Richards Middle School

Grades 6th - 8th   District 8   799 Students

2892 Edgewood Road, Columbus, GA 31906
Phone 706-569-3697, Fax 706-569-3704

School Website: https://sites.muscogee.k12.ga.us/richards/
Bus Details Cafeteria Menu Live Homework Help


Mission Statements

The Mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential.

The Mission of Richards IB Program is to prepare students to become life-long learners through international understanding and respect, while still carrying out the Mission of the Muscogee County School District.

Richards, named for Walter Alan Richards, who served as President of the Muscogee County Board of Education from 1950 until his death in 1961, opened its doors on September 5th of the same year. It began as a junior high school serving families in one of the most established neighborhoods in Columbus, Georgia. Steeped in tradition and with a reputation of high academics, Richards became an International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet in 2001. Drawing students, with diverse backgrounds, from across the district and strengthening its name in academic competitions, Richards has empowered students to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

Walter Alan Richards’ initials were the impetus for the spirited mascot naming at Richards Middle School, the ‘WARriors!’

To meet the needs of an expanded student population, an addition of eleven classrooms was built in 2001, and in 2013. Richards underwent restorations and new construction of eight classrooms, with the intent of growing the IB program.

Presently, Richards enrollment is 852 students. The school offers the state curriculum plus gifted and special education services, classes in IB, accelerated mathematics, science, Spanish, and fine arts.

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Currently, our student population is 48% IB - 52% Traditional.

Richards Middle School is an authorized International Baccalaureate world school. The information below will provide you with an overview of how the Middle Years Program is implemented here at Richards. If you have any questions, please contact our MYP coordinator, Mrs. Kimberly M. Casleton (Casleton.Kimberly.M@muscogee.k12.ga.us Or 706-569-3697).

Why MYP?

  • It encourages international mindedness in students, starting with a foundation in their own language and culture.
  • It encourages a positive attitude toward learning by challenging students to solve problems, show creativity and resourcefulness, and participate actively in their communities.
  • It reflects real life by providing students a way to connect subjects and meaningful issues.

Three Levels of Curriculum

  • Written Curriculum
    • We teach Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
    • Our teachers develop unit plans collaboratively for the benefit of all students.
  • Taught Curriculum
    • Weekly and daily lesson plans are designed to allow students to explore the content.
    • Learning experiences are designed to develop student skills, attitudes, and interests in the content.
  • Assessed Curriculum
    • Criterion-based formative and summative assessments are designed by teachers to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the content and MYP objectives at a high cognitive level.
    • Our students take all required Georgia Milestones standardized tests.

MYP Objectives and Assessment Criteria

Each subject has four MYP objectives. The objectives of each subject group state the specific targets that are set for learning in that subject group. They define what the student will be able to accomplish as a result of studying the subject. Each objective is elaborated by a number of strands; a strand is an aspect or indicator of the learning expectation.
MYP assessment criteria measure a student’s work against the MYP objectives. Each criterion has four bands and achievement levels from zero to eight. Summative and criterion-based formative assessments are judged against MYP criteria. MYP criteria for all grade levels and subject groups are located at the following link: .

Read more about the The IB Middle Years Program at http://www.ibo.org/myp/

School Accolades

At Richards Middle School, we seek to provide our students with the best educational experience possible, providing our students with a safe environment full of extracurricular opportunities.


Student Council * Model United Nations * Math Team * Drama / Theater * Peer Helpers * National History Day * Spanish Club * Yearbook Staff * National Junior Honor Society * Band * Drumline * Builders Club * Art Club * Science Fair * Science Olympiad * Robotics * Orchestra * Social Science Fair * Academic Bowl Team * Reading Bowl * Reading Club * Broadcast Team * Warriors For Christ * (FCA) Fellowship of Christian Athletes * WyldLife * Velocity * Sewing/Crafting Club * Gaming Club * Mandarin Chinese * FBLA * Teacher Cadet Program * Junior Leadership Program* Boys and Girls Stick Club (Field Hockey and LaCrosse)

2022-2023 - Boys Soccer City Champions

2022-2023 - Girls Soccer 2nd Place City Championship

2022-2023 - Boys Cross Country City Champions

2022-2023 - Girls Cross Country City Champions

2022-2023 MCSD PAGE Academic Bowl – 1st Place

• Region 2nd Place Winner

2021-2022 MCSD PAGE Academic Bowl – 1st Place

• Region Winner

• State Competitor

2019-2020 MCSD PAGE Academic Bowl – 1st Place

• Region Winner

• State Competitor

Math Team, 1st Place, 2023 St. Luke Tournament

Math Team, 1st Place, 2022 St. Luke Tournament

Math Team, 1st Place, 2019 St. Luke Tournament

Math Team, 2nd Place, 2021 CHS Tournament

Math Team, 1st Place, 2022 CHS Puzzle Competition

Math Team, 1st Place, 2023 Math Counts, Columbus Chapter

Math Team, 2nd Place, 2022 Math Counts, Columbus Chapter

Math Team, 1st Place, 2020 Math Counts, Columbus Chapter

Math Team, 1st Place, 2022 CSU Math Masters

Math Team, 1st Place, 2021 CSU Math Masters

Math Team, 2nd Place, 2020 CSU Math Masters

2020-2021 - Two recipients of the REACH Scholarship

2019-2020 Football City Champions

2019-2020 Fall Golf B-League Champions

2019-2020 Tennis League Placers

2022-2023 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2021-2022 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2019-2020 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2019-2020 FLL Robotics Champions Award

2019-2020 PAGE Academic Bowl State Competitors

\2019-2020 MCSD PAGE Academic Bowl - 1st Place

2018-2019 Atlanta Urban Debate State Champions - Team Varsity Division

2018-2019 Atlanta Urban Debate State Champions - Team Novice Division

2018-2019 Atlanta Urban Debate State Champions - Individual Speaker - Novice Division

2018-2019 Region Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2018-2019 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2017-2018 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

2017-2018 Boys Soccer City Champions

2016-2017 First Place - Jr. Varsity Division - Robotics Competition

2016-2017 Academic Bowl Regional Winners

2016-2017 Academic Bowl State Winners

2016-2017 Muscogee County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Champions

Athletic Program Philosophy:

Participation, performance and competition in the athletic program will focus on the opportunity for students to develop and exhibit skills to the best of their abilities. All athletic squads will be treated with equality. Team and individual performance will be developed and recognized.

Objectives of the Athletic Program:
1. Participation in athletics shall be available to any student expressing a desire to be involved.

2. The values of good sportsmanship and the dynamics of teamwork shall be stressed constantly.

3. The importance of teaching young athletes now to give and receive recognition shall be incorporated into practices and games.

4. The interaction of special friendships and the impact of adult role models should always be a part of the awareness of those working with young athletes.

5. Students shall be challenged to strive for the highest level of excellence for each athlete as they participate and compete.

6. Students shall be given the opportunity to explore the capabilities of their changing physical make-up, with the recognition of the potential for further physical growth.

Richards has a rich tradition of student-athletics in Muscogee County. Go Warriors!

Athletics Offered:

Soccer (boys and girls)

Volleyball (girls)

Golf (boys and girls) - Club Sport

Tennis (boys and girls) - Club Sport

Football (boys)

Cross Country (boys and girls)

Basketball (boys and girls)

Baseball (boys) - Club Sport

Track (boys and girls)

Wrestling (boys and girls)

Lacrosse/Field Hockey Club/Team (boys and girls)

Partners In Education

  • Columbus Water Works

Duane A Wizzard
MS PRINCIPAL

Duane A Wizzard
Wizzard.Duane.A@muscogee.k12.ga.us
Ebony N McNeill
MS ACADEMIC COACH
Ebony N McNeill

McNeill.Ebony.N@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Kimberly M Casleton
MS IB COORDINATOR
Kimberly M Casleton

Casleton.Kimberly.M@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Latasha Stigger
MS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Latasha Stigger

Stigger.Latasha.D@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Michael Carroll Smith
MS SECONDARY DEAN
Michael Carroll Smith

Smith.Michael.C2@muscogee.k12.ga.us

Wendy B Sands
MS SECONDARY DEAN
Wendy B Sands

Sands.Wendy.B@muscogee.k12.ga.us


Board Representatives
Margot Schley [District 8]
Kia Chambers [At Large]

Zone Chief