Welcome Home, Bulldogs!

Dear Richmond High School for the Arts Families, Students, Alumni, and Community,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year and to a beautiful new chapter in the story of Richmond High School for the Arts!

It is my distinct honor to serve as your principal. This opportunity is deeply personal to me because I am not only an educator and school leader—I am also a proud graduate of this school’s Class of 1992. To return home and lead the school that helped shape me is both humbling and purposeful.

I began my career as a teacher in Richmond Public Schools and have also served as an assistant principal and principal. In 2024, I was honored to be named the RPS Principal of the Year. Throughout my career, I have remained committed to creating schools where students are known, loved, challenged, and prepared to thrive.

I believe deeply in the power of relationships, consistency, creativity, and high expectations. My promise to our students is simple:

RHSA, I love you on purpose—and I expect you to live, learn, and create with purpose.

A New Building and a New Beginning

This year, we are doing more than opening a new school building. We are creating a new culture and setting a new standard for what it means to be a Bulldog.

Our students are entering a space intentionally designed for learning, collaboration, performance, creativity, and innovation. As the first Passion4Learning school in Richmond Public Schools, RHSA will provide students with relevant, rigorous, learner-centered, experiential, and collaborative learning opportunities.

In this space, love will be our foundation, creativity will be our language, and excellence will be our standard.

We honor the history, traditions, alumni, and educators who built the foundation of this school. At the same time, we understand that a new building gives us an opportunity to begin again. We will not carry old habits, limitations, or low expectations into this new space. We will move forward with pride, purpose, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Our First Student Days

We will welcome students through a staggered opening:

• Monday, August 24: Ninth-grade students report for the Cohort 2030 Opening Act.
• Tuesday, August 25: Students in grades 10–12 report for The RHSA Premiere. All students will attend beginning Tuesday.
• Students who did not receive schedules during Open House will receive them when they arrive.

Our school day begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and breakfast ends at 8:55 a.m.

Arrival and Dismissal

The bus loop on the Midlothian Turnpike side is reserved exclusively for school buses. Personal vehicles may not enter the bus loop.

Students who walk or are dropped off must use the Crutchfield Street side of the building. Drivers should allow students to exit safely along Crutchfield Street and walk along the sidewalk to the designated student entrance.

Students arriving after 8:55 a.m. must enter through the main entrance on the Crutchfield Street side.

At dismissal:

• Bus riders will exit toward the bus loop.
• Walkers and students being picked up will exit on the Crutchfield Street side.
• Families may park along Crutchfield Street and wait for students to exit.
• Early dismissal requests end at 3:45 p.m.
• Parents and guardians may not enter the building or request student pick-up after 3:45 p.m.

Parent and Visitor Procedures

We want our families and community members to feel welcomed while also protecting the safety and instructional time of our students.

All parents, guardians, visitors, and guests must enter through the main entrance on the Crutchfield Street side, present identification, and follow the school’s visitor procedures.

During the opening days of school, parents and guardians will not be permitted to enter the building to walk students to class. Our staff will be positioned throughout the building to welcome students, help them locate classrooms, and guide them through their new routines.

Attendance Matters

Success begins with being present and on time. Teachers will verify attendance during every class block, and students who are not physically present will be marked absent.

A student’s first day of attendance becomes the official enrollment-entry date. Families should ensure that students report on the correct opening day and attend school consistently thereafter.

We ask families to schedule appointments outside of instructional hours whenever possible and to communicate with the school when an absence cannot be avoided.

Safety and Security

RHSA follows all Richmond Public Schools safety policies and procedures.

• Students must use an approved clear bag.
• All bags are subject to search.
• Students should bring only the materials needed for school.
• Weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco products, vaping devices, and other prohibited items are not permitted.
• Vapes and prohibited items will be confiscated, and disciplinary consequences will follow.
• Students must cooperate with all entry and safety procedures.

Safety procedures may take additional time during the opening weeks. We appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation as we work to protect our entire school community.

Phones Off. Focus On.

We want students fully present and engaged throughout the instructional day.

Upon entering the building, cell phones, headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and personal electronic devices must be:

OFF AND AWAY—NOT IN HAND AND NOT VISIBLE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

Devices used in violation of school policy may be confiscated and may require parent or guardian pick-up.

Families should not call or text students during instructional time. If an emergency occurs, please contact the main office so that we can assist you.

Dress for the Standard

Students are expected to follow the RPS dress code and arrive dressed for a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment.

The following items are not permitted inside the building:

• Sleepwear or pajamas
• Bonnets or other sleep-related head coverings
• Sunglasses, unless medically required
• Hats, caps, hoods, and other headwear

Exceptions will be made for documented religious or medical reasons and approved spirit days.

We want every Bulldog to enter the building prepared, proud, focused, and ready to learn.

Food, Drinks, and Deliveries

Outside food deliveries will not be accepted. Students may not leave class to meet a delivery driver.

Students should also leave family-size drinks, family-size bags of chips, king-size candy, and glass bottles at home. Water, single-serving drinks, and reasonable individual snacks are encouraged.

Students may not sell food, candy, drinks, or other items at school.

Registration and Enrollment

The Registration Command Center will operate:

August 24–28
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Community Room

Families should enter through the front entrance and follow the signs directing them to the Community Room.

Registration does not guarantee that a student will be fully enrolled or able to attend classes that same day. Required documents must be verified, applications must be approved, and schedules must be completed before students can begin attending classes.

Partnership With Our Families and Community

RHSA belongs to all of us. Our students will be most successful when the school, families, alumni, partners, and community work together.

I ask our families to remain connected through ParentSquare, review school communications regularly, reinforce expectations at home, and contact us when support is needed. I also invite our alumni and community partners to join us as we build new traditions while honoring the legacy of this historic school.

Please review our complete Know Before You Go series with your student before the first day. Clear expectations and consistent support will help us create the safe, joyful, creative, and academically focused school our students deserve.

There will be moments during this opening when we must adjust, learn, and extend grace to one another. We are entering a new building, establishing new systems, and serving a large and beautifully diverse student body. We will not always get everything perfect on the first attempt, but we will communicate, respond, and continue improving together.

I am excited about what we will build in this space. I believe in our students. I believe in our staff. I believe in our families and community. Most importantly, I believe in the masterpiece RHSA is becoming.

Welcome home, Bulldogs. Our new chapter begins now.

This Space. This Time. This Standard.

With love and purpose,