Average
#1457 of 1,850 schools in VA
Richmond Alternative
High School · Richmond City Public Schools
119 West Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher
26.8:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Richmond
#56 of 94
public schools
Virginia high schools
#307 of 323
In district
#33 of 46
Richmond City Public Schools
About Richmond Alternative
Richmond Alternative is an alternative high school located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. Serving students from sixth through twelfth grade, it offers a unique educational experience with a total enrollment of 134 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 26.8:1. The school has five full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community.
Richmond Alternative's academic performance places it at the 25th percentile among Virginia schools, indicating there is room for growth in test scores and overall educational outcomes. In English Language Arts and Reading, 82% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 66% meet proficiency standards. These numbers suggest that while some areas show strong performance, others offer opportunities for improvement.
The school is situated in a mid-size city setting within the Richmond area, providing access to urban resources and community support. Despite its current standing, Richmond Alternative continues to focus on student development and offers an alternative pathway for students seeking personalized education options.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 134 students, Richmond Alternative 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.
While current test scores at Richmond Alternative are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
The student-teacher ratio at Richmond Alternative is 26.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Richmond Alternative — Students at Richmond Alternative score 74% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 91%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores VA EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from VA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.6/10.
How Richmond Alternative Compares
See how Richmond Alternative performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 65% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 83% (2019) to 82% (2021).
Location
119 West Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23220
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richmond Alternative may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Open High (rated 9.8/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Richmond Community High (rated 9.5/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Richmond, see our Richmond schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| George W. Carver Elementary Richmond | 0.5 mi | 6.2 |
| ST ANDREW'S SCHOOL Richmond | 0.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Open High Richmond | 1.0 mi | 9.8 |
| ORCHARD HOUSE SCHOOL Richmond | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| SEVEN HILLS SCHOOL Richmond | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Dogwood Middle Richmond | 1.2 mi | 2.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center Richmond | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| METROPOLITAN DAY SCHOOL Richmond | 1.5 mi | — |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Richmond | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Overby-Sheppard Elementary Richmond | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| CENTRAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF VIRGINIA Richmond | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Richmond Community High Richmond | 1.6 mi | 9.5 |
| Barack Obama Elementary Richmond | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Bellevue Elementary Richmond | 1.6 mi | 5.5 |
| William Fox Elementary Richmond | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Maymont Pre-K Center Richmond | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Amelia Street Special Education Richmond | 1.8 mi | — |
| VERITAS SCHOOL Richmond | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Richmond | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| GEARA GROUP/EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER Richmond | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 23220 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,681
Median Home Value
$468,900
Median Rent
$1,354/mo
Population
34,524
College Educated
58.9%
Homeownership
32.8%
Avg Commute
18.5 min
Poverty Rate
26.6%
Median Age
28.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richmond Alternative has a median household income of $56,681. It is a well-educated community where 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $468,900, with a median rent of $1,354/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Arlington Community High Arlington, VA | 4.9 |
| Mountain View High Centreville, VA | 6.0 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob, VA | 6.0 |
| MASSANUTTEN MILITARY ACADEMY Woodstock, VA | 6.3 |
| R.I.S.E Academy at the John M. Langston Campus Danville, VA | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richmond Alternative
What grades does Richmond Alternative serve?
Richmond Alternative serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Richmond Alternative?
Richmond Alternative has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richmond Alternative?
The student-teacher ratio at Richmond Alternative is 26.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richmond Alternative rank in VA?
Richmond Alternative is ranked #1457 out of 1,850 schools in VA.
What is Richmond Alternative's MySchoolScout rating?
Richmond Alternative has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Richmond Alternative?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richmond Alternative has 65.5% math proficiency and 82.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richmond Alternative a charter school?
No, Richmond Alternative is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richmond Alternative a Title I school?
No, Richmond Alternative is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,531/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Richmond). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 134
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 26.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richmond city
- Phone
- (804) 780-4388
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richmond City Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 20,819
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,413
- District Rank
- #33 of 46
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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