Richards School For Young Women Leaders

Richards School For Young Women Leaders is a public, all-female magnet school in Austin, TX, serving 920 students in grades 6 through 12 within the Austin Independent School District (Isd). This school is a standout for academic excellence, consistently ranking in the top 5% of all Texas high schools—for the 2024-2025 school year, it placed 49th out of nearly 2,000 schools. Its performance far exceeds nearby schools; for example, Austin High School ranks in the 82nd percentile, while Travis Early College High School and Crockett Early College High School rank much lower.

Key metrics highlight the school’s exceptional outcomes. It boasts a near-perfect graduation rate of 98.9% or higher over the last five years, with a negligible dropout rate, compared to the district average of 90.2% graduation and 1.9% dropout. On state STAAR exams, proficiency rates are roughly 40 to 50 percentage points above the district average—for instance, 95.59% of students are proficient in English I Reading versus 55.92% district-wide. The school also serves a diverse student body effectively, with 36.74% qualifying for free/reduced lunch, and it ranks in the 93rd percentile or higher for all student subgroups, including those from low-income backgrounds. Notably, it achieves these results with efficient spending of $10,215 per student, less than many peers like Travis Early College High School ($12,499).

While the school excels in literacy and science, math scores are a relative weakness—for example, 8th-grade math proficiency is 61.66% versus 89.31% for reading. Additionally, performance for Gifted and Talented students dipped to the 40th percentile in 2025-2026, suggesting a need for more advanced differentiation. Overall, Richards School is a high-performing, equitable institution that stands as a beacon of academic success within its district, offering a focused college-preparatory environment for young women.