08/20/2026
Richmond Community Schools Celebrates Significant Growth in IREAD-3 Scores
For the third year in a row, Richmond Community Schools is celebrating outstanding growth in its 2026 Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD-3) results.
Districtwide reading proficiency increased from 70% in 2024 to 80.2% in 2025 to 86.4% in 2026, an improvement of 6.2 percentage points from last year. Of the district’s 338 third-grade students, 292 demonstrated reading proficiency this year.
Every RCS elementary school maintained or improved its proficiency rate, with Crestdale Elementary School, Starr Elementary School and Vaile Elementary School achieving especially significant gains.
“From the very beginning, I encouraged our school community to commit to those things that are bigger than ourselves, and those things are our students," said RCS Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright. "The positive trend data we have experienced is a reflection of such commitment, and speaks to the intentional sacrifices so many have made to guarantee that our learning environments remain student centered. While there has been much criticism over the years, one thing that cannot be argued, is the fact that Richmond Community Schools faculty, staff, students, parents, guardians, and stakeholders, are GETTING THE JOB DONE! While we humbly recognize that we still have room for improvement, we will also celebrate the fact that we are on the right track."
“The continued growth in our IREAD-3 results reflects the intentional work happening every day across our elementary schools. Teachers have remained focused on strong literacy instruction while using student data to identify needs and respond with additional support when necessary. Interventionists, instructional coaches, paraprofessionals, special education staff, EL teachers, and building administrators have worked alongside classroom teachers to support students at every level. This has truly been a team effort, with everyone maintaining a shared focus on helping our students grow as readers,” said RCS Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Elizabeth Markward
“We are incredibly proud of our students and the progress they have made, but we also recognize that this work begins long before third grade. From our earliest grades, staff members are building foundational reading skills, monitoring progress, providing intervention, and celebrating growth along the way. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen literacy instruction across all elementary grade levels, respond to student needs early, and build upon the practices that are making a difference for our students,” Markward added.
“Through quality classroom instruction, systemic alignment, and social/emotional supports, RCS continues to provide the best holistic schooling options within Wayne County. Even more, when compared to our North Central Conference counterparts throughout the state of Indiana, RCS ranked second in our conference in IREAD-3 results. We are dedicated to ensuring that student achievement and positive student outcomes are at the forefront of all that we do. For “We R Richmond,” said Dr. Wright.
https://4.files.edl.io/cd5a/08/20/26/204407-719dc384-6618-486c-95d6-58e24c41e90b.pdf
Charles Elementary School, Fairview Elementary School, Westview Elementary School
