183/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Plains). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 385
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 63.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Howell County
- Phone
- (417) 256-5239
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RICHARDS R-V- District Enrollment
- 385
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,562
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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