PLANTING SEEDS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

IN RICHMOND AND BEYOND

Rooted & Rising

This spring, we’re raising $25,000 to invest in the people, programs, and opportunities that help our students thrive.

Make a gift

$25K raised + $25K matching gift = $50,000

Money raised will support next year’s after-school expansion so we can offer the following at no cost to families:

  • intramurals

  • competitive sports through Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA)

  • mentoring groups

  • student-led clubs

  • weekly tutoring-school

Raising $25,000 will help us unlock a $25,000 matching gift from a generous donor.

Your gift grows graduates who will contribute to the collective flourishing of Richmond.

Your gift

A seed of possibility

The Rise Academy experience

Teachers who cultivate student potential, partnerships rooted in Richmond’s East End, and opportunities to be challenged

Thriving graduates

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Young people prepared to find success in their next steps

Flourishing communities

Where Rise Academy graduates are engaged citizens using their success to make a positive impact

The Class of 2026

Confidently taking their next steps

  • DAVID BOTKIN

    THE APPRENTICE SCHOOL, Electrician

    “If it wasn’t for Rise, I don’t know what I would be doing next. My parents never taught me real-life stuff. Mrs. Andrews is the one who helped me fill out the forms and taught me about budgeting, taxes, banking. Real-world stuff.”

  • JAY'KYRA BROWN

    HOLLINS UNIVERSITY, Biology

    “I’m going to miss being able to talk to your teacher and have them teach you something new, even when it’s not a class period. I’ve learned that I’m not bad at math like I thought, and in 10 years I want to be finishing up med school so I can become an OBGYN.”

  • AHKEI CARTER

    FORTIS TRADE SCHOOL, Construction

    “A lot of people have given up on me, but Rise has given me a chance. A lot of chances. Chapel has taught me that I can’t do nothing without God and graduating is a dream come true. I’m definitely going to cry.”

  • CE'ANA GLASSPIE

    RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE, Engineering

    “I didn’t have a way to get to my old school. I came here because of the transportation and since I’ve been here I learned how to meet new people and be more outgoing.”

  • CE'ASIA GLASSPIE

    OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY, Mathematics

    “Rise has taught me I don’t need to be scared to ask questions and that I can actually do the work. If I didn’t come here, I would be more quiet and I wouldn’t be going to ODU.”

  • COREYONA JENKINS

    COSMETOLOGY School

    “If it wasn’t for Rise, I don’t think I would have succeeded the way I wanted to. Before, I didn’t really care for school, but staff here are always in my ear saying they want me to graduate and become something. I’m going to miss how they put aside what they’re doing to help me.”

  • MICHELLE MENDEZ

    TATTOO APPRENTICESHIP

    “I came to Rise because my mom wanted to send me somewhere small and safe. I used to think I didn’t know how to communicate with people or I could never be in the world or at a job setting, but I’m less shy now. In 10 years, I want to be able to afford to travel a lot.”

  • DEVONTE PARKER

  • CHANCE SMITH

    NORFOLK STATE, Political Science

    “Rise has taught me that I don’t always have to fit in. It’s ok to sit by yourself or be by yourself, and you can still explore new opportunities. I’m excited to become a lawyer to use my voice and speak up for others.”

  • KY'HEIM SMITH

    VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, Dentistry

    “Before I came here, I had no goals, didn’t take anything seriously. But then I was around people who were taking school seriously, and that rubbed off on me. If it wasn’t for Rise, I wouldn’t be going to college, and I’ve learned that no matter what I’m going through in life, I just have to keep going and trying every day.”

  • BJ SUMMERVILLE

    OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY, Financial Management

    “I’ve learned I need to trust myself more. Before I came here, I wasn’t pushing myself to the fullest, and now I’m actually trying to reach goals because I know what i can do.”

  • IVYONNA TOLLIVER

    VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Business Administration

    “I’ve gotten more opportunities here to learn about myself and to express myself. In 10 years I hope I’m on a succesful path.”

  • CAMERON VANNOR

    CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY

  • TAYONNA YELLARDY

  • LANIYA YOUNG

    FLIGHT SCHOOL

    “I used to have my hood on and be the girl in the corner. But at Rise, I’ve let loose and realized I can talk to people. I’ll miss the opportunities here. If it wasn’t for the speakers they brought in, I wouldn’t be going to flight school.”

THRIVING GRADUATES

Highlights from recent classes

THE CLASS OF 2024

13 students

  • $1M in scholarships earned

  • 80 college acceptances

THE CLASS OF 2025

16 students

  • $2M in scholarships earned

  • 200 college acceptances

THE TEACHERS

Cultivating student potential

  • BRITTANY ANDREWS

    COLLEGE & CAREER and TECHNICAL EDUCATION

    “This is a place where students can become better citizens. My job is to get them to understand they’re made in God’s image and to encourage them to be their best selves.”

  • COURTNEY BARBER

    SCIENCE, WORLD RELIGION

    “I’m called to be here. My job is to be a voice of encouragement. I meet students where they are and speak life into their potential. ”

  • MOLLY KAUFMAN

    FINE ARTS

    “Everyone is so terrified of art, but being creative in life is something you can always take with you. I’ve done my job when students have newfound confidence and know they have the power to tell their story.”

  • TRACEY LEWIS

    HISTORY, CREATIVE WRITING

    “I help students remember that they’re the authority on their lives and they can use their voice to make a mark.”

  • JOSH MCDONALD

    HEALTH & PE

    “Being a teacher means you’re planting seeds someone else is going to benefit from. My job is to model who God is through who I am, and if I see students later on trying to be good at their job or be a good parent, then I know I’ve done my job.”

  • MIRANDA SCHNAKENBERG

    ENGLISH

    “My classroom mantra is ‘we can do hard things.’ I could lower expectations, but if I want to actually cultivate student potential, then I need to hold them to a high standard and build steps for them to get there.”

  • SAM WALLACE

    MATH

    “I could have taught anywhere but I love the community here. I really believe every student can be a successful math student so I set high expectations but know students are starting at different places so I support them to meet expectations. I’ve done my job when students have that ‘aha’ moment and don’t need me anymore.”

The Community

Planting seeds for our collective flourishing

  • EMMETT CORBOY

    DONOR

    “My involvement with Rise started by seeking to donate funds to a local NAP-eligible organization to offset state taxes and lower federal taxes. I have seen the lives impacted and feel very passionate about the mission and purpose of Rise. My initial involvement as a donor has evolved into serving on the board and becoming a more active participant in this work.”

  • PASTOR DON COLEMAN

    CO-FOUNDER

    “Rise Academy is an opportunity for young people in our community to get what they deserve (a quality education), and it’s an opportunity for donors to invest in making a difference in the future.”

  • MYRTLE THAXTON

    PROGRAM ALUMNUS & BOARD MEMBER

    “Rise was the place where I did homework and fun activities, learned, new skills, gained new experiences, earned money, and met new people. I continue to remain involved because I want to see students from my neighborhood with similar backgrounds succeed.”

  • SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

    CHURCH PARTNER

    “We want to give as much as we can to do as much good as we can to support the Rise Academy mission and Rise families. We believe that every student deserves a promising future.” – Tom Mitchell, Missions Pastor

  • THE GOOD FEET STORE

    CORPORATE PARTNER

    “We’re proud to celebrate Rise Academy, a small but mighty Christian high school rooted in Richmond’s East End. Students deserve a community that sees their potential and walks with them every step of the way.”

Your gift grows graduates who will contribute to the collective flourishing of Richmond.

Make a gift