CaliforniaSchoolsEdward J. Richardson Middle

Edward J. Richardson Middle

PublicRegular
Torrance, California · Torrance Unified
Teachers26.0FTE
Ratio25.0:1students per teacher
Students649enrolled
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
Students649
Grade Span6–8
Student:Teacher25.0:1
Free/Reduced Lunch18%
Title INo
SectorPublic
Student : Teacher
27.1:1
8.4%vs prior yrUS avg 15.4:1
Teacher FTE
24
7.7%vs prior yr
Enrollment
651
0.3%vs prior yr
Years of Data
5
2020–2024
Counselors
1:686
5.9%vs prior yrASCA max 1:250
Nurses
1:2,983
26.4%vs prior yrNASN max 1:750
Psychologists
1:2,287
57%vs prior yrNASP max 1:500
Social Workers
1:6,860
5.9%vs prior yrSSWAA max 1:250
Trends & 5-year history below

Pupil : Teacher Ratio — 5-Year Trend

14.5:117.2:119.9:122.6:125.3:128.0:12020202120222023202425.4:122.8:124.5:125.0:127.1:1This schoolUS public-school avg

Enrollment & Teacher FTE

633644656667679690242526262728202020212022202320246866376616496512728272624EnrollmentTeacher FTE

Year-by-year workforce

Metric20202021202220232024Nat Avg
Enrollment686637661649651
Teacher FTE2728272624
Pupil : Teacher ratio25.4:122.8:124.5:125.0:127.1:115.4:1

What These Numbers Mean

Teacher FTE

Full-Time Equivalent counts part-time teachers proportionally. One full-time teacher = 1.0 FTE; two half-time teachers also = 1.0 FTE. This is the standard federal reporting unit.

Pupil : Teacher ratio

NCES-reported ratio divides total enrollment by teacher FTE. It is NOT the same as average class size — schools with specialists, coaches, and resource teachers will show lower ratios than typical class sizes.

How to read the trend

A falling pupil:teacher ratio (line going down) means more staffing per student — generally a positive signal. A rising line can indicate budget pressure or fast enrollment growth outpacing hiring. Always compare to the US average (dashed grey).

Historical data spans 20202024 from NCES CCD.

Student Support & Wellbeing

Non-teaching staff who support student mental health, physical health, and behavioural needs. Lower pupil-to-staff ratios mean more one-on-one access.

Counselors & Social Workers — staff to pupils (recommended 1:250)

1:01:1,7501:3,4991:5,2491:6,9981:8,7482015201720201:9111:7291:6861:8,1001:7,2901:6,860Counselor : PupilsSocial Worker : PupilsRecommended 1:250

Nurses & Psychologists — staff to pupils

1:01:8751:1,7501:2,6241:3,4991:4,3742015201720201:3,8371:4,0501:2,9831:6081:1,4581:2,287Nurse : PupilsNASN 1:750Psychologist : PupilsNASP 1:500

Support staffing & ratios — year by year

Metric201520172020Nat Avg
Counselors (FTE)0.811
Nurses (FTE)0.20.20.2
Psychologists (FTE)1.20.50.3
Social Workers (FTE)0.10.10.1
Counselor : Pupils1:9111:7291:6861:250
Nurse : Pupils1:3,8371:4,0501:2,9831:750
Psychologist : Pupils1:6081:1,4581:2,2871:500
Social Worker : Pupils1:8,1001:7,2901:6,8601:250

Why these ratios matter

Counselors (ASCA 250:1)

School counselors support academic planning, college & career readiness, and social-emotional wellbeing. The American School Counselor Association recommends no more than 250 students per counselor.

Nurses (NASN 750:1)

School nurses manage chronic conditions, medications, immunisations, and emergencies. The National Association of School Nurses recommends at least 1 full-time nurse per 750 students (more for high-need populations).

Psychologists (NASP 500:1)

School psychologists assess learning & behavioural needs, run mental-health interventions, and coordinate special-education services. NASP recommends 500:1 or lower.

Social workers (SSWAA 250:1)

School social workers bridge home-school relationships, address attendance & trauma, and connect families to community resources. SSWAA recommends 250:1.

Source: US Dept of Education CRDC (20152020) — Civil Rights Data Collection.