Richmond Schools preview ‘Passion for Learning’ plan, outline Maury Street technical campus and RHSA pathways

Richmond School Board members received an update Monday on Dreams for RPS action 1.2, a “Passion for Learning” initiative that aims to give high school students career-aligned pathways and citywide access to technical programs.

The division’s presenter, Mr. Hossettler (RPS staff member), opened the presentation: “I'm excited to share an update on Dreams for RPS, specifically action 1.2, passion for learning.” He said the plan ties pathway themes at each comprehensive high school to labor-market forecasts and to feedback gathered from students, families, staff and community stakeholders.

The plan centers on three elements: career-themed pathways at comprehensive high schools, a technical education campus at the former Altria property on Maury Street, and readiness measures the division will track through a “3 E’s” framework that follows postsecondary enrollment, employment or public service. "So passion for learning is going to set us up to support our students to have that choice filled life," Hossettler said.

RPS described Maury Street (identified in the presentation as "23, 25 Maury Street") as a technical education campus meant to host lab spaces and CTE courses that may not fit at landlocked or space-constrained high schools. The division said it has begun a feasibility study and plans a phased design, procurement and implementation approach to allow the campus to evolve with industry demand.

The presentation included draft pathway models for Richmond High School for the Arts (RHSA). RPS said RHSA will keep arts instruction at its core while offering multiple levels of engagement — from exploratory arts classes through multiyear intensive pathways with summer capstones — and that the division is coordinating the design work with the academics and fine arts offices.

Board members asked about enrollment choice and transportation. Miss Burke (School Board member) pressed whether students would be able to attend non‑neighborhood schools by preference and whether transit would support open enrollment; Hossettler replied that the intent is to expand access through the open‑enrollment system while preserving neighborhood seats and that transportation options will be studied with city partners. “We’re excited to model and figure out what that's gonna look like and partner with folks in the city and elsewhere,” he said.

Board members also asked whether Maury Street would duplicate existing programming at the Richmond Technical Center; Hossettler said the district is exploring how to leverage the current technical center during the Maury Street transition and that Maury Street’s approximately 290,000 square foot footprint could host additional or different functions. He said an RFP for design and construction will follow the feasibility work.

RPS said it will form industry advisory groups (a Richmond and Capital Region business leaders group and a planned arts advisory group), pilot classes and “pop‑up” experiences beginning this fall, and add a Passion for Learning section to the Dreams for RPS web pages. No formal motion or funding action was taken at the work session; the item was a staff update and discussion.

Board members asked the division to return with more detail about evidence‑based models, teacher preparation and how the district will avoid bifurcation between specialty pathways and general education. Hossettler said RPS has discussed models and concerns with other districts and higher‑education partners, and that staff are continuing outreach and planning work before pilots begin.

The presentation concluded with an invitation to community engagement sessions and an assurance that RPS will continue to refine programming, implementation timelines and transportation modeling as details are developed.