OUR
MISSION
Our mission is to cultivate the God-given potential of students in Richmond’s East End through learning opportunities that equip them to flourish.
Mission
Founded in 2003 as a front-porch after school program, Rise Academy (formerly Church Hill Activities & Tutoring) has grown into a fully accredited high school for students in grades 9–12.
History
To see generations of young people transforming their communities through lives of purpose, service, and excellence.
Vision
Matching students’ God-given potential with opportunity
What you should know
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What you should know •
The Academy
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Rise Academy is intentionally small, ensuring each student’s unique identity is celebrated and their abilities recognized.
While most of our students come from Richmond’s East End, we also accept students from other areas of Richmond.
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The cost of a Rise Academy education is approx. $27,000, but families only have to pay a $200 student fee. This is due to generous donors who believe in our mission.
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Rise Academy is proud to be fully accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS). We are also a member school of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
These associations affirm the quality of our academics, culture, and care for students, place us among the top independent schools in the nation, and give families confidence that Rise meets the highest standards in education.
After school
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K–8th grade students from any school in The East End can attend our after school program.
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Donors who believe that all families should have access to affordable after school care for their children help us keep our cost to families low.
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During their time with us, after school students receive homework help, engage in enriching activities, and eat dinner.
Our team
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Since 2024, Rise Academy has been led by Dr. Brittany Lopes.
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Faculty and staff joyfully work together to help students dream big.
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Rise Academy is under the stewardship of a diverse Board of Trustees.
Since 2003, we’ve partnered with students and families in Richmond’s East End to create access to educational opportunities. Formerly Church Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT), we reintroduced ourselves as Rise Richmond in 2023 to reflect the range of programs we offered. In June of 2025, we move forward under a single name: Rise Academy.
History
Church Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT) is founded by Percy & Angie Strickland in their home at the encouragement of Pastor Don Coleman. The primary focus is to provide after-school enrichment to families in Church Hill.
The organization expands when Church Hill Academy is created, and with the purchase our first building.
The first class graduates from the Academy.
CHAT starts a workforce development program to provide small business learning opportunities to anyone in the community.
The Academy moves into our current location, Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church (CABC) on Carlisle Avenue
Rise Academy becomes fully accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.
The after school program becomes an approved student program by the Virginia Department of Education
We rebrand from CHAT to Rise Richmond, maintaining our nonprofit identity with three different programs – Rise Academy, Rise After School, Rise Labs (workforce development).
The workforce development program becomes an official part of Rise Academy’s curriculum so that students can receive career and technical education as part of their high school experience.
CHAT evolves from being Rise Richmond–a nonprofit organization with three programs–into Rise Academy, an independent high school that serves students in grades 9–12. Rise Academy continues to support the broader community through its after school program for K–8th graders.
With Rise Academy being the primary focus of the organization, we're able to better equip our students to dream big. The future is bright!