The Academy@
Virginia Randolph (AVR/PACE)

Student Life at “The School on Mountain Road”

~ Past and Present

Durable Skills Focus for this Lesson - 🔗

Communication

Collaboration

Critical Thinking

Creative Thinking

Grade Level - 8th Grade (English)
SOL/Standards

8.W.1 Modes and Purposes for Writing: (A) Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or to alter an existing text, using well-structured event sequences, precise words and phrases, and transitional words to develop the characters, convey sequence, and capture the action.

8.W.3 Usage and Mechanics: Revise writing for clarity of content, word choice, sentence variety, and transition among paragraphs. (B) Self-and peer-edit writing for capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, and Standard English

8. C Students develop effective oral communication and collaboration skills to build a community of learners that process, understand, and interpret content together.

8.C.1 Communication, Listening, and Collaboration: (A) Facilitate and contribute to sustained collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade eight topics and texts.

About the Learning Experience

Virginia Estelle Randolph: A Legacy of Education

Virginia Estelle Randolph was a pioneering African American educator who began her teaching career in Henrico County, Virginia, in 1894 at the one-room Mountain Road School. Despite the challenging conditions of the time, Randolph's dedication to education and her innovative teaching methods left a lasting impact on her students and the community. Through the years, the Mountain Road School evolved, overcoming numerous obstacles to become what is known today as "The Academy at Virginia Randolph." This transformation reflects the enduring spirit of Randolph's commitment to education and her belief in the power of learning to uplift and empower individuals.

Students Reflect on the Past and Present

As part of their LifeReady ’25 experience, students in PACE (Program for Academic and Career Empowerment) researched the life and times of Virginia E. Randolph. They delved into the history of the Mountain Road School, exploring the humble beginnings and the challenges faced by Randolph and her students. This research allowed them to gain a deeper understanding of the school's historical significance and the impact of Randolph's work. In contrast, students reflected on their current educational experiences. They created diary entries that recalled the early days of the school and compared them to the present-day impact on their lives. These entries highlighted the similarities and differences between the two eras, emphasizing the continuity of small class sizes and personalized learning.

Bringing History to Life with Gen AI

To complement their diary entries, students used the Gen AI feature of Adobe Express to create images that visualized the past and present through their eyes. This creative exercise allowed them to bring history to life, illustrating the school's evolution and Virginia Estelle Randolph's enduring legacy. Through their research and creative projects, students at The Academy at Virginia Randolph not only honored the memory of Virginia E. Randolph but also gained a deeper appreciation for the educational opportunities they have today. The school's commitment to small group settings and personalized learning continues to empower students, just as Randolph's innovative teaching methods did over a century ago.

The Academy at Virginia Randolph: A Modern Educational Experience

Today, The Academy at Virginia Randolph continues to honor the legacy of its namesake by providing students with a supportive and enriching educational environment. The school offers the PACE Program which focuses on helping students achieve their academic and career goals through personalized instruction and small group settings.

When the project was introduced to me, I was excited to participate, because I knew I’d learn information about Virginia Randolph that I didn’t know. I’ve learned that Virginia Randolph taught unprivileged Black students and educated them. She taught students practical skills such as gardening, cooking, sewing, cleaning, nursing, and salesmanship. ~N Burchett

I’ve learned about Ms. Randolph’s story and how she started the Mountain Road School. She worked so hard to educate Black children and teach them life skills. I used Adobe Express to generate AI images, and this has been lots of fun. ~Y. Gonzalez

Coaching this exceptional group of students on our project has had a profound impact, not only on the students themselves but also on the coaches, in numerous significant ways. Most notably, our collaborative efforts have fostered stronger bonds within the entire group. This collaboration has encouraged trust, respect, and a sense of community among our team members. The students experienced an increase in confidence, both from their selection for the project and from completing it. Additionally, they acquired essential skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management. These skills are vital not only in an academic setting but also in their future careers and daily lives. Collaborating on this meaningful project has created an exciting and supportive learning environment that enhances engagement, skill development, ownership, understanding, confidence, creativity, and interpersonal relationships. ~ K. Cooke