James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a part of Leon County Schools. The first graduating class was in 1966 and the first class president was Hugh Paul Corley, Jr. The first Miss Rickards to be crowned was Betty Screws in 1966.
Serving 1,718 students in grades 9-12, James Rickards High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 30% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 36% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 26:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 92% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Florida state average of 66% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,718 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
- Minority Enrollment: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 82% (Btm 50% in FL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 30% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 36% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 60-64% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Overview
James Rickards High School's student population of 1,718 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 66 teachers has grown by 6% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,718 students
Total Classroom Teachers
66 teachers
Year Founded
1960
Colors
Blue, Gold
School Calendar
School Rankings
James Rickards High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of James Rickards High School is 0.48, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#3131 out of 3662 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
52%
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
7%
3%
Hispanic
10%
38%
Black
71%
21%
White
8%
34%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
48%
42%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
4%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- James S. Rickards High School is a public high school in Tallahassee, Florida. For the 2004-2005 school year, the Florida Department of Education gave the school a D rating after its students scored poorly on standardized tests in reading and math. However, it was ranked 115th in Newsweek's list of 1,000 top high schools, due to the huge number of AP and IB exams taken by some of its students.
- Rickards has hosted an International Baccalaureate program since 1994, creating a culturally diverse mix of students and a varied ethnic focus. The school has many programs that demonstrate cultural diversity and equality, one of which focuses on traditional dance and clothes.
- The school's mascot, originally the Rickards Redskins, was changed to the Rickards Raiders in 2000 because of controversy over the term redskin and its racial connotations. The school colors are blue and gold.
- Rickards is notable for its award-winning Mu Alpha Theta and National Junior Classical League teams, as well as its marching band, which is heavily influenced by the FAMU "Marching 100".
- Vision: "To provide students with a caring, supportive learning environment that allows them to reach their maximum potential through quality programs, instruction and experiences."
- Mission statement: "To produce graduates with skills and competencies to succeed on local, state, national, and international levels and who are responsible, self-supporting, and productive members of our society."
- Marching Band: James S. Rickards High currently has an exceptional marching band, known for their unique high-stepping style.
- Other: James S. Rickards High also has a noteworthy symphonic band and jazz band.
- Achievements in Mathematics: The James S. Rickards Math Team is ranked among the top in the nation in Mu Alpha Theta.
- Recent Results: 2006 Florida State Convention: 3rd Place.
- 2006 National Convention: 3rd Place.
- 2005 Florida State Convention: 3rd Place.
- 2005 National Convention: 4th Place.
- The members of the Rickards Math Team have also endeavored in other national mathematical competitions such as the American Mathematics Competition (AMC - State and Regional Champions 2003-2006), the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME), the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO), the Princeton University Math Competition, the Harvard-MIT Math Tournament (HMMT), and the American Regions Math League (ARML). Two distinguished members have also served as the captains for the state ARML Team and HMMT Team.
- In 2005, 4 students from Rickards advanced to the USAMO, and one (Keenan Pepper) received an Honorable Mention with a score of 28 on the USAMO. He was allowed to take the TST (Team Selection Test) when he attended the Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, as did Rickards alumnus Shaanan Shetty in 2002.
- In 2006, 3 Rickards students advanced to the USAMO. At both the 2006 State and National Mu Alpha Theta convention, Rickards placed third, its highest national placing to date.
- Other Clubs: Rickards has a multitude of clubs and after school activities, though the Math club is the largest. Some other clubs include: Junior Classical League; Brain Bowl; Physics Club; Junior Engineering Technical Society; National Honors Society; Student Government Association; Future Business Leaders of America; Model U.N.; Florida's Future Educators of America; Spanish Club; French Club; Chess Club; Gospel Choir; ROTC; 20th Century: before and after school programs; Black History Brain Bowl; Reading Raiders Book Club.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is James Rickards High School's ranking?
James Rickards High School is ranked #3131 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are James Rickards High School often compared to?
James Rickards High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Leon High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
30% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 36% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of James Rickards High School?
The graduation rate of James Rickards High School is 82%, which is lower than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend James Rickards High School?
1,718 students attend James Rickards High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
71% of James Rickards High School students are Black, 10% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are White, 7% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of James Rickards High School?
James Rickards High School has a student ration of 26:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does James Rickards High School offer ?
James Rickards High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is James Rickards High School part of?
James Rickards High School is part of Leon School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Quality of programs were not excellent, when I was a student at Rickards, however their music and drama courses were wonderful. The teachers were very informed and they kept you on your toes. The things that I learned at Rickards, such as economics & photography, has really made my interests in life that more pleasant.
Review James Rickards High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
