Summary:
Zip code 31906 in Columbus, GA is served by a single middle school, Richards Middle School, which enrolls 799 students in grades 6-8 within the Muscogee County School District.
Richards Middle School is a standout performer, especially given that 85% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school consistently earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the top quartile of Georgia middle schools (74th-79th percentile), a remarkable contrast to its district, which ranks in the bottom quartile statewide. In fact, Richards outperforms the district in every single subject and grade level tested. Its greatest strength is mathematics: proficiency rates in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math (48.7%, 55.9%, and 52.2% respectively) all exceed state averages, and the school achieved a perfect 100% proficiency on the Algebra I End-of-Course exam—more than double the state average of 48.1%. Eighth graders also posted a stellar 97.4% proficiency in High School Physical Science, far surpassing the state rate of 60.9%.
While math and advanced coursework are clear highlights, 8th grade general Science is the school's relative weak spot at 33.5% proficiency—still above the district (18.2%) and state (29.7%) averages, but down nearly 12 points from the prior year. Social Studies proficiency (42.8%) also slipped slightly but remains above the state average. Encouragingly, chronic absenteeism at 15.5% is lower than both the district (19.5%) and state (17.7%), suggesting strong student engagement. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 and per-student spending of $11,748, Richards Middle School achieves exceptional results without extraordinary resources, making it a model of effective instruction and resource allocation within an otherwise struggling district.
Thank you for your feedback!