‘RPS is on the rise’: Richmond superintendent highlights progress, challenges at 2025 State of the Schools

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras shared the district's academic achievements and vision for the future during the 2025 State of the Schools event on Thursday, Oct. 30.

This year’s address marked the school division’s first since the pandemic. Kamras shared data that shows academic growth across core subjects on the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments.

“Over the last two years, reading is up six points, math is up five points, science is up 12 points and history is up seven points.” he said.

Kamras also highlighted significant reading improvements for RPS’s most economically disadvantaged students. Data shows that over the last two years, their reading scores climbed 10 points compared to their peers across the state, who improved by two points. This rapid improvement was also reflected in multilingual learners who outperformed their counterparts in surrounding counties and across the state.

“I hope and believe that you will get used to hearing RPS leading the way,” Kamras said.

RPS's graduating class of 2025 also achieved a record 80.1% graduation rate, the highest in eight years. RPS said the milestone was driven by record-high graduation rates for Black students, economically disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities.

Still, Kamras acknowledged that only half of RPS graduates have a plan for higher education. It's one of several items the district hopes to address in its strategic three-part plan. This includes the ongoing construction of the Richmond High School for the Arts, a new Career Technical Education (CTE) Center, and new programs that'll introduce students to various careers.

”The goal is to provide our students with lots of options, no matter their zip code,” Kamras said. “This isn’t about pushing kids to college or work, it’s about giving them and their families options.”

Another phase of the plan focuses on efforts to ensure that students are proficient and joyful readers by third grade. To promote a love of reading, the district has invested in literacy coaches, reading interventionists and community initiatives like the Lit Limo and book vending machines.

The third phase is to get and retain more educators. According to Kamras, RPS has increased average teacher pay by almost $25,000. The district also launched collective bargaining to give teachers stronger input on wages and working conditions.

"We have a lot more to do to ensure that every single opening is filled with an expert and joyful teacher," Kamras said.

He also emphasized that the district will continue to invest in teachers and explore ways to make living in Richmond more affordable for educators.