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Average

#1258 of 2,648 schools in NC

Top 48% in state

Richlands High

High School · Onslow County Schools

8100 Richlands Hwy, Richlands, NC 28574

Enrollment

1,043

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

North Carolina schools

#1,258 of 2,648

In Richlands

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#14 of 39

Onslow County Schools

Academic growth

8.2 / 10

Excellent

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Richlands High

6.5/10

High School in Richlands · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Heritage Elementary School

8.2/10

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

Trexler Middle

4.9/10

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

About Richlands High

Richlands High is a public high school in Richlands, NC, part of Onslow County Schools. Richlands High serves approximately 1,043 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Richlands High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,258 of 2,648 schools in NC.

Structured state assessment records for Richlands High show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.6 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • NC avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Richlands High 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.

33% of students at Richlands High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics6.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65.7% (2025 NC)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.6% (2025 NC)
Math vs. State Avg+9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3 pts
Overall Proficiency58% (2025 NC, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)64% (model expectation from 2025 NC)
vs. Expected-5.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation15.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,056
Chronic Absenteeism33%

Richlands High — Students at Richlands High score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.0% (2025 NC)
ELA Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.6% (2025 NC)

Based on 28 test records from NC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
23%
ELA
47%
2013
Math
28%
ELA
42%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
67%
2025
Math
65.7%
ELA
50.6%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Richlands High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
53th percentile in NC
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 3
Sports
19
10 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
58 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.0%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
15.1% participation·State avg: 3 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics19sports offered
10 boys'·9 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

8100 Richlands Hwy, Richlands, NC 28574

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richlands High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Jacksonville High (rated 6.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Southwest High (rated 3.7/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Richlands, see our Richlands schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Heritage Elementary School Richlands 0.3 mi 8.2
Trexler Middle Richlands 0.5 mi 4.9
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands 1.5 mi 6.3
Richlands Elementary Richlands 1.6 mi 6.1
Stateside Elementary Jacksonville 4.4 mi 4.9
Clear View Elementary Jacksonville 6.3 mi 5.9
Summersill Elementary Jacksonville 7.0 mi 6.5
ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville 7.8 mi
Comfort Elementary Comfort 8.1 mi 8.8
Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville 8.4 mi 5.8
LWCS Jacksonville 8.0 mi 6.3
Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville 9.7 mi 7.2
CEDAR FORK MENNONITE SCHOOL Beulaville 8.7 mi
Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville 10.4 mi 4.5
Southwest High Jacksonville 10.5 mi 3.7
Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville 9.4 mi 6.3
Jacksonville High Jacksonville 10.0 mi 6.3
Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville 10.2 mi 5.2
Southwest Elementary Jacksonville 11.1 mi 5.3
GRACE CLASSICAL SCHOOL Jacksonville 10.3 mi 8.7

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
Central Davidson High Lexington, NC 6.5
Forest Hills High Marshville, NC 6.5
Mount Pleasant High Mount Pleasant, NC 6.5
Nash Central High Rocky Mount, NC 6.5
North Johnston High Kenly, NC 6.5
The Franklin School of Innovation Asheville, NC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richlands High

What grades does Richlands High serve?

Richlands High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Richlands High?

Richlands High has an enrollment of approximately 1,043 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richlands High?

The student-teacher ratio at Richlands High is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richlands High rank in NC?

Richlands High ranks #1,258 of 2,648 schools in NC.

What is Richlands High's MySchoolScout rating?

Richlands High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Richlands High has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Richlands High a charter school?

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

Is Richlands High a Title I school?

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

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

43.2% of students at Richlands 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
56 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,043
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
58
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Onslow County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.0%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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