Back-to-school season was extra special this year as Head of School, Mike Maruca, marked his seventeenth and final “first day of school” at AJC. True to form, Mr. Maruca approached it just like any other: greeting students at the door with fist bumps, popping into classrooms to check in on teachers with his trademark “You good?”, and lightening the day with witty banter.

Our 2025–2026 Middle School motto — Imagine. Believe. Achieve. — perfectly reflects Mike's leadership over the years. Mike imagined a school where every child could learn in a safe, loving environment. He believed in our students' God-given potential — and in the support of the greater Richmond community — and he achieved something remarkable: growing AJC from 25 students in a two-story house to more than 200 across two school buildings, with a Lower School expansion on the horizon.

With hearts full of gratitude and excitement for our growth ahead, our AJC family kicks off a transformative year. We look forward to sharing it all with you -- the community who makes it all possible. 

First Grade Teacher, Amaya Doswell

Ms. Amaya Doswell first connected with AJC as an RPS Title I Reading teacher in our Lower School. She quickly made a name for herself with her passion for early literacy and her ability to connect with students. 

Amaya says her journey to teaching began when she was an elementary student herself, watching the adventures of Ms. Frizzle on PBS's The Magic School Bus. “I already had a love for science, and after seeing Ms. Frizzle I knew teaching was what I wanted to do,” she says. “I love the many wonders that kids have. And driving the bus as we go on our little adventures here at AJC is a total plus!”

Amaya earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from VCU in 2020 and her Master's of Teaching in 2022. Her teaching style is rooted in curiosity and flexibility. “I love learning, and that’s reflected in the way I teach,” she explains. She especially loves teaching science and encourages students to ask questions, explore, and find their voices. 

Fall Sports In Full Swing

UPCOMING VOLLEYBALL 

October 15 @ 7:00 pm

Volleyball Match vs. Collegiate

Playoff dates are TBD

All matches are played at

Richmond Volleyball Club

Stonebridge

200 Karl Linn Drive

N. Chesterfield

Court #18

UPCOMING FOOTBALL

September 30 @ 5:00 pm 

Benedictine

12829 River Rd.

October 8 @ 3:00 pm

St. Christopher's School 

711 St Christopher's Rd.

October 22 @ 3:30 pm

St. Christopher's School

711 St Christopher's Rd.

October 29 @ 4:30 pm

Benedictine

12829 River Rd

Jill Hunter, pictured here as she passes the gavel to incoming Board Chair, Fleet Wallace.

Jill Sivertsen Hunter has led Anna Julia Cooper School’s Board of Trustees with vision, grace, and deep commitment since 2017. From the start, she has been one of our greatest champions—spreading the word about AJC, welcoming new friends through our doors, and reminding us to keep students at the center of everything we do.

As Board Chair, Jill guided us through not one, but two strategic plans. She helped shepherd the construction of our Middle School and our new Lower School, which is underway. She played a central role in the capital campaigns to support those projects. She brought clarity to hard conversations, made space for every voice, and inspired us to dream bigger while working together to make those dreams real.

Jill’s leadership has always been rooted in care—for students, teachers, and staff—and in her steady belief in what’s possible. We are profoundly grateful for Jill’s eight years of service and vision. Her impact will be felt in the life of the school for years to come.

Although Jill is passing the gavel as Board Chair, she will continue to actively serve on the Board. Stepping into the role of Chair is Fleet Wallace, who has been a dedicated Board member since 2021. Fleet’s thoughtful leadership and commitment to AJC will help guide the school into an exciting next chapter.

Thank you, Jill—and welcome, Fleet!

Class of 2025 AJC grads, Aniylah and Alisha began their high school journey at St. Catherine’s School this Fall. Pictured below walking to class, the two are finding their way in a new community. Aniylah shared, “I LOVE my school so far. The best part is the people—they always have a smile on their faces, and I can always go to them for help.” She added the food is delicious too. With nearly all their classes together and plenty of opportunities to get involved, both Aniylah and Alisha are off to a wonderful start at a school that already feels like the right fit. We are so grateful for the support of our friends at UPRVA and St. Catherine’s for their partnership in making opportunities like this possible for our students.

Grad sighting at St. Catherine's: Aniylah and Alisha heading into school for the day, twinning.

Destiny and Katye take a moment for a selfie.

You know that feeling when an old friend pops by and suddenly the room lights up? That’s exactly what happened when Destiny B. (Class of 2016) stopped by the Middle School office to request an application for her niece. Laughter, hugs, and a little trip down memory lane ensued.

Catching up with School Administrator, Katye Snipes, Destiny reminisced about her AJC days and told stories of Mr. Maruca at her front door, knocking persistently until she got out of bed. Now she hopes her niece—a first grader—gets to experience the same “family feel” she loved at AJC.

Destiny is currently working toward her LPN at Bryant and Stratton College. We think she’d make a pretty amazing Lower School nurse someday.

Last Friday we hosted our most well-attended Fish Fry yet -- bringing together hundreds of students, graduates, families, and neighbors. Guests enjoyed good food, fun music, and gathered around our cheerleaders as they showed their team spirit. Adding a little friendly competition to the mix, Mr. Maruca challenged a couple students to a pull-up contest (we’ll let you guess who won).

We were grateful to be joined by several community partners, including SCAN, Family Lifeline, Virginia Credit Union, Richmond Health Department, and Youth Corporation, Inc., all of whom helped connect families with valuable resources. The Fish Fry continues to grow alongside our school, and this year’s event was a beautiful reflection of our mission to be a place where people find and experience joy. 

At AJC, mealtime is more than just food—it’s another important moment of connection with caring adults, thanks to our kind kitchen crew. Food Services Coordinator J’Nique Craddock, Kiara Austin in the Middle School, and Raymond Robinson in the Lower School, serve up great meals every day alongside laughter and encouragement. They embody our mission, setting students up for success in their own unique ways—through nourishing food and thoughtful attention for every child. 

AJC's mission states: We believe Jesus is the fullest expression of God’s love. One way this shows up in the life of the school is through Chapel service. Each week, students and staff gather for Chapel in our cafeteria spaces to reflect, pray for one another, and receive communion. Middle School services are led by our Chaplain, Rev. Becky McDaniel (pictured below), and our student vestry. Lower School services are led by teachers and staff. Both conclude with “shout-outs,” when teachers recognize students for showing up as their best selves. 

We also begin each school year by signing our Honor Code Pledge -- promising to treat others as we wish to be treated and to help one another do the same. Students recently lined up to sign their names to the pledge, which now hangs in our halls as a reminder of our commitment to ourselves and one another.

Below is a selection from the Class of 2025 8th grade speeches. These short anecdotes speak to the AJC experience and shed light on what our grads will remember most from our community of affection.

Send classroom supplies from our Amazon Wishlist.

Contact Ashley Raggi at raggia@ajcschool.org to learn how you

can make a difference by volunteering.

Thank you for believing in our mission to Love, Educate, and Uplift the students of

Richmond's East End.