Congrats to Anna Julia Cooper Class of 2025
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Our beautiful community of affection -- parents, families, staff, community partners, and volunteers -- showed up big last week to celebrate our Lions and all their hard work. Ziayona W., pictured below, received the John Henry Award for Effort and First in Class Award for highest GPA from Principal Gilliam. Thank you to all who came out to support, cheer, and love on our Lions. |
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Le'manuel B. John Henry Award for Effort |
| Romiah S. Amanda Gorman Award for English |
| Christopher J. Solomon Award for Improvement |
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Aniylah C. Anna Julia Cooper Award for Citizenship |
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Le'manuel B. John Henry Award for Effort |
Romiah S.
Amanda Gorman Award for English | Christopher J. Solomon Award for Improvement |
Aniylah C.
Anna Julia Cooper Award for Citizenship | |
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| As they transition to high school, AJC alumni will branch out across the city, guided by our Graduate Support Program and our partners at UPRVA. Our grads will go on to attend: Cristo Rey Richmond Rise Academy Maggie Walker High School The Steward School St. Catherine's School St. Christopher's School Trinity Episcopal School
Wherever they're headed, they know they are always welcome and loved here at AJC. Go make your mark, Lions! |
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From holding an instrument for the first time at the beginning of the school year, to confidently playing a selection of songs at the 8th grade graduation ceremony, the progress made by our first-ever middle school band was truly remarkable. Round of applause for their efforts! |
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Our littlest Lions had their time to shine, too. The 4th grade “Movin’ On Up” ceremony, led by our Lower School Principal, Mr. Crane, was packed with families and full of smiles. Students were recognized with teacher awards, along with special shoutouts from our amazing nonprofit partners—Art for the Journey, SwimRVA, and Minds in Motion. The kids wrapped it all up with a choreographed dance they’d been working on with Minds in Motion—and they nailed it! It’s always a joy to be part of uplifting experiences like this—full of moments of celebration, pride, and hope.
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Helping Hands From Across RVA |
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Big thanks to True North, Steelhead, and the Yale RVA Alumni Association for lending a hand here on 29th Street this past month. It means a lot to AJC to be seen and supported by the greater Richmond community.
If you or your workplace are interested in getting involved in a hands-on, project-based way, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Ashley Raggi, at raggia@ajcschool.org. |
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True North Advisors organized a campus cleanup. |
| The Steelhead team distributed healthy snacks. |
| Yale RVA built and repaired playground picnic tables. |
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True North Advisors organized a campus cleanup. |
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The Steelhead team distributed healthy snacks. |
Yale RVA Alumni built and repaired playground picnic tables. |
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In Ms. E’s first grade classroom, creativity and hands-on exploration are part of everyday life. This quarter, students took on a special multi-phase project: designing and building their own imaginary animals using reused and recycled materials. They began by brainstorming, then sculpted with clay, and then—guided by Ms. E and classroom volunteers—brought their creatures to life. They even wrote artist statements to explain their creations. The project concluded with a gallery walk, where guests (teachers and classmates) could admire the students’ work and read their reflections. The pride and imagination on display were a beautiful reminder of the magic that happens when young minds are given the encouragement to bring their ideas to life.
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| SOPHIA 2025 by Graezlyn "Gigi" C. Materials Used: PVC pipe, fabric, wood, paint sticks, shell, gears from a clock, cotton, hot glue, screw, sewing needles, sandpaper, drill
Artist Statement: "I wanted to make something fancy. I like fancy things and I like pink. I really liked putting the cotton inside the body to make it fat." |
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| STRIPER 2025 by Khaloni Milan H. Materials Used: Buttons, metal, cake plate, rope, twist ties, felt, pipe cleaners, hot glue Artist Statement: "I wanted to make a butterfly because I knew I was going to miss the ones that grew up in our classroom." |
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Hope Grows Lower School Expansion |
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Have you heard? The AJC family is growing! To serve 82 more children in K-5th grades, we are building a larger Lower School complete with a gym and cafeteria/multipurpose space. We broke ground on this exciting project on May 29th and we're hearing the doors will open Summer of 2026. To watch a recap of this momentous occasion click the link below. |
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Celebrating AJC Class of 2021 |
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This year’s high school graduates have shown remarkable persistence and determination. With 96% graduating on time and 22 out of 26 (that’s 85%) accepted to four-year or community colleges, our alumni continue to show what’s possible with hard work, self-confidence, and support from their community. Backed by unwavering guidance from our Graduate Support team and partners at UPRVA, the Class of 2021 AJC alumni have been admitted to:
Hollins University Howard University
J. Sargeant Reynolds Johnson & Wales University Longwood University
Loyola University (full ride—$250,000 in scholarships!) Norfolk State University North Carolina Central Old Dominion University Radford University St. Vincent College |
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And perhaps no one says it better than Rockira Harris, a Trinity Episcopal School graduate and future Howard Bison: "What I’ve learned is this:
Adversity doesn’t define you — your resilience, your strength, your ability to stand up again —
that’s what shapes you.
I am more than my trauma.
I am more than a demographic.
I am Rockira Harris." |
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Students vs. Staff Basketball Game |
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During the last week of school, all our students and staff came together for our beloved end-of-year Student vs. Staff basketball game—and let’s just say, the gym was rockin’. In true tradition, the staff took home the win, but the real victory was all the laughter, energy, and school spirit that filled every corner of the gym. A fun way to wrap up the year! |
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Greatest Writing Contest EVER |
Congrats to our winning authors |
1st Place, Poetry: "First Night" by Aniylah C. |
1st Place, Art Inspired Poetry: "What Are You Waiting For?" by Romiah S. |
1st Place, Overall: "Rainfall" by Makhi D. |
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Dear Lord, thank you for allowing us to see another day of life, health, hope, and opportunity. Thank you for the chance to grow and be the best we can be. Thank you for giving us the chance to have a full middle school experience. Dear Lord, we ask you to watch over our summers and protect our lives as we step up out and away from AJC. Thank you for being in us and with us. |
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In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. |
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Want to get involved? There are many ways to support our students! |
Thanks for all the love, and happy summer! |
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