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 211 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 5%).
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 8:1 is lower than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 211 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Minority Enrollment: 75%
- Graduation Rate: ≥90% (Top 50% in VA)
- Math Proficiency: 70-79% (Top 1%)
- Reading Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: ≥90% (Top 1%)
- Attendance Zone: Richmond Community High's attendance zone encompasses the entire school district in Richmond, VA, covering approximately 62.5 square miles. Families can expect a typical drive of 10-15 minutes to the school, with the average distance from the school to the edge of the zone being about 5.7 miles and the furthest edge reaching up to 9.5 miles.
- 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
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Richmond Community High School's student population of 211 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 26 teachers has grown by 36% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
211 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
26 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1977
School Calendar
School Rankings
The diversity score of Richmond Community High School is 0.61, 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.
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)70-79%
54%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)≥90%
69%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)≥90%
59%
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
8%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
12%
20%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Black
56%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
25%
44%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
5%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥90%
88.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)5.2%
19.1%
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
57%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 31-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
8%
6%
Showing 2005–2014. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
School Mascot
Pharaohs
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
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 88.8%.
How many students attend Richmond Community High School?
211 students attend Richmond Community High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
56% of Richmond Community High School students are Black, 25% of students are White, 12% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, 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 8:1, 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
How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?
Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.
Does Your Child Need More Recess?
Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.
Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know
Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.
