The top reported proficiency rate is 19% in English language arts. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Richmond Elementary School
Richmond Elementary School is a regular public school in Salem, Oregon, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. It is part of the Salem‑Keizer School District, Oregon’s second‑largest district, which covers the city and surrounding areas. Richmond sits in a residential neighborhood of Salem’s east side, within a city that blends state government offices, a historic downtown, and agricultural processing industries.
The school enrolls a mid‑sized student body for an elementary school. A majority of students are Hispanic, with a substantial share of white students and smaller numbers of students who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Black or African American, two or more races, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian. A significant portion of students come from households with low incomes, as reflected in the free‑ and reduced‑price lunch participation rate. Data on English learner status and students with disabilities were not available in the records reviewed.
State assessment results for the most recent testing year show that overall proficiency across math, English language arts, and science is low. When compared with other schools in districts across Marion County, Richmond’s combined proficiency index places it in the bottom quartile. In math, proficiency rates varied by grade level but were consistently below typical benchmarks; in reading, the pattern was similar, with the fifth‑grade reading result notably higher than the lower grades. Science proficiency was also low. Because this is the first year of data available for the current assessment, there is no multi‑year trend to examine, so it is not possible to say whether these results represent a change or a stable pattern. A parent may want to discuss the school’s instructional approach and any intervention programs directly with the staff.
Richmond does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report, and discipline and attendance data were not provided.
The Salem‑Keizer district has been undergoing financial and operational changes that affect all its schools. In recent years, voters approved a construction bond that funds safety upgrades and classroom improvements across the district, though it also raised property taxes. The district has also closed multiple elementary schools—one in 2023 and three more in 2024—to address budget shortfalls, which has shifted attendance boundaries and commute patterns for some families. A new three‑year strategic plan adopted in 2025 focuses on academic excellence, belonging, and workforce readiness, and will guide district priorities through 2028. These district‑level decisions shape the context in which Richmond operates.
Housing in Salem is more affordable than the Oregon average, which may be a factor for families considering the area. The city is car‑dependent outside the downtown core, and public transit is available through the Cherriots bus system. State employment and food‑processing industries anchor the local economy.
Richmond Elementary is a neighborhood school serving a diverse, economically diverse population. Its academic results, based on the single year of data available, are well below typical performance levels in the county. Families considering this school will want to investigate what supports are in place for students who are behind grade level, and how the district’s recent budget‑driven changes may affect enrollment and staffing at this particular building.
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