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Tara Sheehan

Date of Award

12-16-2025

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Thomas Shields

Abstract

Educational inequality in the U.S. is often discussed across district lines, but differences between schools within the same district are just as significant. This paper examines intradistrict disparities in Richmond Public Schools (RPS) by comparing William Fox Elementary and Broad Rock Elementary. Although both schools operate under the same district, they serve very different student populations and produce markedly different outcomes. William Fox serves mostly White and economically advantaged students, with higher test scores, lower absenteeism, fewer behavioral incidents, and access to a wide range of enrichment programs. Broad Rock, on the other hand, serves predominantly Hispanic and Black students, many of whom are economically disadvantaged or English learners, and faces lower test scores, higher absenteeism, more behavioral incidents, and limited enrichment opportunities.

These differences are not caused by student ability, but by opportunity gaps shaped by neighborhood zoning, family resources, and structural inequities in funding and school support. Weighted per-pupil funding and intradistrict school choice policies provide only partial solutions, as unequal access to information, transportation, and community support are unevenly distributed within districts. Policies like controlled open enrollment, need-based funding adjustments, and rezoning strategies could help reduce these gaps. This study shows that inequality exists within a district and educational opportunity is still strongly linked to race, class, and neighborhood.

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