Richmond Public Schools--Experiences/Informed Opinions

[Anonymous]

A while back there was a thread that kind-of devolved into a lot of discussion with RPS families. Assuming that means I'm not the only RVA person on this board.

We are making the big leap from a lovely private early childhood program to RPS in the fall.

Those of you who are in your neighborhood RPS ESs, how is it going? What do you love? What worries you (if anything)? Does the disaster of the School Board trickle down to your child's daily experiences? How are the teachers? How does your kid like school?

Any first person experiences/informed opinions welcome!

[Anonymous]

What is your zoned school?

[Anonymous]

If the current EC private is so lovely, why aren’t you continuing in private k-8 or k-12?
Yeah, what’s your zoned ES?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the current EC private is so lovely, why aren’t you continuing in private k-8 or k-12?
Yeah, what’s your zoned ES?

? Lots of preschools are private and don’t offer upper grades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your zoned school?

I’m sure I was posting in the thread you mentioned OP. This is the real question.

I have personal experience with Fox, and then both Hill and Binford for middle school. I also have friends with kids at several other schools and am a big advocate of RPS kids. I attend almost every school board meeting and live tweet them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your zoned school?

I’m sure I was posting in the thread you mentioned OP. This is the real question.

I have personal experience with Fox, and then both Hill and Binford for middle school. I also have friends with kids at several other schools and am a big advocate of RPS kids. I attend almost every school board meeting and live tweet them.

We did open enrollment and had/have a choice between PHSSA, Obama, & Holton. So it’s one of those. Would love your thoughts on all 3 if you have any. I have friends/colleagues/neighbors with kids at all 3 and reviews are fairly positive... it’s a well-educated and well-resourced parent group and nobody is switching schools or eyeing private now that COVID has calmed down a bit. (2020-21 was a different story.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If the current EC private is so lovely, why aren’t you continuing in private k-8 or k-12?
Yeah, what’s your zoned ES?

Your questions feel strangely combative. I wonder why? But, if you must know, mostly $$$$$$$$ with some philosophical beliefs mixed in.

[Anonymous]

Looking at the stats on school digger, none of the above
Good luck making a decision

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your zoned school?

I’m sure I was posting in the thread you mentioned OP. This is the real question.

I have personal experience with Fox, and then both Hill and Binford for middle school. I also have friends with kids at several other schools and am a big advocate of RPS kids. I attend almost every school board meeting and live tweet them.

We did open enrollment and had/have a choice between PHSSA, Obama, & Holton. So it’s one of those. Would love your thoughts on all 3 if you have any. I have friends/colleagues/neighbors with kids at all 3 and reviews are fairly positive... it’s a well-educated and well-resourced parent group and nobody is switching schools or eyeing private now that COVID has calmed down a bit. (2020-21 was a different story.)

PP who tweets again! Great and very different choices!!

Holton is a solid Northside school that has been a solid choice for a long time now. I know the principal and PTA president and they are both great people. Historically though, the Northside area was one of the bigger holdover areas during the push to rezoning in 2017-2018. There was an active group against pairing Holton with 2 other elementary schools for increased diversity (there was a vocal group FOR pairing! they just lost)


PHSSA is a charter school and runs on a year round calendar they have their own board as well. The families who go there fiercely love it.

Obama is FULL of school spirit and I know the principal is well liked. It’s the school I know the least about.

They are geographically pretty spaced out. Which one are you closest to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your zoned school?

I’m sure I was posting in the thread you mentioned OP. This is the real question.

I have personal experience with Fox, and then both Hill and Binford for middle school. I also have friends with kids at several other schools and am a big advocate of RPS kids. I attend almost every school board meeting and live tweet them.

We did open enrollment and had/have a choice between PHSSA, Obama, & Holton. So it’s one of those. Would love your thoughts on all 3 if you have any. I have friends/colleagues/neighbors with kids at all 3 and reviews are fairly positive... it’s a well-educated and well-resourced parent group and nobody is switching schools or eyeing private now that COVID has calmed down a bit. (2020-21 was a different story.)

PP who tweets again! Great and very different choices!!

Holton is a solid Northside school that has been a solid choice for a long time now. I know the principal and PTA president and they are both great people. Historically though, the Northside area was one of the bigger holdover areas during the push to rezoning in 2017-2018. There was an active group against pairing Holton with 2 other elementary schools for increased diversity (there was a vocal group FOR pairing! they just lost)


PHSSA is a charter school and runs on a year round calendar they have their own board as well. The families who go there fiercely love it.

Obama is FULL of school spirit and I know the principal is well liked. It’s the school I know the least about.

They are geographically pretty spaced out. Which one are you closest to?

Thanks… that’s all helpful. We are closest to Obama but within 3 miles of all.