RTA - Richmond Hebrew Day School

Executive Functioning Starts Here.

Even as one school year comes to a close, RTA faculty are already preparing for the next. Today, teachers participated in professional development with executive functioning expert Mary Margaret Ryan, formerly of Collegiate School, exploring practical strategies to help students strengthen skills such as organization, planning, self-regulation, and independent learning.

We are excited to continue partnering with Mary Margaret as she works with our faculty to further integrate executive functioning skills into the student experience at RTA.

And that’s a wrap!

From field trips and performances to projects, celebrations, competitions, and countless moments of discovery, it’s been a year full of learning, leadership, creativity, and growth.

Thank you to our teachers, administrators, staff, students, families, and supporters for making the 2025–2026 school year one to remember. See you next year, RTA!

What was the best part of kindergarten? What did students learn this year? What are they excited about next?

Hear the answers directly from our kindergarteners in this special end-of-year podcast with RTA kindergarten educator, Mrs. Michal Lipp.

Listen here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ltNXqrE9ywsayJNzMRgim2Ql_CQh-Doj/view?usp=drivesdk

There is something powerful about a room filled with people working toward a shared vision.

At this year’s Joint Annual Meeting, leaders and supporters from RTA, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Jewish Family Services, Richmond Jewish Foundation, and Beth Sholom came together to celebrate the partnerships that strengthen Jewish life in Richmond. The evening included the installation of RTA’s new Board of Directors and a celebration of the many individuals whose leadership, collaboration, and commitment help our community flourish.

Mazel tov to RTA’s 8th grade graduates!

A highlight of every RTA graduation is hearing from each member of the graduating class. This year, every student took the stage to reflect on their journey, sharing memories, lessons learned, and the experiences that shaped them during their years at RTA. Each graduate was also honored with an award recognizing a Torah personality whose character, values, and strengths they embody.

Please join us in wishing the Class of 2026 continued success as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.

From idea to impact.

This year, RTA’s IMPACT Club spent months brainstorming, planning, and bringing a community service project to life. Students decided to host an arts and crafts fair benefiting the Richmond SPCA, reached out to local artists for donations, organized the event, and welcomed shoppers to their fundraiser, ultimately raising more than $1,000 for animals in need.

Yesterday, students delivered their donation in person and toured the Richmond SPCA, seeing firsthand the impact of their hard work. An incredible example of student initiative, teamwork, and compassion in action.

It was wonderful to see the RTA community come together this morning at our Donor and Volunteer Appreciation and End-of-Year Celebration at historic Main Street Station.

The program featured reflections on the year, recognition of dedicated community leaders, heartfelt farewells to cherished members of the RTA family as they prepare to make aliyah, and special tributes to volunteers and board members whose service has helped strengthen our school and community. We were especially honored to hear from Pauline Carlton, former teacher of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, and to conclude the morning with a moving presentation by parent and instructor Ilana Lessin and student Tova Lessin.

Each attendee received a copy of Rachel Goldberg-Polin's When I See You Again, a moving memoir that speaks to faith, resilience, and the enduring bonds that connect the Jewish people.

Thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, families, and friends for your partnership and support throughout the year. Together, we continue to build a vibrant future for RTA-Richmond Hebrew Day School.

Snapshots from kindergarten at RTA!

Featured here: students gardening outdoors, transforming recyclables into works of art, exploring the wonders of Maymont Nature Center, and investigating fascinating objects in Mrs. Lipp’s Magnificent Mini Museum of Oddities & Curiosities.

Hands-on, creative, and curiosity-driven learning in action.

Turning Jewish values into meaningful action, RTA’s female upper middle school students partnered with JCFR’s Dignity Grows initiative by visiting the Federation office to pack hygiene totes filled with feminine hygiene and personal care products for those experiencing period poverty in the Richmond community.

Values in action.

History came to life today at Monticello!

RTA’s 2nd graders spent the day exploring, asking questions, and connecting their classroom learning to the world around them.