Patrick Henry School of Science & Arts

In Richmond's history, Richmond Public Schools approved PHSSA's charter application. This made Richmond Public Schools the first and the fourth in the Commonwealth. PHSSA announced the hiring of its first principal in April 2010. We also hired 12 teachers. The Woodland Heights Baptist Church Education Center welcomed PHSSA’s first class of 149 students on August 11, 2010. Over the years, PHSSA has advanced. Our school moved from its temporary location at 3511 Semmes Avenue to its permanent building in January 2012. Our kitchen and cafeteria were fully funded by the Mary Morton Parson Foundation. Many upgrades had to be made so that PHSSA building could be occupied. It was a tough task to make a building nearly 100 years old compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We have renovated Phase I and added four new classrooms. We added four modular classrooms because of expansion. We have also restored and replaced every window in the building to make it a more sustainable and energy-efficient academic environment. Our final phase will be renovations on the third floor, which will have 10 classrooms. PHSSA's enrollment has increased from 149 in 2010 to 330 today. The 2020-21 classes are at full capacity, with waiting lists for all grades and representation from all nine city school districts. Language arts, mathematics, science, and history teach the project-based curriculum in classrooms, the school gardens, and Forest Hill Park.

Phillips Academy Public Charter School (PHSSA) reviews appreciate the warm atmosphere and close-knit community. Both parents and students commend the faculty, who go above and beyond to make children feel loved, cared for, and supported. Many students also appreciate humanities and the arts approach to their curriculum, including dedicating time specifically for artistic and outdoor pursuits. The parent involvement is another plus, showing how much involvement is typical at the school and becomes a community. The emphasis on the park and woods as a teaching tool is another positive, reviewers like the natural urban backdrop of the outdoors. However, one reviewer noted that 8th grade became tough for their child, with more homework and easier classes at other schools later. Parents looking to choose the school over another angle have to keep in mind a possible transition to accommodate these other schools in the future. Overall, relentless parents can ignore minor flaws and are overwhelmingly positive about this beautiful , supportive community for their kids' education.