IMPACT
To date, RPSEF has raised over $13 million for Richmond Public Schools.
RPS200
By extending the academic year to 200 instructional days, from the traditional 180, RPS200 aims to bridge pandemic-induced learning gaps and enhance student achievement. Launching as a pilot in July 2023 at Cardinal Elementary and Fairfield Court Elementary, this initiative has already showcased remarkable results, including significant improvements in fall reading scores and increased student attendance.
RPS200 offers schools the autonomy to tailor additional instructional time to meet their unique needs, fostering an environment ripe for innovative teaching and enriching learning experiences. Backed by a comprehensive incentive system for our dedicated teachers and staff, we're committed to providing high-quality education and nurturing the potential of every student.
Join us in celebrating the early successes of RPS200 as we continue to embark on this transformative journey, endorsed by the School Board's recent vote to extend the pilot. Learn more about how RPS200 is making strides in addressing educational challenges and preparing our students for a brighter future.
The Foundation is aggressively pursuing investments to grow this pilot.
Trauma Response & Healing Fund
Following a tragedy in June 2023, we launched the Trauma Response & Healing Fund, an initiative dedicated to fostering resilience and promoting healing within our school community. This fund supports programs and resources aimed at addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of both students and staff as they encounter life's challenges.
By investing in the mental health and emotional support systems of our schools, we are nurturing an environment where every member of the RPS community can thrive. Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of some of the most talented, intelligent, and resilient young people in the nation. Your support is not just an investment in their present; it's a commitment to their future.
To date, we have assisted nearly 6000 families with this fund.
Literacy
We're driven by the transformative power of the Science of Reading. This evidence-based approach to literacy instruction is at the heart of our mission to revolutionize how reading is taught across RPS. By focusing on the foundational years of PK-3, our investments ensure that students master the critical skills of learning to read—from phonemic awareness to fluency—setting them up for a lifetime of success.
As our students transition from learning to read, to reading to learn, the stakes get higher. The ability to absorb complex information, think critically, and engage deeply with content across all subjects hinges on solid reading skills. This is where our Foundation's efforts to support literacy come full circle. By equipping educators with the tools and training grounded in the Science of Reading, we are ensuring that every RPS student has the opportunity to thrive, not just in the classroom, but in life.
To truly move the needle forward in RPS, addressing reading isn't just an option; it's a necessity. Our commitment to literacy is a commitment to unlocking every student's potential. Join us in fostering a culture of reading that transforms educational outcomes and shapes the future of our community. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of Richmond's young learners.