Richmond’s steady climb in academic performance reached a new milestone this year as the district earned a 78.2 on its Annual Performance Report (APR), a score administrators said reflects three years of focused work and internal changes. The score marks a 21.2-point gain since 2022 and places Richmond among the few districts in its comparison group that posted an increase this cycle. The APR measures student achievement, attendance, graduation rate, categorical growth and career readiness across a three-year cycle. Richmond recorded a 57.0 in 2022, a 64.1 in 2023 and a 70.9 in 2024. This year’s 78.2 represents the largest single-year increase in that span and continues what administrators described as a consistent upward trajectory before the school board during its November meeting. “This was a major concern when I first arrived,” said Superintendent Dr. Bryan Copple. “I was shocked to see this number for our district and I’m proud to say that we’ve been able to make significant…