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#1458 of 2,648 schools in NC

Richlands Elementary

Elementary School · Onslow County Schools

415 Cow Horn Road, Richlands, NC 28574

Enrollment

620

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,458 of 2,648

In Richlands

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#20 of 39

Onslow County Schools

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Richlands Elementary

6.1/10

Elementary School in Richlands · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Trexler Middle

4.9/10

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

Richlands High

6.5/10

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

About Richlands Elementary

Richlands Elementary is a public elementary school in Richlands, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Richlands Elementary serves approximately 620 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Richlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,458 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Richlands Elementary show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Richlands Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

31% of students at Richlands Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62.4% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.5% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg-1.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.9 pts
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment5.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,056
Chronic Absenteeism31.3%

Richlands Elementary — Students at Richlands Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 51.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
59.4% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
52.7% (2025 NC)

Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
83%
ELA
74%
2012
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2014
Math
34%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
33%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
48.7%
ELA
43.7%
2025
Math
62.4%
ELA
51.6%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How Richlands Elementary Compares

See how Richlands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
45th percentile in NC
Academic
6.4/10
Average
Growth
6.0/10
Average
Environment
5.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

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

415 Cow Horn Road, Richlands, NC 28574

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richlands Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Comfort Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Comfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heritage Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parkwood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Richlands, see our Richlands schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Trexler Middle Richlands 1.4 mi 4.9
Richlands High Richlands 1.6 mi 6.5
Heritage Elementary School Richlands 1.6 mi 8.2
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands 2.7 mi 6.3
Stateside Elementary Jacksonville 3.4 mi 4.9
Clear View Elementary Jacksonville 6.3 mi 5.9
Summersill Elementary Jacksonville 6.4 mi 6.5
Comfort Elementary Comfort 7.7 mi 8.8
LWCS Jacksonville 7.2 mi 6.3
ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 7.8 mi
Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville 8.6 mi 5.8
Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville 8.4 mi 6.3
Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville 9.1 mi 7.2
Jacksonville High Jacksonville 9.2 mi 6.3
Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville 9.6 mi 5.2
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 9.5 mi 8.7
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 9.5 mi 6.6
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville 10.1 mi 4.5
Southwest High Jacksonville 10.3 mi 3.7
ST ANNE'S PARISH DAY SCHOOL Jacksonville 9.8 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 28574 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,555

Median Home Value

$204,500

Median Rent

$1,123/mo

Population

20,631

College Educated

19.6%

Homeownership

76%

Avg Commute

32.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.9%

Median Age

28.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Belmont Elementary School Roanoke Rapids, NC 6.1
Eastway Elementary Durham, NC 6.1
Edwin A Alderman Elementary Greensboro, NC 6.1
Elkin Elementary Elkin, NC 6.1
Eno Valley Elementary Durham, NC 6.1
Evergreen Community Charter Asheville, NC 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richlands Elementary

What grades does Richlands Elementary serve?

Richlands Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Richlands Elementary?

Richlands Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 620 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richlands Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Richlands Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richlands Elementary rank in NC?

Richlands Elementary ranks #1,458 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Richlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Richlands Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Richlands Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richlands Elementary has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Richlands Elementary a charter school?

No, Richlands Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Richlands Elementary a Title I school?

No, Richlands Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richlands Elementary?

49.8% of students at Richlands Elementary 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
1 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Onslow County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.3%

District

Onslow County Schools
District Enrollment
27,592
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,056
District Rank
#20 of 39

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