In my opinion you can throw all the money in the world at the problem, but it will not do a bit of good for the students who's parents do not make education a priority.
Any child that grows up in a culture where 'keeping it real' is valued over advancing your education is doomed before they start.
Worse yet, the disruptions these students cause and the atmosphere they bring with them into the school is an impediment to all the students.
Expecting that more money, a new policy, or harder working teachers, can somehow fix it is preposterous. As the other posters have noted, Richmond City schools spend much more per student than neighboring localities... and have very dedicated, hard working teachers. Its painfully evident where the failure is. Its not policies, training, or old buildings... its at home.

I live in the City and pay taxes. I can tell you, unless something drastic changes, I will be moving out of the City before my child is school age.

How can "Glad I Don't Pay Taxes to the City" say that Richmond spends more than the surrounding counties (per student) and does a worse job, while "Richmond City school teacher" complains that she works "with very little funding"? I'll tell you why: CORRUPTION, plain and simple. It's been a problem in every facet of City government for as long as I can remember, from City Counsel to the School Board to thesor's office and everywhere in between, and it doesn't look like it's ever going to change.

All the dollars, from Richmond taxes and the Virginia Lottery proceeds that are earmarked for public education in the City, are filtered through so many dirty hands that, by the time the remaining pennies reach the schools, the institutions are left hampered by shoe string budgets.

Who suffers? The CHILDREN! (Which is the reason my child, and most concerned parents in the region's children, will never see the inside of a Richmond City Public School. It also explains why "Richmond City school teacher" is complaining about lack of involvement from apathetic parents.)

I commend you "Richmond City school teacher" for your optimism. Unfortunately, I fear the system will burn you out long before you are able to make it change, but I wish you the best.

Very little funding? You're kidding right? Why does Richmond spend over $12,000 per student while Chesterfield and Henrico can spend a little over $8000 per student. Yet only 54% of students in Richmond graduate high school while 78% and 86% of students in Henrico and Chesterfield respectively graduate high school. If I paid taxes in Richmond for schools that are barely successful 50% of the time, I'd be outraged!

Why all these polls hating on Richmond schools?

As a newly married, Richmond City resident, as well as a Richmond City School teacher, I want to say that our teachers are amazing. We work with very little funding and make do for our students usually from our own pockets. We also have a lack of parental involvement with the majority of the students, as well. Although we may get frustrated with lack of support, I would not change my job for anything. I love teaching my students. Our teachers ARE amazing; we are NOT in it for the money, we are in it for the children. With that being said, when my husband and I plan for children, will they be going to City schools in the district where we live? A sad no is the answer to that question. We will start looking at private schools or a move out to the county school systems and THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION.