- Enrollment
- 2,360
- Students per teacher
- 14.2:1
- Resource Index
- 39/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Columbus, IN
W D Richards Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for W D Richards Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 42/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 180036000082
👥 S:T ratio 21
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 76
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
W D Richards Elementary School earns 42/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 90% of Indiana schools.
- #5 of 10
- schools in Columbus · Resource Index
- 42
- Resource Index · Typical
- 19.7:1
- large classes for Indiana
- 34.6%
- free-lunch eligible
W D Richards Elementary School has class sizes larger than 90% of Indiana schools. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, W D Richards Elementary School ranks #5 of 10 schools in Columbus, IN.
School address
District: Bartholomew Con School Corp · Indiana
NCES ID 180036000082 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+24 students YoY
W D Richards Elementary School held near 608 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+24 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 31.5 → 30.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+24 students YoY 180036000082 · Columbus, IN Other · MID · TRAD
610 enr · 19.7:1 · 34.6% lunch · RII 42
Nearest enrollment peer: Columbus North High School (2,360 students)
W D Richards Elementary School held near 608 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+24 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 31.5 → 30.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
W D Richards Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Columbus North
Columbus North High School
2,360 students
- Columbus East
Columbus East High School
1,452 students
- Northside Midd 908
Northside Middle School
908 students
- Southside Elem 891
Southside Elementary School
891 students
- Central Middle 790
Central Middle School
790 students
- This school 610
W D Richards Elementary School
610 students
What this shows W D Richards Elementary School reports 610 students on the CCD universe file.
How W D Richards Elementary School compares
W D Richards Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 19.7:1 | ▲ 24% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 34.6% | ▼ 30% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 610 | top 27% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
19.7:1
Leaner classes than 17% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
610
Bigger than 74% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
34.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 30% below the Indiana average of 49.5%
Below the 40% Title I threshold; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
19.7:1
students per teacher
- 24% above state mean
Top 90% in Indiana - lower ratio than 10% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
9.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 5-10% range, close to the pre-pandemic national baseline.
Funding equity
$13,277
per pupil, district-wide
- above Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 610 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
5
in-school suspensions + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.8 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 62.3%
Hispanic or Latino 22.8%
Two or More 5.7%
Asian 5.4%
African American 3.8%
Largest group: White at 62.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 55.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 55.2, W D Richards Elementary School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Bartholomew Con School Corp reports $13,277 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How W D Richards Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus North High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Columbus East High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Northside Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Southside Elementary School | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Central Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to W D Richards Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,452
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 908
- Students per teacher
- 15.9:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
- Enrollment
- 891
- Students per teacher
- 18.6:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
- Enrollment
- 790
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 44/100
Similar other schools in Columbus
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Southside Elementary School
Standard public school
891 students 18.6:1 students per teacher
Parkside Elementary School
Standard public school
733 students 16.7:1 students per teacher
Clifty Creek Elementary School
Standard public school
705 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Lillian Schmitt Elementary School
Standard public school
704 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
L F Smith Elementary
Standard public school
420 students 13.5:1 students per teacher
Mount Healthy Elementary School
Standard public school
365 students 14.6:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~610 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~19.7:1)
Frequently asked questions about W D Richards Elementary School
How many students attend W D Richards Elementary School?
W D Richards Elementary School has 610 students enrolled. It is a public school in Columbus, IN. CCD year-over-year: 584 (2022-23) → 608 (2023-24), nearly flat (+24).
What is the student-teacher ratio at W D Richards Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at W D Richards Elementary School is 19.7:1, which is 24% higher than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 25% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at W D Richards Elementary School?
34.6% of students at W D Richards Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of W D Richards Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at W D Richards Elementary School is White at 62.3% of enrollment, in Columbus, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 55.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for W D Richards Elementary School?
W D Richards Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 42/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does W D Richards Elementary School rank among schools in Columbus?
By Resource Investment Index, W D Richards Elementary School ranks #5 of 10 schools in Columbus, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Columbus on the city page.
What other schools are in Bartholomew Con School Corp?
Besides W D Richards Elementary School, Bartholomew Con School Corp also operates Columbus North High School (2,360 students), Columbus East High School (1,452 students), and Northside Middle School (908 students). See the Bartholomew Con School Corp district page for the complete list.