This year's Virginia Standards of Learning test results show continued growth among students in Richmond and the surrounding counties, but also a continued push to get back to pre-pandemic levels of success.

To see scores for each RPS school individually, tap here. Below, our takeaways from the broader data.

Overall growth in passing scores, but students are still below pre-pandemic rates

Richmond Public Schools pass rates increased by about 3% in the 2024-2025 school year across tested subjects. The division's highest pass rate is in reading, where scores rose from 50% to nearly 53%. 

RPS’ reading and social studies pass scores have risen at a faster pace than the state since the 2022-2023 school year – about a 6% increase compared to the state’s 1%. 

However, Richmond continues to trail behind the state overall. For example, 72% of the state’s students were proficient in math during the 2024-2025 school year, while 49% of Richmond students were proficient.

Both the division and state have not returned to pre-pandemic rates.

Despite improvement, Richmond Public Schools continue to trail neighboring counties

Like the state, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover public schools are ahead of RPS in overall pass rates.

However, for the first time in recent history, Richmond is slightly above Henrico in a single subject, as 44% of Henrico students passed the social studies exam whereas 46% of Richmond students passed. 

In writing, Henrico posted strong overall scores, while Hanover took a dip this past school year, dropping from 89% in 2023-2024 to 71% this past school year. That’s 8% lower than pre-pandemic scores.

Among English learners, Richmond students do better than the surrounding counties, state

English learners in the city, who are predominantly Hispanic, are more proficient in reading than neighboring counties and the state. Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties each have 27% of their English-learner students meeting proficiency in reading compared to Richmond’s 33%, which is one point better than the state average.

Richmond English-learner students are also more proficient in math than their peers in Chesterfield and Henrico counties, where 39% of the students scored proficient, compared to 43% of Richmond’s students. 

Part of the reason for the increase may be due to Richmond’s growing dual-language program provided to students at schools like G.H. Reid and Broad Rock elementary. 

Increased pass rates among different demographics

Nearly every demographic of Richmond students increased its SOL success rates in reading, math, history and science, including economically disadvantaged students.

Looking ahead

The Virginia Board of Education recently voted unanimously to raise minimum pass scores for math and reading exams. Officials said the decision sets a higher standard for public school students across the state, raising the proficiency scores to 444 and 443 for third grade reading and math, respectively. That’s up from the previous proficiency score of 400 out of 600. 

“This is arguably the most critical vote that this board will take because it reaffirms the Commonwealth of Virginia's commitment to our students and their future,” said Superintendent of Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson.

But Richmond School Board members and the division's superintendent have expressed concern about the changes since before they were voted on.

“I want to be clear, I 100% support a high bar for our students, but I also want the Board just to understand … SOLs are going to go down in Richmond and across the entire commonwealth,” said Superintendent Jason Kamras during an April School Board meeting. He said kids could be performing better, but it won’t be reflected in pass rate results because of the new cut scores. 

At the same meeting, board members, including Stephanie Rizzi (5th District), Shonda Harris-Muhammed (6th District), and Cheryl Burke (7th District) called for more financial support and resources to better equip teachers' needs. 

Katie Ricard (2nd District) also raised the issue during a joint meeting between state legislators and the School Board. She said the new cut scores will be “a huge leap for our students.” 

“I have watched my own students struggle to get to 400, and I have seen seniors have to wait till summer graduation for that,” she said. “That is heartbreaking. And so with [higher pass scores],  we’re going to need more.”

Contact Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin at vifatusin@richmonder.org