Richlands Elementary

Richlands Elementary operates as an average-sized elementary school in Richlands, North Carolina, run under Onslow County Schools. Current enrollment sits at 591 students spanning grades K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 467 students per school, that is 27% larger than typical.

Onslow County Schools comprises 39 schools with combined enrollment of 27,397 students; Richlands Elementary is among them.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Richlands Elementary lists that the largest single group is White, at 64% of enrollment. Beyond that, the school lists 18% Hispanic, 9% Black, 9% multiracial. Compared to Onslow County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

On the resource side, Staff filings list 41 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.4:1 students per teacher. That tracks the state average closely. An estimated 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy.

With demographic context factored in, Richlands Elementary tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 63.7% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 55.8%.

Around the school, Onslow County reports that the typical household earns roughly $68,148 per year, roughly 26% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 9% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Richlands Elementary is one of 42 public schools in Onslow County (combined enrollment of about 27,501 students).

Nearest neighbor: Trexler Middle, around 1.4 miles off. 4 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius. Among the 9 schools in that immediate cluster with test data (this one included), Richlands Elementary ranks 4th on composite proficiency, above the local average of 54.9%.

The campus sits in a countryside setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count edged down 31%: 859 students in 2018 compared to 591 in 2025. Class-load math has pulled in: from 18.7:1 in 2018 to 14.4:1 in 2025.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around sports schedules, lunch menu changes, and school spirit week. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.