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
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!