3426 Ellwood Ave
Richmond, VA 23221

Albert Hill has been a GREAT home for my two children (now in 8th and 10th grades). The staff is mostly dedicated and caring, and Ms. Ivy has created a culture of care, success and opportunity. I have found her to be enormously responsive to parent input and ideas, and the admin staff is very professional, prompt and caring. Albert Hill is a unique place where the student body is very diverse racially and economically. The team is devoted to giving each student and their families opportunity to excel.

I attended OHS from 1998-2002. As an alum of Open High School, I can proudly say that I grew into a lifelong learner and thinker because of the independence and quality of education provided by the teachers and staff of Open High. The small knit community and class sizes allow teachers and students to get consistent feedback as well as growth in different subject areas and personal matters. Teachers act more as mentors as they guide students through the knowledge. Self study and curiosity are encouraged and welcomed. I do not recall an emphasis on SOLs but I recall passing them all every year. Students who graduate from Open High School tend to be great additions to society. Most attend and graduate from a university with advanced degrees. The class of 2002 alumni mostly have Masters degrees and Doctoral degrees in their perspective fields. Most of us are still friends 18+ years later.Open High School is a TOP school within Richmond Public Schools.

We were hesitant about Cary, but now we couldn't be happier. Our son began kindergarten there in August 2022. We adore his teacher, the principal is very involved, and it has the welcoming feel of a small, neighborhood school. We love their values; Cary won a presigious "Green Ribbon" award from the Department of Education for it's commitment to environmentalism and encouraging the children to learn outdoors; especially for a public school, they really try to keep the kids outdoors and moving around as much as possible. My son has gardening class at the raised beds near his playground, and is learning about soil and how to make things grow. I also LOVE their commitment to social/emotional learning. Every other week he has "guidance" class with the school counselor where they learn about being a good friend, setting boundaries, how to cope with big feelings, etc. The school has some problems just like any city school, but we've been pleasantly surprised by so much and we are very happy that he's there.

The community here is incredible. TJ is an amazing school. There are problems to be addressed, sure, but if a student needs something, they will get it. If a parent needs something, they will get it. Scores do not communicate the entire story of a school and should be reviewed VERY carefully.

As parents, this is the best decision that we could have made. We came from a private school in the first 9 years to move into the public school system where in Richmond is not highly regarded. But this school is the crown jewel of RPS. The quality of the teachers, counselors, students and administrators has been nothing less than spectacular. The challenge given by the teachers and administrators to the students could be overwhelming at first, but the way that the challenge is nurtured leads to a complete graduate that is ready for college. Students that come back to RCHS after a year or two of college credit the years spent here as the building blocks of seamless transmission to higher education. It is really a hidden gem in RPS.

Amazing School. Teachers are amazing and so nice. The students there are so kind and smart also.