RVA Future Centers
Each of the five comprehensive high schools have an RVA Future Center staffed by a dedicated professional to create, organize, and implement career/college activities focused on student success beyond high school. In partnership with the RPS School Counseling Department, RVA Future Centers help to identify the gaps, determine metrics for success, and develop a coordinated plan for effective service delivery.
The RVA Future Centers' mission is to facilitate student success, create a future-forward culture, and assist students in creating an actionable plan by the time they graduate from high school.
RVA Future Centers History
Launched in Fall 2015 as an initiative of the City of Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building and the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, the Future Centers are physical spaces that serve as school-based advising centers in the five comprehensive high schools (with satellite service at alternative schools in the division). In these centers, students can define their college and career plans, and receive guidance and support to execute them. Future Center Navigators partner with their school counselors to assist students with developing and executing post-secondary plans.
The Centers create a hub for students and families to meet with community-based organizations, higher education partners, military recruiters, and employers. Future Center staff have identified mission-aligned partners to drive year-round programming opportunities for students to advance post-secondary plans. They collaborate with the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction and Academic Programs and Support to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to successfully complete high school and plan for their future.
The Future Centers are designed to help our students take the steps needed to successfully transition to Enrollment, Enlistment, or Employment upon graduation. Students have access to support services including college and career readiness skill building, technical assistance, and more.
Our Future Centers staff and resources are available to our scholars throughout their high school experience and during their journey through college or early years in the workforce.
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Ensure that all participating students who graduate from Richmond Public Schools are prepared for the next step in life — 4 year university, 2 year college, technical/trade school, or industry certification by working with them one-to-one to identify strengths and interests then guide them to the most appropriate opportunity.
- Coordinate college/career opportunities for those who may not have access otherwise by identifying scholarships opportunities, assisting with financial aid and scholarship applications, arranging college tours, matching students with industry mentors, collaborating with college prep and other community organizations, organizing college fairs, corporate and business visits, and more.
Focus Areas
ACTION 2.5 EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The RVA Future team participates in ongoing training and professional development to help them identify and confront our implicit biases to affirm our commitment to ALL students and staff.
ACTION 2.6 UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS
RVA Future partners with local colleges and universities to ensure that ALL RPS students have access to information, resources and programming opportunities. This includes on campus and virtual information sessions and access to scholarship opportunities.
Priority 3 - Safe and Loving School Cultures
ACTION 3.4 RELATIONSHIPS
Positive relationships are the cornerstone of our work. Our team is committed to getting to know students and their families as we work with them in their post-secondary planning.
ACTION 3.6 JOY
RVA Future celebrates and recognizes all of our students' success including but not limited to acceptances to colleges, completion of the FAFSA, employment opportunities and recognition from within their schools and communities.
RVA Future Centers Alignment with Dreams for RPS
Goal # 2 of RPS’ Top Ten Goals
GRADUATION: Increase the graduation rate as well as the percentage of graduates attending a 4-year or 2-year college, entering the workforce in a living wage job, or participating in national service – overall and for each subgroup (race, economic status, IEP status, and ELL status).
Professional Learning
PRIORITY 2 - ACTION 2.4 SKILLED AND SUPPORTED STAFF
The RVA Future Team is a diverse and talented group of individuals who are committed and supported by continuous professional learning opportunities. These opportunities provided by professional organizations and our higher education and workforce partners help us stay up-to-date on best practices and trends in college advising, admissions, financial aid planning and workforce development.
Pursuant to section 23.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, post secondary education and employment data published by the State Council of Higher Education on its website is available to all high school students and their parents/caregivers HERE