Very Good
#509 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Richlands Elementary
Elementary School · Onslow County Schools
415 Cow Horn Road, Richlands, NC 28574
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
620
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richlands
#1 of 4
public schools
North Carolina elementary schools
#450 of 1,474
In district
#3 of 39
Onslow County Schools
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Richlands Elementary
Richlands Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Richlands, North Carolina. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 620 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Richlands Elementary aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its young learners.
According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks at 6.3 out of 10 and is in the 62nd percentile among North Carolina schools based on state rankings. Academically, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 54% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores suggest there is room for growth and improvement in academic performance.
Richlands Elementary’s setting offers a peaceful rural atmosphere near the town it serves, providing a close-knit community feel for its students.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Richlands Elementary 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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Richlands Elementary — Students at Richlands Elementary score 57% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 12 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Richlands Elementary Compares
See how Richlands Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 33% (2019) to 62.4% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 35% (2019) to 51.5% (2025).
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 9.1/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Comfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carolina Forest Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Stateside Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), with a very similar rating. 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 | 5.8 |
| Richlands High Richlands | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Heritage Elementary School Richlands | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Stateside Elementary Jacksonville | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 6.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort | 7.7 mi | 9.1 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 7.2 mi | 6.3 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 7.8 mi | — |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 8.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville | 8.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 9.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 9.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 9.6 mi | 6.2 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 10.3 mi | 3.4 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richlands Elementary has a median household income of $66,555. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $204,500, with a median rent of $1,123/month. The local poverty rate of 9.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaverdam Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Brooks Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
| Carrboro Elementary Carrboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Claremont Elementary Claremont, NC | 7.9 |
| Clear Creek Elementary Hendersonville, NC | 7.9 |
| Douglas Elementary Raleigh, NC | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #509 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Richlands Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richlands Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Richlands Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richlands Elementary has 54.4% math proficiency and 46.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richlands). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (910) 324-4142
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onslow County Schools- District Enrollment
- 27,592
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,056
- District Rank
- #3 of 39
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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