Excellent
#200 of 2,102 schools in WI
Top 10% in state
Richards Elementary
Elementary School · Whitefish Bay School District
5812 N Santa Monica Blvd, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Enrollment
680
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
680
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whitefish Bay
#1 of 4
public schools
Wisconsin elementary schools
#135 of 1,099
In district
#1 of 4
Whitefish Bay School District
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Richards Elementary
Richards Elementary serves 680 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, delivering exceptional academic results that place it among the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking 75th out of 2,112 Wisconsin schools, Richards demonstrates outstanding educational excellence that puts it in the 96th percentile statewide. The school's academic achievements are particularly impressive, with 79% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 80% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These strong outcomes reflect the dedicated work of 37 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain an 18.4-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for meaningful individual attention and support. Richards Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent and highly educated community where 73% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood's median household income of $124,338 and median home value of $406,300 reflect the area's prosperity, while the low 6.2% poverty rate indicates strong community stability.
This supportive environment, combined with engaged families and quality instruction, creates an ideal setting for student success. The school is situated in Whitefish Bay's large suburban setting, providing students with access to both excellent educational resources and the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Richards Elementary — Students at Richards Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)
Based on 10 test records from WI 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: 9.5/10.
How Richards Elementary Compares
See how Richards Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64% (2019) to 70% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 64% (2019) to 66% (2021).
Location
5812 N Santa Monica Blvd, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Richards Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MILWAUKEE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Milwaukee), with a very similar rating. Another option is Stormonth Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Milwaukee), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BADER HILLEL ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Milwaukee), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Whitefish Bay, see our Whitefish Bay schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST MONICA SCHOOL Whitefish Bay | 0.3 mi | 7.3 |
| DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.3 mi | 8.5 |
| BADER HILLEL ACADEMY Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| MILWAUKEE JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Milwaukee | 0.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Whitefish Bay Middle Whitefish Bay | 0.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Whitefish Bay High Whitefish Bay | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Nicolet High Glendale | 1.2 mi | 7.2 |
| HOLY FAMILY PARISH SCHOOL Whitefish Bay | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Parkway Elementary Glendale | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Cumberland Elementary Whitefish Bay | 1.5 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTH SHORE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Glendale | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Stormonth Elementary Milwaukee | 1.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Southeastern Milwaukee | 2.0 mi | — |
| Pratt Elementary Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| EASTBROOK ACADEMY Milwaukee | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Lake Bluff Elementary Shorewood | 2.0 mi | 7.3 |
| TORAH ACADEMY OF MILWAUKEE Glendale | 1.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ST EUGENE SCHOOL Fox Point | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| BADER HILLEL HIGH SCHOOL Glendale | 1.8 mi | 8.4 |
| MESSMER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Milwaukee | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 53217 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$132,044
Median Home Value
$426,100
Median Rent
$1,519/mo
Population
30,381
College Educated
73.3%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
22.3 min
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Richards Elementary has a median household income of $132,044. It is a well-educated community where 73% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $426,100, with a median rent of $1,519/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Big Bend Elementary Big Bend, WI | 8.1 |
| Elm Dale Elementary Greenfield, WI | 8.1 |
| Poynette Elementary Poynette, WI | 8.1 |
| Shiocton Elementary Shiocton, WI | 8.1 |
| Tomahawk Elementary Tomahawk, WI | 8.1 |
| Woodview Elementary Grafton, WI | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Richards Elementary
What grades does Richards Elementary serve?
Richards Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Richards Elementary?
Richards Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 680 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Richards Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Richards Elementary is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Richards Elementary rank in WI?
Richards Elementary is ranked #200 out of 2,102 schools in WI.
What is Richards Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Richards Elementary has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Richards Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richards Elementary has 80.1% math proficiency and 78.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Richards Elementary a charter school?
No, Richards Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Richards Elementary a Title I school?
No, Richards Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richards Elementary?
0.9% of students at Richards 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 680
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 0.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Milwaukee County
- Phone
- (414) 963-3951
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Whitefish Bay School District- District Enrollment
- 2,831
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,918
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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