Richards Middle School has been recognized nationally for its overall increase in student achievement while reducing the achievement gap among groups of students.

The New York based Standards and Poor's School Evaluation Service recognized only four middle schools in the State of Georgia for this achievement.

According to the report, "Schools with achievement gap reductions that meet this study’s criteria are rare. However, there are clearly a number of schools whose accomplishments stand out as both difficult and desirable to achieve. These schools are recognized here in the hopes that they may serve as benchmarks and sources of promising practices for educators elsewhere in the state who are trying to close achievement gaps while improving the achievement for all students.”

Principal Judy Stephens said, "It is quite an honor to have a nationally known exterior source confirm what we have known all along - that Richards Middle School is about accelerating academic achievement for all students."