Richmond Community High School is an alternative high school operated by the Richmond City Public Schools in Richmond, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1977 as America's first full-time, four year, public high school for academically talented students primarily from minority and low-income families.
Serving 198 students in grades 9-12, Richmond Community High School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 70-79% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 54%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is ≥90% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 198 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Minority Enrollment: 77%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 10%
- Math Proficiency: 70-79% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 1%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Richmond Community High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Richmond Community High School's student population of 198 students has declined by 17% over five school years.
The teacher population of 23 teachers has grown by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
198 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
23 teachers
Year Founded
1977
School Rankings
Richmond Community High School ranks within the top 10% of all 1,792 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Richmond Community High School is 0.59, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#160 out of 1792 schools
(Top 10%)
(Top 10%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)70-79%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)≥90%
69%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)≥90%
59%
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
8%
Hispanic
11%
19%
Black
59%
22%
White
23%
44%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
6%
7%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥90%
89%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
55%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
8%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Richmond Community High School's ranking?
Richmond Community High School is ranked #160 out of 1,792 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Richmond Community High School often compared to?
Richmond Community High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Open High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
70-79% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 54% VA state average), while ≥90% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Richmond Community High School?
The graduation rate of Richmond Community High School is 90%, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 89%.
How many students attend Richmond Community High School?
198 students attend Richmond Community High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of Richmond Community High School students are Black, 23% of students are White, 11% of students are Hispanic, 6% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Richmond Community High School?
Richmond Community High School has a student ration of 9:1, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Richmond Community High School offer ?
Richmond Community High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Richmond Community High School part of?
Richmond Community High School is part of Richmond City School District.
In what neighborhood is Richmond Community High School located?
Richmond Community High School is located in the Northern Barton Heights neighborhood of Richmond, VA.
School Reviews
Review Richmond Community High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
