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Richmond High School for the Arts

Q: Is Richmond High School for the Arts a good school?

Richmond High School for the Arts ranks in the bottom 1.8% of Virginia high schools.

Q: How many students attend Richmond High School for the Arts?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,116 students attended Richmond High School for the Arts.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Richmond High School for the Arts?

Students at Richmond High School for the Arts are 55% Hispanic, 39% African American, 4% White, 2% Asian.

Q: What schools feed into Richmond High School for the Arts?

Richmond High School for the Arts is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Broad Rock Elementary Elementary : Cardinal Elementary Elementary : Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary Elementary : Swansboro Elementary Middle : Thomas C. Boushall Middle

Public Grades 9-12

325^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 331 Virginia High Schools

Better than 2% of Virginia high schools

Summary

Richmond High School for the Arts (RHSA) serves 1,116 students in grades 9–12 within Richmond City Public Schools, a district ranked in the bottom 10% of Virginia districts. The school itself is ranked 325th out of 331 Virginia high schools for 2025-26, placing it in the 2nd percentile statewide with a zero-star rating — and this is not a new development. RHSA has ranked in the bottom 1–3% of Virginia high schools for over a decade, with no evidence of a turnaround.

The most alarming numbers are graduation and dropout rates. Only 56.7% of RHSA students graduate within four years, compared with 92.3% statewide, and the dropout rate is 32.2% — more than six times the state rate of 5.0%. Chronic absenteeism affects 40.2% of students, nearly triple the state rate of 14.8%. The school's subgroup effectiveness is also among the lowest in Virginia across nearly every category — including African American, Hispanic, low-income, female, male, and disabled students — with most subgroups ranking in the 1st to 4th percentile.

The key insight is that poverty does not explain these outcomes. While 94% of RHSA students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, nearby schools with similar or higher poverty rates achieve dramatically better results: Open High and Richmond Community High both report 100% graduation rates, and Franklin Military Academy graduates 100% of its students despite serving an equally high-poverty population. Even Armstrong High (85.6% graduation) and Huguenot High (78.1%) far outperform RHSA. The one bright spot is English Learner students, whose outcomes improved from the 1st percentile in 2023-24 to the 27th percentile in 2025-26 — suggesting focused interventions can work. For parents, the data paint a picture of a school in crisis where the core issue is school effectiveness, not the students it serves.

1,116

Students ?

9.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,953

Per pupil spending ?

94.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4314 Crutchfield St
Richmond, VA 23225-4767

(804) 780-5037

District: Richmond City Public Schools

Feeder schools for Richmond High School for the Arts:

Elementary:	Broad Rock Elementary
	Cardinal Elementary
	Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary
	Swansboro Elementary
Middle:	Thomas C. Boushall Middle

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

54.7%

African American:

38.9%

White:

3.6%

See top rated Virginia high schools

Compare Richmond High School for the Arts to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 3rd percentile in 2016 → 2nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Virginia average (49% vs 78% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (2nd percentile)

!Graduation rate below the Virginia average (57% vs 92%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg60%

Virginia avg78%

325^th of 331

Virginia public high schools ?

Bottom 2%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 9High Schools in the Richmond City Public Schools

118^th of 131Richmond City Public Schools among Virginia 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	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	13.5	325 of 331	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	6.4	326 of 328	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.7	327 of 329	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	3.0	326 of 326	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	6.9	321 of 325	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	0.4	326 of 327	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	0.7	325 of 327	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	6.4	320 of 326	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	11.4	316 of 324	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	14.9	310 of 321	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	30.2	265 of 322	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	35.5	239 of 322	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	14.1	310 of 321	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	31.1	262 of 321	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	35.3	237 of 320	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	53.9	136 of 317	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	27.1	275 of 313	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	6.8	313 of 316	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	26.0	282 of 313	9.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	26.4	280 of 314	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	22.0	290 of 308	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	12.8	240 of 242	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	4.5	244 of 245	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	6.4	247 of 249	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.9	239 of 240	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2024	4.6	251 of 253	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.4	248 of 249	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	35.6	98 of 135	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	10.6	97 of 101	4.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	10.0	121 of 122	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.5	97 of 97	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	11.8	317 of 322	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	5.8	320 of 321	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	2.6	320 of 322	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	3.6	320 of 320	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	17.3	233 of 242	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	9.4	234 of 236	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.7	233 of 233	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.1	232 of 232	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	13.6	316 of 321	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.9	320 of 324	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	5.9	317 of 320	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	14.5	314 of 325	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.1	319 of 322	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.3	320 of 322	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.1	321 of 321	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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)

English Language Learner (2026)27th percentile+26 vs school

Hispanic (2026)4th percentile~ school

Male (2026)3rd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)2nd percentile~ school

Female (2026)2nd percentile~ school

African American (2026)1st percentile~ school

Disabled (2024)1st percentile~ school

By subject vs Virginia (2025-2026) ?

Algebra I77%~ state avg

English Reading57%-29 vs state

Biology52%-25 vs state

Algebra II50%-38 vs state

VA and US History32%-6 vs state

Writing23%-52 vs state

2.0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

I worked here for 8 years one being the year we were out for Covid. That was my last year because the principal who was leaving at the end of the year decided to throw out all the teachers he disliked. I was one of those who had to resign because I was forced to because he chalked up all these false things that I was unable to defend. I almost sued the school system so I resigned instead.
Previous to that last year I was almost beat up twice I was punched in the face by a kid who didn't get in trouble because they said he had ADHD and didn't know better that it was wrong ( by 14 mind you). He ran by and hit me in the jaw and nothing was done. No consequences. They didn't care if teachers were physically and mentally abused. I saw students sexually assault other students and when reported they played the whole, " You want him to get a charge" he's a young man who doesn't know any better." Yes he did know better. This place was mess when I got there and it never got better. I am hindered but stronger because of working there. I hope that it gets better with a new school building and a new name. Close Quote

Schools Near Richmond High School for the Arts

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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)				SOL Writing (2026)				SOL Geometry (2026)						SOL Algebra I (2026)						SOL Algebra II (2026)					SOL Mathematics (2026)			SOL Chemistry (2026)				SOL Biology (2026)				SOL Science (2026)	SOL Earth Science (2026)					SOL English Reading (2026)							SOL Geography (2026)	SOL VA and US History (2026)				SOL World History I (2026)				SOL World History II (2026)				SOL Civics and Economics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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 (2025)	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	SOL Writing 9th Grade	SOL Writing 10th Grade	SOL Writing 11th Grade	SOL Writing 12th Grade	SOL Geometry 7th Grade	SOL Geometry 8th Grade	SOL Geometry 9th Grade	SOL Geometry 10th Grade	SOL Geometry 11th Grade	SOL Geometry 12th Grade	SOL Algebra I 7th Grade	SOL Algebra I 8th Grade	SOL Algebra I 9th Grade	SOL Algebra I 10th Grade	SOL Algebra I 11th Grade	SOL Algebra I 12th Grade	SOL Algebra II 8th Grade	SOL Algebra II 9th Grade	SOL Algebra II 10th Grade	SOL Algebra II 11th Grade	SOL Algebra II 12th Grade	SOL Mathematics 6th Grade	SOL Mathematics 7th Grade	SOL Mathematics 8th Grade	SOL Chemistry 9th Grade	SOL Chemistry 10th Grade	SOL Chemistry 11th Grade	SOL Chemistry 12th Grade	SOL Biology 9th Grade	SOL Biology 10th Grade	SOL Biology 11th Grade	SOL Biology 12th Grade	SOL Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 8th Grade	SOL Earth Science 9th Grade	SOL Earth Science 10th Grade	SOL Earth Science 11th Grade	SOL Earth Science 12th Grade	SOL English Reading 6th Grade	SOL English Reading 7th Grade	SOL English Reading 8th Grade	SOL English Reading 9th Grade	SOL English Reading 10th Grade	SOL English Reading 11th Grade	SOL English Reading 12th Grade	SOL Geography 9th Grade	SOL VA and US History 9th Grade	SOL VA and US History 10th Grade	SOL VA and US History 11th Grade	SOL VA and US History 12th Grade	SOL World History I 9th Grade	SOL World History I 10th Grade	SOL World History I 11th Grade	SOL World History I 12th Grade	SOL World History II 9th Grade	SOL World History II 10th Grade	SOL World History II 11th Grade	SOL World History II 12th Grade	SOL Civics and Economics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Richmond High School for the Arts	Public	9-12	4314 Crutchfield St	Richmond	23225	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-5037	1,116	117	9.5	94.4%	40 (3.6%)	434 (38.9%)	611 (54.7%)	18 (1.6%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (0.8%)	13.5	325^th of 331 public high schools	1.8%		6.4	326^th of 328 public high schools	0.6%	1	< 50%	19.6	22.2	55.6			415.0	< 50%	373.0				66.7	81.3	91.7	85.7		53.3	35.3	364.0	< 50%				< 50%	< 50%	353.0	< 50%	40.7	45.5	68.0	97.2											< 50%	54.6	75.9	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	31.7	≥ 50%	351.0	≥ 50%			448.0		≥ 50%		$9,953	$668	$9,285
Open High	Public	9-12	600 S Pine St	Richmond	23220	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 780-4661	171	19	9.1	101.2%	70 (40.9%)	62 (36.3%)	28 (16.4%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (5.3%)	85.1	5^th of 331 public high schools	98.5%		88.8	3^rd of 328 public high schools	99.1%	2		97.8					100.0	416.0	< 50%							≥ 50%		95.7	≥ 50%										97.6															100.0																$10,932	$14	$10,919
Huguenot High	Public	9-12	7945 Forest Hill Ave	Richmond	23225	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 320-7967	1,469	110	13.3	93.9%	81 (5.5%)	786 (53.5%)	564 (38.4%)	11 (0.7%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	23 (1.6%)	14.2	323^rd of 331 public high schools	2.4%		19.2	311^th of 328 public high schools	5.2%	12	285.0	43.9	41.0	395.0			400.0						71.1	80.0	95.8	100.0		56.5	385.0	< 50%									66.4	43.7	50.0	426.0				≥ 50%	≥ 50%						50.0	69.8	73.9	≥ 50%		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	406.0	446.0	≥ 50%	470.0		351.0	28.8	< 50%	≥ 50%		$9,662	$530	$9,132
Richmond Success Academy	Public	6-12	119 West Leigh Street	Richmond	23220	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-4388	277	33	8.3		2 (0.7%)	187 (67.5%)	79 (28.5%)	5 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	1.4	330^th of 331 public high schools	0.3%		0.3	327^th of 328 public high schools	0.3%	3	318.0	307.0	< 50%	< 50%			< 50%						50.0	245.0	≥ 50%	< 50%			< 50%			322.0	322.0	335.0					317.0	346.0	≥ 50%	< 50%	342.0		372.0	294.0		≥ 50%	325.0	327.0	319.0	< 50%	376.0	376.0	388.0		< 50%	< 50%	< 50%	< 50%	26.1	< 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%		< 50%		345.0
Thomas Jefferson High	Public	9-12	4100 W Grace St	Richmond	23230	Henrico County	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-6028	749	63	11.8	78.2%	173 (23.1%)	477 (63.7%)	61 (8.1%)	11 (1.5%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (2.8%)	31.1	274^th of 331 public high schools	17.2%		27.3	294^th of 328 public high schools	10.4%	20	404.0	56.0	48.2	44.8			82.1						67.5	417.0	423.0	434.0		77.6	≥ 50%	≥ 50%									71.5	70.7	76.2	403.0											361.0	84.4	72.7	≥ 50%		100.0	433.0		92.9			< 50%	58.3	411.0	< 50%	≥ 50%		$14,341	$1,101	$13,241
Franklin Military Academy	Public	6-12	701 North 37th Street	Richmond	23223	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-8526	335	53	6.3	99.7%	65 (19.4%)	164 (49.0%)	89 (26.6%)	4 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.9%)	67.7	102^nd of 331 public high schools	69.2%		69.6	91^st of 328 public high schools	72.3%	11		90.2	< 50%		≥ 50%	100.0	≥ 50%				100.0	100.0	≥ 50%				100.0	87.2				97.8							89.7	≥ 50%	≥ 50%			85.3					100.0	95.9	91.8		≥ 50%	92.9					≥ 50%		100.0	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%		388.0			98.4	$16,527	$609	$15,918
Yvonne B. Miller High School	Public	6-12	1900 Chatsworth Ave	North Chesterfield	23535	Richmond city	Department of Juvenile Justice	No	No	No	No	(804) 371-0700																			(n/a)
Richmond Community High	Public	9-12	201 E Brookland Park Boulevard	Richmond	23222	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 780-4332	211	26	8.1	99.5%	52 (24.6%)	118 (55.9%)	26 (12.3%)	3 (1.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.2%)	77.4	39^th of 331 public high schools	88.2%		81.1	19^th of 328 public high schools	94.2%	20		98.5					65.9									≥ 50%		100.0	≥ 50%										100.0	≥ 50%														100.0					≥ 50%		100.0				≥ 50%	≥ 50%				$14,578	$655	$13,923
Meadowbrook High	Public	9-12	4901 Cogbill Rd.	North Chesterfield	23234	Chesterfield County	Chesterfield County Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(804) 743-3675	1,953	148	13.1	73.7%	113 (5.8%)	744 (38.1%)	1,019 (52.2%)	29 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	45 (2.3%)	25.7	302^nd of 331 public high schools	8.8%		18.8	312^th of 328 public high schools	4.9%	10	304.0	40.7	36.8	51.6			41.4	32.7	20.7	385.0			49.2	65.5	90.9	97.2		452.0	386.0	45.8									76.0	54.1	85.5	90.2			396.0	< 50%		≥ 50%					34.8	75.9	69.5	42.3		7.7	26.1	63.6	57.9	66.7	93.0	92.5	420.0	35.6	394.0			$8,180	$266	$7,914
Armstrong High	Public	9-12	2300 Cool Lane	Richmond	23223	Richmond city	Richmond City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(804) 780-4449	709	82	8.6	92.5%	28 (3.9%)	606 (85.5%)	49 (6.9%)	5 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.7%)	15	322^nd of 331 public high schools	2.7%		15.1	318^th of 328 public high schools	3.0%	4	< 50%	25.9	40.5	36.4			406.0						67.7	79.3	90.9	432.0		79.3	432.0	≥ 50%	419.0								90.0	47.7	65.5	60.0											366.0	68.1	77.4	421.0		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	< 50%	425.0		≥ 50%	≥ 50%	≥ 50%	458.0		≥ 50%		$15,203	$1,096	$14,106

Frequently Asked Questions about Richmond High School for the Arts

What is the racial makeup of Richmond High School for the Arts?

Students at Richmond High School for the Arts are 55% Hispanic, 39% African American, 4% White, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Richmond High School for the Arts?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,116 students attended Richmond High School for the Arts.

What district is Richmond High School for the Arts in?

Richmond City Public Schools

What schools feed into Richmond High School for the Arts?

Richmond High School for the Arts is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Broad Rock Elementary
Elementary : Cardinal Elementary
Elementary : Oak Grove/Bellemeade Elementary
Elementary : Swansboro Elementary
Middle : Thomas C. Boushall Middle

Is Richmond High School for the Arts a good school?

Richmond High School for the Arts ranks in the bottom 1.8% of Virginia high schools.

Rate Richmond High School for the Arts!

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Latest Virginia data All new data »

2025–26 SOL test scoresAug 25, 2026

2021–22 school spending dataFeb 16, 2026

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataFeb 10, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 6, 2026

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