Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its Georgia rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Test scores delayed: 2026 rankings for Georgia do not yet include English Language Arts scores, which will not be released by the Georgia Department of Education until winter 2026.

Richards Middle School

Q: Is Richards Middle School a good school?

Richards Middle School ranks 148 th of 578 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

148^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 578 Georgia Middle Schools

Better than 74% of Georgia middle schools

Summary

Richards Middle School in Columbus, GA, serves 799 students in grades 6–8 within the Muscogee County School District, and it has earned a reputation as one of the area's strongest middle schools despite serving a student body where 85% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Richards stands out most dramatically in mathematics. Sixth-grade math proficiency (48.7%) is more than double the district average (21.6%), and seventh-grade math (55.9%) outpaces the state by nearly 14 points. The school's Algebra I End-of-Course results are truly exceptional—100% of students scored proficient or better for four consecutive years, compared to a 35.7% district average and 48.1% statewide. This achievement is unmatched among nearby schools, including Veterans Memorial Middle School (100% in the most recent year but without the same multi-year consistency) and Blackmon Road Middle School (88.1%). Richards also excels in advanced science, with 97.4% of 8th graders passing high school Physical Science—a 36.5-point advantage over the state. The school ranks in the 74th percentile statewide (148th of 578 middle schools), a stark contrast to nearby Arnold Middle School (16th percentile) and Midland Middle School (27th percentile), even though all serve similarly high-poverty populations.

Richards has maintained a 4-star SchoolDigger rating for five straight years, climbing from the 48th percentile a decade ago. Chronic absenteeism has fallen from 26% to 15.5%—now below both district and state averages—while nearby schools like Double Churches Middle School (28%) and Rothschild Leadership Academy School (26.4%) struggle with much higher rates. The school also achieves top-tier results for Asian students (4th statewide) and Hispanic students (29th statewide). Special education outcomes remain an area for growth, ranking in the 46th percentile, but overall Richards demonstrates that high achievement is possible regardless of socioeconomic challenges.

799

Students ?

17.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,748

Per pupil spending ?

85.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2892 Edgewood Rd
Columbus, GA 31906

(706) 569-3697

District: Muscogee County

Students who attend Richards Middle School usually attend:

High:

Hardaway High School

Feeder schools for Richards Middle School:

Elementary:	Clubview Elementary School
	Johnson Elementary School
	Rigdon Road Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

48.8%

White:

25.3%

Hispanic:

10.3%

See top rated Georgia middle schools

Compare Richards Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 48th percentile in 2016 → 74th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Georgia average (50% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2016

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Muscogee County

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg27%

Georgia avg43%

148^th of 578

Georgia public middle schools ?

Top 26%▲ up 26 pts since 2016

From bottom 48% (2016) to top 26% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Georgia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 12Middle Schools in the Muscogee County

148^th of 201Muscogee County among Georgia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	70.4	148 of 578	74.4%	★★★★☆
2025	75.6	125 of 585	78.6%	★★★★☆
2024	71.8	140 of 578	75.8%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	140 of 569	75.4%	★★★★☆
2022	71.9	140 of 558	74.9%	★★★★☆
2021	84.1	71 of 542	86.9%	★★★★☆
2019	63.0	181 of 559	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.4	176 of 543	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	49.5	266 of 539	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	46.2	282 of 545	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	44.2	294 of 537	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2014	32.6	411 of 521	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	40.0	372 of 527	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	43.7	343 of 508	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	41.5	342 of 504	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	46.9	299 of 494	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	48.0	285 of 466	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	45.6	286 of 462	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	60.0	191 of 445	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.1	158 of 420	62.4%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	50.9	192 of 480	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.3	134 of 494	72.9%	★★★★☆
2024	52.1	200 of 489	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	58.4	157 of 485	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.8	129 of 482	73.2%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	83.4	4 of 89	95.5%	★★★★★
2025	85.5	3 of 92	96.7%	★★★★★
2024	83.8	3 of 90	96.7%	★★★★★
2023	80.5	15 of 95	84.2%	★★★★☆
2022	82.7	8 of 89	91.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	68.6	151 of 550	72.5%	★★★★☆
2025	66.2	166 of 567	70.7%	★★★★☆
2024	65.4	166 of 558	70.3%	★★★★☆
2023	63.7	174 of 553	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	68.1	144 of 544	73.5%	★★★★☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	86.7	29 of 374	92.2%	★★★★★
2025	90.2	23 of 400	94.3%	★★★★★
2024	90.3	24 of 381	93.7%	★★★★★
2023	87.1	32 of 380	91.6%	★★★★★
2022	95.8	9 of 367	97.5%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	69.5	142 of 550	74.2%	★★★★☆
2025	81.2	90 of 569	84.2%	★★★★☆
2024	75.6	113 of 561	79.9%	★★★★☆
2023	76.8	105 of 559	81.2%	★★★★☆
2022	73.4	126 of 553	77.2%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2025	46.8	82 of 169	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.5	59 of 172	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	43.3	86 of 145	40.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	39.2	231 of 425	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.4	244 of 442	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.8	259 of 437	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.6	203 of 429	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	34.8	267 of 431	38.1%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Georgia percentile	Rating
2026	84.0	47 of 404	88.4%	★★★★☆
2025	85.2	46 of 415	88.9%	★★★★☆
2024	86.7	38 of 417	90.9%	★★★★★
2023	79.3	73 of 429	83.0%	★★★★☆
2022	77.4	84 of 425	80.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Asian (2026)96th percentile+21 vs school

Hispanic (2026)92nd percentile+18 vs school

White (2026)88th percentile+14 vs school

Male (2026)74th percentile~ school

Female (2026)73rd percentile~ school

African American (2026)60th percentile-14 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)51st percentile-27 vs school

Special Education (2026)46th percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs Georgia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I100%+52 vs state

HS Physical Science97%+36 vs state

Mathematics52%+9 vs state

Social Studies43%+3 vs state

Science34%+4 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Richards Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a teacher
Thursday, October 29, 2020

As a long-time teacher at Richards, since 1998, I’ve witnessed the aim to provide consistent quality instruction and valuable experiences for highly diverse groups of learners. Performing at top levels in academic, arts and sports activities is a standard. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, August 31, 2018

This is underrated for some reasons. Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, October 24, 2009

I loved Richards Middle school except for some of the people...But other wise it was really fun there,I miss being at middle school... Close Quote

Schools Near Richards Middle School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				Milestones Assessment Algebra I (2026)	Milestones Assessment Mathematics (2026)			Milestones Assessment Science (2026)	Milestones Assessment Social Studies (2026)	Milestones Assessment HS Physical Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	Milestones Assessment Algebra I End of Course	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	Milestones Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Science 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment Social Studies 8th Grade	Milestones Assessment HS Physical Science 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Richards Middle School	Public	6-8	2892 Edgewood Rd	Columbus	31906	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3697	799	46	17.2	85.2%	202 (25.3%)	390 (48.8%)	82 (10.3%)	56 (7.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (8.5%)	70.4	148^th of 578 public middle schools	74.4%		75.6	125^th of 585 public middle schools	78.6%	23	100.0	48.7	55.9	52.2	33.5	42.8	97.4	$11,748	$1,005	$10,743
Arnold Middle School	Public	6-8	2011 51st St	Columbus	31904	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2436	582	37	15.6	100.0%	100 (17.2%)	249 (42.8%)	188 (32.3%)	7 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.2%)	17	484^th of 578 public middle schools	16.3%		18.9	477^th of 585 public middle schools	18.5%	7		13.1	20.0	25.0	13.2	13.9		$12,694	$1,253	$11,441
Rothschild Leadership Academy School	Public	6-8	1136 Hunt Ave	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3709	498	36	13.9	100.0%	13 (2.6%)	426 (85.5%)	28 (5.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (5.6%)	9.3	550^th of 578 public middle schools	4.8%		7.5	570^th of 585 public middle schools	2.6%	20		5.2	6.3	12.3	12.0	8.5		$12,848	$1,539	$11,310
Fort Middle School	Public	6-8	2900 Woodruff Farm Rd	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 569-3740	440	33	13.5	100.0%	31 (7.0%)	339 (77.0%)	39 (8.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (6.6%)	8	556^th of 578 public middle schools	3.8%		15.3	514^th of 585 public middle schools	12.1%	42	44.4	5.9	13.9	8.5	5.6	7.1	12.6	$14,191	$1,295	$12,896
East Columbus Magnet Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	6100 Georgetown Dr	Columbus	31907	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	Yes	No	Yes	(706) 565-3026	395	31	12.5	97.5%	6 (1.5%)	355 (89.9%)	18 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (4.1%)	11.9	530^th of 578 public middle schools	8.3%		15.1	516^th of 585 public middle schools	11.8%	14	66.7	12.7	19.0	13.4	8.0	7.8	43.8	$14,886	$1,192	$13,694
Baker Middle School	Public	6-8	1215 Benning Dr	Columbus	31903	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 683-8721	631	40	15.6	100.0%	19 (3.0%)	487 (77.2%)	99 (15.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.8%)	7.1	564^th of 578 public middle schools	2.4%		5.6	577^th of 585 public middle schools	1.4%	13		4.0	6.7	6.2	8.1	5.0		$13,081	$1,370	$11,711
Double Churches Middle School	Public	6-8	7611 Whitesville Rd	Columbus	31904	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 748-2678	429	36	12.0	100.0%	89 (20.7%)	243 (56.6%)	38 (8.9%)	4 (0.9%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (12.4%)	18.4	477^th of 578 public middle schools	17.5%		21	462^nd of 585 public middle schools	21.0%	15	65.0	11.9	18.3	14.7	10.6	23.7	86.4	$17,209	$1,818	$15,392
Blackmon Road Middle School	Public	6-8	7251 Blackmon Rd	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 565-2998	478	46	10.3	78.7%	145 (30.3%)	203 (42.5%)	61 (12.8%)	29 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	37 (7.7%)	49.6	263^rd of 578 public middle schools	54.5%		57.5	223^rd of 585 public middle schools	61.9%	40	88.1	27.2	26.6	44.3	36.8	40.9	73.9	$16,978	$1,226	$15,752
Eddy Middle School	Public	6-8	2100 S Lumpkin Rd	Columbus	31903	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	Yes	(706) 683-8782	448	31	14.3	100.0%	14 (3.1%)	316 (70.5%)	96 (21.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.7%)	6.9	566^th of 578 public middle schools	2.1%		7.2	571^st of 585 public middle schools	2.4%	5		2.9	10.4	9.0	4.2	4.9		$13,545	$1,381	$12,164
Veterans Memorial Middle School	Public	6-8	2008 Old Guard Rd	Columbus	31909	Muscogee County	Muscogee County	No	No	No	No	(706) 748-3203	681	43	15.8	75.9%	243 (35.7%)	224 (32.9%)	113 (16.6%)	46 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	52 (7.6%)	42.6	307^th of 578 public middle schools	46.9%		35.8	370^th of 585 public middle schools	36.8%	63	100.0	28.2	23.4	29.1	32.1	43.0	82.2	$11,672	$769	$10,904

Frequently Asked Questions about Richards Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Richards Middle School?

Students at Richards Middle School are 49% African American, 25% White, 10% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 7% Asian.

Is Richards Middle School a good school?

Richards Middle School ranks 148^th of 578 Georgia middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Richards Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 799 students attended Richards Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Richards Middle School attend?

Students who attend Richards Middle School usually go on to attend Hardaway High School

What district is Richards Middle School in?

Muscogee County

Rate Richards Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

GAGeorgia Middle School Rankings

GAGeorgia District Rankings

Schools in Columbus, GA

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Richards Middle School!

Latest Georgia data All new data »

2025–26 attendance dataAug 6, 2026

2025–26 Milestones Assessment scoresAug 6, 2026

2021–22 through 2024–25 Milestones Assessment scores (updated)Aug 6, 2026

2024–25 dropout ratesFeb 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Georgia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.