Rise Academy

What Rise Academy does

Rise Academy is a nonprofit, tuition-free independent high school serving 60 students in grades 9-12 in Richmond's East End, Virginia. Founded in 2003 as Church Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT), the organization rebranded to Rise Richmond in 2023 and then to Rise Academy in 2024 when the Board of Trustees voted to focus operations on the fully VAIS-accredited high school while retaining a K-8 after-school enrichment program (Rise After School). The school holds full accreditation from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, participates in VISAA Division IV athletics, and was awarded a National Honor Society chapter in 2025.

The academic model combines college-preparatory coursework (honors classes, dual enrollment through Reynolds Community College), vocational and technical education via Rise Labs, and Christian-values-based spiritual programming (weekly chapel, mentorship, a no-phone policy). All students receive a personal Chromebook, take the YouScience career aptitude assessment, and benefit from a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Reported outcomes include a 100% college acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 (16 graduates) and recognition as one of the best private high schools in the Richmond metro area by ABC8 in 2025.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy and government programs rather than tuition. The cost to educate a student is approximately $23,000-$27,000 per year, but families pay only a $200 fee; the gap is funded by individual donors, the Virginia Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Education Improvement Scholarship Program (EIS) tax credits (which provide donors a 65% Virginia state tax credit), and federal National School Lunch Program reimbursements. The school is led by Head of School Dr. Brittany Lopes (since 2024), is governed by an independent Board of Trustees chaired by Mary Coleman, and is operationally co-located with Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church. Implied annual operating budget is approximately $1.4M-$1.6M based on 60 students × per-student cost.

Name

Rise Academy

Legal name

Rise Richmond

Website

https://www.riseacademyrva.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rise Academy is a nonprofit, VAIS-accredited independent high school in Richmond's East End serving 60 students in grades 9-12 tuition-free through donor scholarships and Virginia tax-credit programs, with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio and 100% college acceptance in its Class of 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Secondary education services
• Independent high school
• College preparatory education
• Vocational training programs
• After school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donor Scholarships: The school relies on generous donors who fund full or partial tuition scholarships for students. The cost to educate a student is approximately $23,000 per year, but families only pay a $200 student fee due to donor support.
2. Virginia Income Tax Credits: Donors can receive 65% Virginia state tax credits for qualifying donations through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Education Improvement Scholarship Program (EIS). These credits provide significant tax savings and incentivize larger donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Rise Academy is a tuition-free, accredited independent high school serving approximately 60 students in grades 9-12 in Richmond's East End. The school provides a full college-preparatory curriculum including honors classes, dual enrollment through Reynolds Community College, vocational and career-technical education (Rise Labs), spiritual development programming, and extracurricular athletics and clubs with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. It also operates a separate after-school enrichment program for K-8 students.

Product overview

Rise Academy operates as a unified educational institution offering a single integrated product: an accredited independent high school for grades 9-12. The school provides a comprehensive educational experience combining college-preparatory academics (honors classes, dual enrollment through Reynolds Community College), vocational and career technical education, spiritual development (weekly chapel, religion courses, mentorship), and extracurricular activities (athletics, student clubs). Supporting this core offering is the Rise After School Program serving K-8th graders. All programs are grounded in Christian values and emphasize small class sizes with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, with the mission of cultivating students' God-given potential in Richmond's East End.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rise Academy High School Fully accredited independent high school serving students in grades 9-12 in Richmond's East End. Offers college-preparatory curriculum including honors classes, dual enrollment through Reynolds Community College, vocational education, spiritual development, and extracurricular activities, with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Tuition-free to families through donor scholarships; families pay only a $200 annual student fee.
• Rise After School Program After-school enrichment program serving K-8th grade students from any school in Richmond's East End. Offers homework help, enriching activities, and dinner at a cost of $10 for the entire year. Operates weekdays 3PM-6PM serving approximately 50 students. Approved by the Virginia Department of Education.
• College and Career Preparation Program Comprehensive post-secondary preparation including a required College & Career Advisory class, YouScience career aptitude testing, one-to-one college advising, SAT registration assistance, FAFSA help, college visits and field trips, internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications for high school students.
• Vocational Education / Rise Labs Career and technical education program (Rise Labs) integrated into the high school curriculum, providing students exposure to full-time employment opportunities through work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications aligned with local industry needs.
• Dual Enrollment Program Partnership with Reynolds Community College that allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing early college academic experience.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Second Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond Baptist Church donated book bags and classroom supplies to each student during the Pep & Prep back-to-school event, demonstrating strong community support for the school's mission.
• Carlisle Avenue Baptist ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRise Academy shares campus with Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church (CABC), which houses the school at its current location on Carlisle Avenue.
• VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCU is listed as a community partner, indicating collaborative engagement with the university.
• VACU (Virginia Credit Union)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVACU is listed as a community partner supporting Rise Academy.
• Reynolds Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReynolds Community College provides dual enrollment opportunities, allowing high school students to take college-level courses and earn both high school and college credits simultaneously.
• Faith Covenant Christian FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPastor Mary Gleaton of Faith Covenant Christian Fellowship shared words of inspiration and led prayer at the Coffee & Community Prayer event.
• Thirty-First Street Baptist ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell of Thirty-First Street Baptist Church shared words of inspiration and led prayer at the Coffee & Community Prayer event.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cristo Rey Richmond High School: Cristo Rey Richmond is a faith-based, college-preparatory high school serving low-income families in the Richmond area through a corporate work-study model. Most directly comparable peer: same city, similar mission (college access for underserved students), faith-based, independent school model, small-scale operation.
• KIPP Virginia Public Schools: KIPP Virginia operates public charter schools in the Richmond region with a college-preparatory mission for underserved communities. Comparable in serving low-income East End families and emphasizing college access, though operates as a charter network rather than independent school.
• Veritas School (Richmond): Veritas is a local Richmond independent school offering a classical, college-preparatory curriculum with intentional small size and faith-based orientation. Directly comparable as a nearby small independent school with similar values-driven approach to secondary education.

Broad incumbents

• The Steward School: The Steward School is a well-established JK-12 independent school in the Richmond area with a broader program and larger enrollment. Comparable as a local independent school competitor for families seeking faith-informed private education, though serves a more affluent demographic.
• Collegiate School (Richmond): Collegiate is one of Richmond's premier JK-12 independent schools with extensive resources and a long-standing reputation. Comparable as a local independent school competitor for college-prep families, though operates at significantly larger scale and price point.
• Trinity Episcopal School: Trinity Episcopal is a JK-12 Episcopal independent school in Richmond with a faith-based, college-preparatory orientation. Comparable as a local faith-based independent school competitor serving similar age groups with similar curriculum philosophy.
• St. Christopher's School: St. Christopher's is a prestigious JK-12 independent boys' school in Richmond with extensive facilities and alumni network. Comparable as a local independent school competitor for college-prep families in the same market, though at a much larger scale.

Regional players

• Benedictine College Preparatory: Benedictine is a Catholic, Benedictine-tradition college-preparatory boarding/day school for boys in Richmond. Comparable as a regional faith-based independent school with similar college-prep mission and values-driven approach, though different faith tradition and broader draw.
• Fork Union Military Academy: Fork Union Military Academy is a Virginia-based independent boarding school with college-prep curriculum and structured environment. Comparable as a regional Virginia independent school with similar college-prep focus and residential/structured model.
• Norfolk Academy: Norfolk Academy is a prestigious PK-12 independent school in Hampton Roads with a long history and college-prep orientation. Comparable as a Virginia-based independent school competing for similar college-prep families, though at much larger scale and different geography.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RiseAthleticsVA
• Facebookfacebook.com/RiseAcademyAthletics
• Instagraminstagram.com/riseacademyathletics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rise-academy-rva

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rise Academy