On June 30, students, families, trustees, supporters, and friends of Anna Julia Cooper School gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of our beautiful new Lower School building at 2000 N. 29th Street. It was a joyful day as we marked a milestone years in the making.
Thanks to the incredible team at Kjellstrom + Lee Construction, we went from groundbreaking to grand opening in 13 months—just in time for our summer session, when we welcomed additional sections of both second and third grades, bringing our enrollment to 230 students.
We were honored to hear remarks from Richmond City Council President Cynthia Newbille, members of our Board of Trustees, Lower School Principal Michael Crane, and Mike Maruca, who closed the celebration on the final day of his 17-year tenure as Head of School.
Thank you to everyone whose generosity, partnership, and belief in our students made this day—and our continued growth—possible. As we look ahead to all that is possible, one thing is clear: Hope Grows at Anna Julia Cooper School!
While Mike Maruca’s leadership at Anna Julia Cooper School has come to a close, the mission he launched continues to grow. As we celebrate this exciting new chapter, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to read the news article below, about Mike’s vision, dedication, and perseverance—and the journey that brought us to this moment.
AJC Founding Head of School, Mike Maruca. Photo Credit: Ned Oliver
