Below Average
#2470 of 2,648 schools in NC
Richlands High
High School · Onslow County Schools
8100 Richlands Hwy, Richlands, NC 28574
Enrollment
1,043
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,043
Student-Teacher
18:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richlands
#4 of 4
public schools
North Carolina high schools
#492 of 579
In district
#37 of 39
Onslow County Schools
About Richlands High
Richlands High serves 1,043 students in grades 9-12 in Onslow County, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 supported by 58 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school ranks in the 44th percentile among North Carolina high schools, with room for academic growth as students work toward stronger proficiency levels. Currently, 51% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 50% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10, reflecting ongoing efforts to support student achievement across all grade levels. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $61,312 and median home values average $185,900. About 20% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 11.1%.
The surrounding ZIP code area is home to nearly 20,000 residents. Richlands High is positioned along Richlands Highway in a rural setting near the town of Richlands, providing students with a close-knit school environment while maintaining access to broader educational and community resources throughout Onslow County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Richlands 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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Richlands High — Students at Richlands High score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 6 test records from NC 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: 2.2/10.
How Richlands High Compares
See how Richlands High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 33.6% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 50.6% (2025).
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 6.1/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Southwest High (rated 3.4/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Jacksonville), with a comparable rating. 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 | 7.8 |
| Trexler Middle Richlands | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Richlands | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Richlands Elementary Richlands | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Stateside Elementary Jacksonville | 4.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Clear View Elementary Jacksonville | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Summersill Elementary Jacksonville | 7.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ONSLOW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville | 7.8 mi | — |
| Comfort Elementary Comfort | 8.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Meadow View Elementary Jacksonville | 8.4 mi | 7.2 |
| LWCS Jacksonville | 8.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Parkwood Elementary Jacksonville | 9.7 mi | 6.3 |
| CEDAR FORK MENNONITE SCHOOL Beulaville | 8.7 mi | — |
| Blue Creek Elementary Jacksonville | 10.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Southwest High Jacksonville | 10.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Carolina Forest Elementary Jacksonville | 9.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Jacksonville High Jacksonville | 10.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Northwoods Park Middle Jacksonville | 10.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Southwest Elementary Jacksonville | 11.1 mi | 7.8 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richlands High 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 |
|---|---|
| Hibriten High Lenoir, NC | 4.0 |
| North Forsyth High Winston-Salem, NC | 4.0 |
| North Lenoir High La Grange, NC | 4.0 |
| Triton High Erwin, NC | 4.0 |
| Walkertown High Walkertown, NC | 4.0 |
| West Davidson High Lexington, NC | 4.0 |
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 is ranked #2470 out of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Richlands High's MySchoolScout rating?
Richlands High has a composite rating of 4.0 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richlands High has 45.9% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (910) 324-4191
- 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
- #37 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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