The school officially opened in 1989. Our school's namesake, Richard L. Rice, was a dedicated board member. All of the schools in our district are named after a person who was either a teacher, principal, or board member. This tradition helps to celebrate and remember their hard work and dedication.

The enrollment at Rice School fluctuates with approximately 500 students in preschool through fifth grade. The school has the full-time services of an art, computer, music, and physical education teacher. There is also a media specialist. Once a week for the entire year, students attend each special subject. This provides the opportunity for integrated teaching units in addition to the regularly scheduled related arts classes. The school also has the services of the following certified staff: a nurse, a guidance counselor, reading recovery teachers, reading specialists, a physical therapist, speech therapists, resource room teachers, an instrumental music teacher, a world language teacher and classroom teachers. Curriculum areas are regularly reviewed, revised, and adjusted to reflect the needs of an ever changing society. District supervisors assist the school staff in these revisions and adjustments to the curricular areas of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, health, as well as physical education, art, music and library