Summary
Richfield School is a small, rural alternative public school in Richfield, Idaho, serving 208 students in grades PK-12. It is the only school in the Richfield District, so school and district data are identical. About 73% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, a reflection of the area's economic challenges. The student-teacher ratio is 13:1 and per-pupil spending is $12,525.
In the most recent school year, Richfield's proficiency rates were below state averages in all core subjects: 32.7% in math (state: 43.1%), 34.5% in English language arts (state: 54.0%), and 38.0% in science (state: 42.7%). The gap in ELA is particularly large at 19.5 percentage points. Chronic absenteeism stands at 18.4%, above the state average of 13.8% but a major improvement from 34.0% a few years ago. Compared to Dietrich School, located just 11 miles away, Richfield trails significantly in math (32.7% vs. 50.6%) and ELA (34.5% vs. 61.3%), but performs better in science (38.0% vs. 30.6%). Dietrich also has a lower poverty rate (50.3%), smaller class sizes (10.3:1), and lower chronic absenteeism (10.4%).
Despite the overall trends, there are bright spots. Richfield's 3rd-grade math proficiency is 66.7%, well above the state average of 50.9%, and 8th-grade math also exceeds state levels. The graduation rate has fluctuated between 77.8% and 91.7% over the past five years, with the most recent rate of 82.5% matching the state average exactly. For parents, Richfield offers a close-knit rural environment with some areas of academic strength, particularly in early math. However, the school faces real challenges in literacy, attendance, and overall proficiency compared with nearby Dietrich School, making it worthwhile for families to explore both options.
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