Open High School

Dedicated To Excellence

    Principal Message

    •  

      Principal's Message

       

       

      Welcome to Open High!

      Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our special program. This school year is one of many firsts, but 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 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 us at cwashing@rvaschools.net or at (804) 229-9961.

       

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

      Clary Carleton

       

       

    Open HS Announcements

    Division Announcements

    • High School Summer School Bus Stops - The 2021 Summer School session for High School students begins Monday, June 28th. Click here to find a bus stop nearest you.
      Comments (-1)

    • Armstong and Richmond Community Graduation Changes - Please be aware that the Armstrong High School graduation ceremony has been moved up 1 hour tomorrow (June 22) to 8:00am and the Richmond Community graduation has been moved to Wednesday (June 23) at 1:00pm. Click here for more information.
      Comments (-1)

    • New Summer Meal Distribution - We are excited to share a variety of free meal pick-up options for our families beginning Monday, June 21st through the summer! Click here to find a site nearest you and to see an interactive map of sites!
      Comments (-1)

    • Student Device Collection - All RPS technology devices, including Chromebooks, hotspots, tablets, and laptops should be returned to schools with the exception of those attending summer school. Click here to learn more. 
      Comments (-1)

    • New 2021-22 Bell Schedule - The RPS School Board has approved new daily start/end times for students next year, click here to view the new schedule!
      Comments (-1)

    • RPS Reopening Dashboard - Click here to download the latest update of the RPS Reopening Dashboard.
      Comments (-1)

    • Family Support Helpline - Questions about reopening? Call the RPS Family Support Helpline at (804) 780-6195 and learn more about other resources available to families.
      Comments (-1)

    • Support RPS - There are many ways to support RPS and #ServeWithLove! Please consider volunteering, donating, or partnering with us, and for new and existing partners, don't forget to add your organization to our new searchable partnership database!

       
      Comments (-1)
    Peachjar Flyers

    "RPS Direct" Emails from Superintendent Kamras

    • RPS Direct Update - June 22, 2021

      Correction* Another fabulous graduation is in the books – congratulations to the Armstrong HS Class of 2021! Many thanks to Principal Bell and his team for running a beautiful ceremony this morning (before the rain :). We'll be closing things out tomorrow with George Wythe, Franklin Military Academy*, Richmond Community, and Thomas Jefferson. See you there! Tonight's Updates: Lit Limo – Can you believe the Lit Limo connected with over 12,000 RPS students this year? Take note of the schedule below the shout-outs so we can keep everyone reading this summer! VUU Youth Entrepreneurship Summit – RPS 11th and 12th graders, Virginia Union University is holding an entrepreneurship summit on June 24-25 just for you! Check out the flyer below and sign up here.

      Comments (-1)

    • RPS Direct Update - June 21, 2021

      Dear #RPSStrong Family, My apologies for coming to you later than usual tonight – we just wrapped up John Marshall's graduation ceremony at The Diamond! That was our third one of the day: this morning was Huguenot HS and this afternoon was Open HS. All three were all absolutely fantastic (see below for some pix of our valedictorians). Big shout out to Principal Gilstrap, Principal Carleton, Principal Murray, and our Chief Schools Officer, Harry Hughes, for planning and executing beautiful ceremonies! And, of course, congratulations to our amazing, pandemic-defying graduates.

      Comments (-1)
    more
     
    CLOSE
    CLOSE