Joseph Woods

March 5, 2024

Schools in Richmond VA | Best Richmond Elementary Schools, High Schools + Private Schools

Last Updated On: 15th January 2026, 11:00 pm

If you are thinking about moving to Richmond with children, then you are likely on the hunt for the city's top-rated schools. Luckily, Richmond VA is home to several incredible high schools, elementary schools, charter schools, private schools, and more. No matter how old your child is, you will find incredible learning opportunities in the Richmond area. In order to find the best Richmond Virginia schools, you'll need to do your research. When searching for schools in Richmond VA, you will want to consider the following criteria:

Student improvement
Test scores
Classroom size
College readiness measures
AP participation rate
Programs for gifted students
Extracurricular activities
Awards
Noteworthy programs such as athletics, art, music, or STEM

There are several school districts in the Richmond VA area; however, Richmond City Public Schools serve the majority of students living in the city. This public school district serves over 24,000 kids across 25 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools. In addition to these Richmond public schools, there are also several private, charter, and magnet schools in Richmond VA. All of these Richmond VA schools are a great place for students to get an education, but which ones are the best? Here's our guide to the best schools in Richmond VA.

Best High Schools in Richmond

Are you on the hunt for the best high schools in Richmond Virginia? There is no shortage of wonderful high schools located in the Richmond area. Whether you are looking for a regular public school, a disciplined charter school, or a specialized magnet school, Richmond has it all. These are just a few of the best high schools in Richmond VA.

Open High School - Nationally Recognized Richmond High School

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District: Richmond City Public Schools
Type: Public
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 188
Teacher to student ratio: 13:1
Address: 600 S Pine St, Richmond, VA 23220
School Report Card

Ranked by U.S. News as the #1 school in the Richmond Metro Area, the #2 school in all of Virginia, and #170 in the country, Open High School is one of the best Richmond VA high schools. This Richmond VA high school offers kids a personalized education, with an enrollment of under 200. Additionally, the small class sizes at this Richmond City school give teachers the chance to provide each student with individualized attention. Open High School offers a unique experience for students, as kids are split into advisory homeroom-like groups known as "families," which are multi-generational peer groups that provide students with guidance throughout their time in school. Although this school is a part of the Richmond Public Schools system, students are required to apply to attend.

Richmond Community High School - One of the Only High Schools in Richmond VA With a 100% Graduation Rate

District: Richmond City Public Schools
Type: Public
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 211
Teacher to student ratio: 12:1
Address: 201 E Brookland Park Blvd, Richmond, VA 23222
School Report Card

Richmond Community High School is not only one of the best high schools in Richmond VA, but it was also the first full-time, four-year public high school in America. This top-rated high school is one of the best public schools in Richmond, and has a graduation rate of an impressive 100%. Richmond Community High School is dedicated to providing economically disadvantaged students with educational opportunities, and 60% to 75% of the admission spaces for incoming freshmen are designated for students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Godwin High School - One of the Best Richmond High Schools for Students Interested in STEM

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Table of Contents
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Best High Schools in Richmond
Open High School - Nationally Recognized Richmond High School
Richmond Community High School - One of the Only High Schools in Richmond VA With a 100% Graduation Rate
Godwin High School - One of the Best Richmond High Schools for Students Interested in STEM
Best Elementary Schools in Richmond
Barack Obama Elementary School - One of the Most Diverse Richmond Elementary Schools
Pearson’s Corner Elementary School - One of the Best Elementary Schools in Richmond
Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts - Virginia’s First Charter Elementary School
Best Private Schools in Richmond
St. Christopher’s School - One of the Best All-Boys Private Schools in Richmond VA
The Steward School - Richmond Private School With Several Athletic Opportunities
St. Catherine’s School - The Only All-Girls School in Virginia
Richmond Schools FAQ
How Many School Districts Are in Richmond?
What Is the Best School District in Richmond?
What Is the Best High School in Richmond?
Does Richmond Have Good Schools?
How Many Public Schools Are There in Richmond?

District: Henrico County Public Schools
Type: Public
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 1,856
Teacher to student ratio: 19:1
Address: 2101 Pump Rd, Richmond, VA 23238
School Report Card

Located in Henrico County, Godwin High School is one of the best public schools in Richmond VA. Godwin High School is known for its Science, Mathematics, and Technology Specialty Center, which opened in 1994. The Specialty Center provides students with the opportunity to pursue science and math courses and offers exclusive classes and electives for them to take. To gain acceptance into this program, students must complete a rigorous application process. Typically, only 50 students out of around 500 get accepted. In addition to this program, the school offers students even more academic and extracurricular activity options such as debate, robotics, and Model United Nations.

Best Elementary Schools in Richmond

When it comes to the best elementary schools in Richmond VA, there are several options to choose from. There are several things to consider when searching for a Richmond elementary school, such as the size of the student body, grades served, and extra learning opportunities for your child. These are the best elementary schools in Richmond Virginia.

Barack Obama Elementary School - One of the Most Diverse Richmond Elementary Schools

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District: Richmond City Public Schools
Type: Public
Grades: PK-5
Enrollment: 276
Address: 3101 Fendall Ave, Richmond, VA 23222
School Report Card

When it comes to public schools in Richmond VA, you can't skip out on Barack Obama Elementary School. This top-rated school caters mostly to economically disadvantaged students, with 99% of the student body facing some sort of economic hardship. With the motto of "BOES- Building Opportunities for Every Student," Barack Obama Elementary School is dedicated to providing every child with a solid educational foundation.

Pearson’s Corner Elementary School - One of the Best Elementary Schools in Richmond

District: Hanover County Public Schools
Type: Public
Grades: PK-5
Enrollment: 582
Address: 8290 New Ashcake Rd, Mechanicsville, VA 23116
School Report Card

Pearson's Corner Elementary School is a part of the Hanover County Public Schools system and is one of the best elementary schools in Richmond VA. At Pearson's Corner Elementary, 85% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 88% scored at or above that level for reading. This Richmond VA elementary school offers several different programs to help kids succeed, such as special education, reading intervention, and gifted education.

Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts - Virginia’s First Charter Elementary School

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District: Richmond City Public Schools
Type: Charter
Grades: K-5
Enrollment: 316
Address: 3411 Semmes Ave, Richmond, VA 23225
School Report Card

Are you on the hunt for Charter schools in Richmond VA? Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts is not only one of the best charter schools in Richmond Virginia, but it was also the first of its kind in the state. Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts is one of the only Richmond Charter Schools in the Richmond City Public Schools system, and kids attending this school can enjoy hands-on environmental learning and integrated classroom academics. The school places emphasis on environmental science, with frequent trips to the neighboring Forest Hill and James River Parks.

Best Private Schools in Richmond

If public schools aren't right for your child, then you may want to consider Richmond private schools. Private schools often come with benefits such as a smaller student body, teachers with a specialized education, and advanced learning opportunities. However, private school is typically not free. Most of the private schools in Richmond VA come with steep tuition rates that you must pay each year, which is an important consideration when choosing an educational institution for your child. Luckily, many of the private schools in Richmond offer wonderful financial aid programs, making these schools more accessible. These are a few of the best Richmond VA private schools.

St. Christopher’s School - One of the Best All-Boys Private Schools in Richmond VA

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Grades: PK-12
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
Address: 711 St Christopher's Rd, Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: 804-282-3185
Enrollment: 938
Tuition: $21,650-$33,725

St. Christopher's School is one of the best Richmond private schools around. This all-boys private preparatory school has an enrollment of just under 1,000, providing kids with a personalized learning experience. St. Christopher's prepares students for life after high school through its College Counseling program, and 100% of the school's graduating students attend a four–year college. Some notable alumni from this school include actor Penn Badgley, politician Henry Hager, and CEO Ted Price.

The Steward School - Richmond Private School With Several Athletic Opportunities

Grades: JK-12
Religious Affiliation: None
Address: 11600 Gayton Rd, Richmond, VA 23238
Phone: 804-740-3394
Enrollment: 715
Tuition: $19,275-$31,280

The Steward School is a private school in Richmond featuring a college-preparatory curriculum, small class sizes, in-school tutoring programs, and fine arts programs. The Steward School is one of the best private schools in Richmond VA for students who are interested in athletics. Students have the opportunity to participate in soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, cross country, golf, field hockey, swim and dive, and cheerleading. Over the past 10 years, the school has won 12 state championships.

St. Catherine’s School - The Only All-Girls School in Virginia

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Grades: Early Learners (age 3) - 12
Religious Affiliation: Episcopal
Address: 6001 Grove Ave, Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: 804-288-2804
Enrollment: 978
Tuition: $19,600-$33,400

St. Catherine's School is the sister school to St. Christopher's and is one of the best schools in Richmond Virginia. This all-girls Richmond VA school is the only independent all-girls school in Virginia for age 3 to grade 12. St. Catherine's School is one of the best schools in Richmond VA for academics, with AP and honors classes and independent research opportunities. The school also offers internship programs for upper school students, allowing students to get real-world work experience before graduating from high school.

Richmond Schools FAQ

How Many School Districts Are in Richmond?

The Greater Richmond Region has 16 school districts.

What Is the Best School District in Richmond?

Richmond City Public Schools is the most popular school district in Richmond, encompassing most of the kids served in the area.

What Is the Best High School in Richmond?

Depending on what you are looking for in a Richmond high school, the answer to this question will differ. If you are looking for strong math and science opportunities, then Godwin High School may be a good fit. If you prefer a religious educational institution, then you might want to check out St. Christopher's or St. Catherine's schools.

Does Richmond Have Good Schools?

Richmond VA has excellent schools, highly educated teachers, and wonderful learning opportunities.

How Many Public Schools Are There in Richmond?

Richmond City Public Schools contains 45 schools. In addition to this main Richmond City school district, you'll find several other schools in the Richmond area. Now that you know all of the best schools in Richmond VA, it's time to choose the perfect educational institution for your child. There are dozens of wonderful schools located in Richmond VA, and there is truly something for everyone. Before your child starts school, let On The Fly Moving Guys help you get settled into your new home in the area. Our Richmond movers are ready to make your relocation smooth, simple, and stress-free. Give us a call today at 804-836-4954 to get started with a free quote.