Happy New Year Open High!

Please join me in saying good riddance to 2020 and welcoming better days in 2021. We hope everybody has had a rejuvenating break and is ready to begin the new year strong. As with any time of transition, it’s wise to take inventory of where we are and where we have been.

At Open, we want to embrace new goals as we also reaffirm who we are. Our mission to develop intellectually curious and socially responsible students is steadfast. Obviously the pandemic has forced us to make changes, but it has also forced us to reflect more on how we can best serve adolescent learners. We learned quickly that there are many drawbacks to virtual learning, the biggest being the simple yet profound loss of human proximity and connection. Maintaining a connection continues to be a primary goal of Open High as we move into the spring semester. The community circle model--which we continue to practice in Family--is a move to accomplish this and may also be practiced in core courses so teachers and students can continue to build trusting relationships. And because we believe that student voice is essential to growth, we invite students to share their ideas, their questions, and their struggles every single day. Our hard-working teachers are committed to providing a supportive space for students to tackle complex reading, multi-step equations, or just wonder out loud about the world around them.

Just like our students, Open High will only remain strong if we continue to grow and improve. For example, recently a team of teachers examined our admissions process to address concerns about equity. We feel passionately that diversity is a strength that makes Open a dynamic place to learn, and we hope small changes to our process can help us maintain a school that represents all of Richmond. If you have any questions about this year or an Open education, don't hesitate to contact me at cwashing@rvaschools.net or at (804) 229-9961.

Be well, stay safe, and keep celebrating Open minds!

Clary Carleton

Principal