Average
#950 of 2,216 schools in MO
Top 43% in state
Richland High
High School · RICHLAND R-I
24456 STATE HWY 114, Essex, MO 63846
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
117
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
6.6
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Essex
#2 of 2
public schools
Missouri high schools
#221 of 532
In district
#2 of 2
RICHLAND R-I
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Richland High
Richland High serves 117 students in grades 7-12 in the rural community of Essex, Missouri. This small public school maintains an impressive 9:1 student-teacher ratio with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #246 out of 2,234 Missouri schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.
With an academic score of 7.9 out of 10, Richland High shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 57% of students perform at proficient or above levels across tested grades. Mathematics achievement stands at 44% proficient or above, indicating room for continued growth in this subject area. Located at 24456 State Highway 114 in Stoddard County, the school serves a close-knit community where the median household income is $56,154 and median home values are $98,000.
The surrounding area has a population of 1,143 residents, with 8% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 20.8%. Richland High operates in Missouri's rural heartland, where strong community ties and small-school advantages create a supportive educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 117 students, Richland High is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Richland High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Richland High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Richland High — Students at Richland High score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.5%
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: 1.4/10.
How Richland High Compares
See how Richland High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 44.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
24456 STATE HWY 114, Essex, MO 63846
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richland High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BERNIE HIGH (rated 8.1/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Bernie), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLOOMFIELD HIGH (rated 7.6/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Bloomfield), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BELL CITY HIGH (rated 7.2/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Bell City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Essex, see our Essex schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RICHLAND ELEM. Essex | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| BLOOMFIELD ELEM. Bloomfield | 7.2 mi | 4.7 |
| BLOOMFIELD HIGH Bloomfield | 7.2 mi | 7.6 |
| JUVENILE CTR. Bloomfield | 7.2 mi | — |
| BLOOMFIELD MIDDLE Bloomfield | 7.2 mi | 4.9 |
| CROWLEY RIDGE SCHOOL Dexter | 7.5 mi | — |
| SOUTHWEST ELEM. Dexter | 7.8 mi | 5.6 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY PRESCHOOL Dexter | 7.8 mi | 6.0 |
| DEXTER HIGH Dexter | 7.9 mi | 3.4 |
| T. S. HILL MIDDLE Dexter | 8.0 mi | 6.6 |
| CENTRAL ELEM. Dexter | 8.1 mi | 7.5 |
| BERNIE ELEM. Bernie | 12.7 mi | 6.1 |
| BERNIE HIGH Bernie | 12.7 mi | 8.1 |
| BELL CITY ELEM. Bell City | 14.4 mi | 4.0 |
| BELL CITY HIGH Bell City | 14.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ANCHOR ACADEMY Vanduser | 14.6 mi | — |
| SIKESTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Sikeston | 13.9 mi | 6.6 |
| LEE HUNTER ELEM. Sikeston | 14.1 mi | 6.2 |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Sikeston | 14.2 mi | 6.4 |
| SIKESTON HOPE CTR. Sikeston | 14.2 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 63846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,421
Median Home Value
$97,200
Median Rent
$723/mo
Population
1,110
College Educated
9.9%
Homeownership
80.3%
Poverty Rate
19.1%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richland High has a median household income of $58,421. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $97,200, with a median rent of $723/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.1%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BUNKER HIGH Bunker, MO | 6.6 |
| NORTH SHELBY HIGH Shelbyville, MO | 6.6 |
| Nodaway-Holt MS/HS Graham, MO | 6.6 |
| SOUTHLAND HIGH Cardwell, MO | 6.6 |
| EMINENCE HIGH Eminence, MO | 6.5 |
| LA MONTE HIGH La Monte, MO | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richland High
What grades does Richland High serve?
Richland High serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Richland High?
Richland High has an enrollment of approximately 117 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richland High?
The student-teacher ratio at Richland High is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richland High rank in MO?
Richland High is ranked #950 out of 2,216 schools in MO.
What is Richland High's MySchoolScout rating?
Richland High has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Richland High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richland High has 49.5% math proficiency and 65.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richland High a charter school?
No, Richland High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richland High a Title I school?
No, Richland High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richland High?
73.5% of students at Richland High 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
- County Safety
- Average (473/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 117
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Stoddard County
- Phone
- (573) 283-5332
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
RICHLAND R-I- District Enrollment
- 263
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,300
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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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