A Season of Love
Dear Dominion Ridge Academy Families,
As the winter chill sets in, many in our community are struggling to stay warm, fed, and sheltered. February is the season of love—a time to show kindness and compassion to those around us, especially those in need. At Dominion Ridge Academy, we believe in serving others, and this February 22, 2025, we have a special opportunity to put that belief into action.
We invite you and your family to join us as we walk together in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) to support HARTS (Hope And Rest Temporary Shelter), a local organization that provides warmth, food, and hope to those in need. This event unites communities across the country to raise funds for shelters like HARTS, which rely on grants and donations to operate.
By walking as a team, we can demonstrate love in action and support those experiencing homelessness right here in Front Royal, VA. With temperatures dropping to below-freezing next week, our efforts can truly make a difference.
Come be a part of Team DRA as we unite with students, parents, and staff to serve our community! We'll gather at First Baptist Church, 14 W. 1st Street, at 4:30 PM. Don’t forget to wear your DRA spirit wear!
Support & Share The Mission – Donate Here!
Your participation, donations, and prayers are greatly appreciated.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:35-40
Carrie J. Hill, Ed.S.
Principal
Dual Enrollment Coordinator
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events:
2/17 Presidents Day- No School
2/21- Spring & Basketball Picture Day
Looking Ahead:
3/13- End of Q3
3/19-3/20- Science Fair
From the Office
Will We Have to Make Up Snow Days?
This question comes up every time we have an unusual number of snow days, so let’s clear it up: Most likely, no—unless we get significantly more snow!
Here's why: Accredited schools must meet either 180 school days or 990 instructional hours. At DRA, our school days are longer than average—nearly 7 hours instead of the standard 6.5. This schedule not only works well for us but also provides additional instructional time.
For the 2024-2025 school year, we have:
182 school days
1,266.5 instructional hours (counting full 7-hour days and a few shorter ones)
Even with a traditional 6.5-hour calculation, we still exceed the requirement with 1,006.5 hours.
Since we rarely have half-days, we maximize our instructional time, keeping us well above the required hours. Additionally, thanks to Governor Youngkin’s “State of Emergency” declaration, we don’t need to make up any snow days at this point. If make-up days do become necessary, we will begin with the start of Spring Break.
Ultimately, God is in control of both the weather and our schedule. Hopefully, this helps answer any concerns you may have may have!
Pre-Order your YEARBOOK today!
Athletics
🏹ARCHERY
Feb. 15th- Cupid Classic Tournament- Unity Reed High School
Mar. 8th- State Tournament- Doswell VA
🏀 BASKETBALL
Feb 14th- The last game of the season is away at Sacred Heart at 4:30 pm (Weather permitting) This game will be rescheduled for the following week if for some reason this game is not played on Feb 14.
Address for Away Game: 110 Keating Dr, Winchester, VA 22601
Basketball Pictures will be next Friday, Feb 21st. Please make sure to remember to bring extra clothes to change into after the picture. You may wear your jersey to school next Friday for the picture.
Basketball Conditioning will begin on March 5th, 2025 from 3:30-5:30 pm. It will be every Wednesday after school. Please make sure you bring a water bottle and are prepared to work on conditioning/fundamentals to improve your basketball ability
Please wash and return jerseys to Coach Gibson by February 21st after Team Picture on that day!
🏈Flag Football
Stay tuned for information regarding flag football in next week’s newsletter. For any questions or interest please contact Coach Gibson directly at jgibson@dominionridgek12.com.
Calendar - Changes to practices will be communicated via this email group, however feel free to visit our school calendar for confirmation. https://dominionridgeacademy.com/calendar/
High School- Announcement Board
Here is another local volunteer opportunity to rack up your service hours! Earn hours by walking with DRA or by registering as a volunteer at the event using the link below. We encourage you to share the DRA Team's fundraising link with your friends and family. This a great way to be the hand and feet of Jesus to our community!
Click here to register as a volunteer: https://cnoy.com/volunteer
2025 Spring Senior Missions Trip
We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for our senior class: a senior missions trip. This trip is a chance for us to step outside our comfort zones and make a tangible impact on communities in need. We’ll be serving, building relationships, and spreading hope through the Appalachia Service Project, helping to rebuild from Hurricane Helene. Not only will this trip make a difference in the lives of others, but it will also deepen our understanding of the world and strengthen the bonds among our senior class. It’s about leaving a legacy of compassion and service as we wrap up this chapter of our lives. I hope you'll consider joining us on this life-changing journey by giving using the link below.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..." 1 Peter 4:10
Now Open! 2025/26 Laurel Ridge Foundation Scholarships
The priority date is March 31st for the first round of awarding—applications will still be accepted after this date passes.
The application takes less than 10 minutes and automatically applies students to the scholarships they are eligible for.
Greetings from Virginia Tech!
Applications for Virginia Tech's 9th annual Black College Institute (BCI) are now live! We invite high-achieving and intellectually curious rising high school juniors and seniors to apply and participate in this summer academic leadership program!
This year's BCI will be offered fully in person at Virginia Tech's main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. This residential program will offer one session for rising juniors and two sessions for rising seniors.
Current sophomores are encouraged to apply for the rising juniors session taking place June 29- July 02, 2025.
Current juniors are encouraged to apply for one of the rising seniors sessions taking place June 15- June 18, 2025, OR June 22- June 25, 2025. You can only participate in one of the two sessions.
All programs are FREE of cost to students!
Application closes: March 21, 2025
Notification of acceptance: April 25, 2025
Confirm attendance: May 09, 2025
Unofficial Transcripts due: May 09, 2025
Benefits of attending BCI*:
Virginia Tech application fee waiver
BCI T-shirt
Peer mentorship, networking, and friendships
College admissions advising
Overview of financing college attendance/higher education
Exposure to the African American student experience at Virginia Tech
Live Q & A with the seven Virginia Tech Colleges
Completion of an interactive and education group project focused on the African-American experience.
*All benefits will be extended to those who successfully complete the program.
Virginia Tech Partners Participating:
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, Pamplin College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, College of Natural Resources and Environment, College of Science, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and other campus departments and local organizations.
For more information about the Black College Institute, visit vt.edu/admissions/black-college-institute or email bci@vt.edu.
Menah Pratt, JD, PhD
Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Vice Provost for Inclusion and Diversity
Professor, School of Education
Kayla Nichols
Interim Associate Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
From the Kitchen
People LOVE Rada's Tomato Slicer so much it has become WORLD FAMOUS! Give it a try for yourself. Every Rada purchase made using the link below helps our group! THANK YOU!
There will be heat ups allowed and the regular options of chicken nuggets, corn dog and PBJ will be available to order.
Please send a refillable water bottle in with your child. There are two filtered water fountains on-site for their convenience.
Please have daily lunch orders in by 9 AM for same-day ordering. Feel free to email bherndon@dominionridgek12.com if you will miss this deadline. Place your order here.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND HEAT-UP LUNCHES IN GLASS CONTAINERS
New with tag sample Tommy Hilfiger clothes for sale in the Finance office
Contact Mrs. Knapp at hknapp@dominionridgek12.com
2 Cotton Tshirts - YXL - Royal blue, black - $8 ea
5 Gym Shirts - AS, AL, (5) YM - $10 ea
1 A-line skirt - Y(12) - Khaki - $ 25 ea
Pleated skirts - Y(12) - Navy, Khaki - $25 ea
Girls Khaki pants - Y(12) - $20
Girls light blue long-sleeve blouse - Y(14) - $18
Girls white short sleeve polo - YM(8) - $10
Little Girls navy short sleeve polo dress - 6 - $25
Boys Khaki pants - Y straight(10) - $15
Boys Navy pants - Y reg(14) - $25
Bowing t-shirts - YS(red), AS(gray) - 10 ea
3 short sleeve polo shirts/no logo - 2 Royal blue YS(5-6), white YL(10/12), Black YL(14/16)-$15 ea
Black long-sleeve polo shirt/no logo - YL(14/16) - $15
