The top reported proficiency rate is 40% in Math. The lowest is 30% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on W D Richards Elementary School
W D Richards Elementary School is a regular public school in Columbus, Indiana, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. It is part of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, the county’s largest district. The school sits on the north side of Columbus, in a residential area near Fairlawn Drive.
The school enrolls a mid-sized student body for an elementary school—large enough to offer grade-level peer groups across its full PK-6 span. More than four in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, giving the school a moderate-to-high level of economic need. The student population is majority white, with a notable Hispanic share that runs well above a fifth of enrollment; Asian and Black representation is smaller, and a modest share of students identify as two or more races. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the profile, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about how it supports those populations.
Academically, state assessment results from the ILEARN show that roughly two in five students scored proficient or above in math and English language arts, with similar results in science. In social studies—tested only at fifth grade—the proficiency rate was lower, closer to three in ten. These figures place the school’s overall proficiency index above the midpoint when compared with other districts in Bartholomew County, but the county comparison set is small (three districts), so the local benchmark is narrow. The school’s performance profile is solidly mid-range within that context, not high but not at the bottom. Because the school does not serve grades where high school graduation is measured, no graduation rate is reported.
The community around the school shapes its context. Columbus is a mid-sized city with a strong industrial and manufacturing economy, anchored by the global headquarters of Cummins and the North American headquarters of Toyota Material Handling. The city is known for its modern architecture and public art—over sixty notable buildings by famous architects—which gives the community a distinctive civic identity. The downtown core is walkable and includes parks, a community center, and a library designed by I. M. Pei. The housing market in the school’s ZIP code carries home values and rents that sit somewhat above the Indiana state benchmark but remain lower than national medians, reflecting a moderately affordable market for families.
The district itself has been investing in facilities and early learning. In 2023, voters approved a bond referendum that funds construction of a new elementary school, major renovations at Columbus East High School, and security upgrades district-wide. That work is ongoing and will affect school capacity and property taxes for families. In 2024, the district expanded full-day preschool to several elementary schools, though W D Richards was not among the ones mentioned in public reporting; a parent with a pre-kindergarten child should check directly with the school about current options.
The school’s academic outcomes are adequate relative to its small local peer group, though the proficiency rates suggest that a majority of students do not yet meet state benchmarks. A parent may want to explore what interventions or enrichment are in place, particularly in math and reading. The school does not appear to offer specialized magnet or charter programs; it operates as a neighborhood elementary school. For families weighing this school, the district’s facility improvements and the broader community’s economic stability—driven by major employers—are factors that may add to the school’s long-term stability.
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