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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.4Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70%
Reading/ELA Proficiency66%
Math vs. State Avg+15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.8 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)58%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,503

Richards Elementary — Students at Richards Elementary score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 58%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WI FORWARD (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 80.1%
School
State
53.0%
ELA Proficiency 78.7%
School
State
50.9%

Based on 10 test records from WI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
64%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2025
Math
88.8%
ELA
87.8%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.1/10
91th percentile in WI
Academic
9.4/10
9.4/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
1%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
61 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (949/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whitefish Bay). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Whitefish Bay School District
District Enrollment
2,831
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,918
District Rank
#1 of 4

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 methodology

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