Greetings Falcon Family,

Welcome to Huguenot High School, home of the Mighty, Mighty Falcons. Huguenot is the largest school in Richmond Public Schools; our comprehensive high school supports over 1200 students. HHS supports one of the largest ESL programs south of the James River. We are a thriving and welcoming community of learners and there has been a strong attraction to the quality programs and newly constructed campus over the past few years. 

Five years ago, I brought my family from Oklahoma to provide them a greater opportunity educationally and a superior cultural environment.  As a former high school English teacher, my passion for students has always centered around enhanced communication skills and strong cognitive development.  In my time as the principal of Huguenot, I have always looked to hire teachers and staff with personal grit to be able to fight through the challenges of the career and passion for individual student relationships.

The past five years have centered on the ideals behind the following themes.  All students are groomed, through an environment of reinforcement and tenacity within a culture of autonomy, to successfully complete college or excel in a trade to ultimately flourish in a 21st-century society. Our learners have a proud history and a bright future beyond high school.  Daily we celebrate our beauty inside and out to remind us of the value in all people.  Our Falcons are eager to make their mark upon this school, city, and state.  We are determined to extend our influence and reputation beyond our campus walls.  With unprecedented change comes opportunity which gives us virtually limitless boundaries for growth.

This year will be the first in the history of the school to start virtually.  We are all struggling to adjust to life during a pandemic.  We will continue to strive towards the Dreams4RPS five pillars: Exciting and Rigorous Teaching and Learning, Skilled and Supported Staff, Safe and Loving School Cultures, Deep Partnership with Families and Community, and a Modern Systems and Infrastructure.  We will start the year with an abundance of patience and grace towards students and staff.  Our learning curve as we transition to a one to one school will set us apart among our peer schools.

My ask of you as a parent, guardian, community partner, student or staff is to be attentive to your child’s and or your own progress. Do not assume that everything is going well.  Please check and check often.  Please stay in touch with us via our multiple platforms and social media outlets.  We will push out information to your email, phone, address, and through technology.  Mostly develop communication loops with the school.  This could be the teachers that serve your student, counselors that guide, social workers that support, and principals that lead.  Email me directly when you cannot get the help you need at rgilstra@rvaschools.net. 

Please partner with us in making this school year the most impactful and meaningful year in all our students’ lives.  Reach out to us if we can assist you or your child.  We aim to have meaningful relationships with all our students and families.

Huguenot High School receives 2020 Board of Education Continuous Improvement Award

Schools recognized for continuous improvement were rated “Accredited” or “Accredited with Conditions” for 2019-2020 and met at least one of the following four criteria based on performance during 2018-2019:

• A 10-point increase in the combined rate in reading and math, and the pass rate in science;
• A 10-point increase in the combined rate in reading and math for two or more student groups across three years;
• A decrease in the chronic absenteeism rate for three years; or
• For schools with a graduating class, an increase in the Graduation and Completion Index and a decrease in the dropout rate for three years.

Robert Gilstrap

Principal, Huguenot High School

Virtually Limitless