Henrico School Bell: Sept. 4, 2026
A weekly look at some of what’s happening in public and private schools throughout Henrico County.
Greenwood Elementary School — Mr. Ross is returning to Greenwood with the Wise Guyz Lunch Program after working with Greenwood students for the past three years. The six-week lunchtime prevention and mentoring program for male elementary students is a partnership involving Henrico Prevention Services, Henrico County Public Schools and the Henrico Office of Family Engagement. The program received a 2026 National Association of Counties Achievement Award this summer.
Greenwood also launched a Student Advisory Committee for students in grades 1-5, with representatives scheduled to be selected Sept. 9, while its first-quarter morning clubs begin Sept. 8. Students in grades 3-5 tried out during the past week for cheerleading, Advanced Drumline, ORFF Ensemble and Advanced Dance.
The school’s morning announcements have a 1990s theme this year, incorporating retro trivia and references to Reading Rainbow, Friends and Cribs while reinforcing the school’s Gator values.
Ridge Elementary School — Ridge will hold its first-ever “Ridge Night” at a Richmond Flying Squirrels game Sept. 10. Families will be able to purchase tickets in a designated Ridge section.
Twin Hickory Elementary School — Registration opened Sept. 3 for Twin Hickory’s PTA-sponsored fall clubs. The PTA’s extracurricular offerings include Bike Club, Chess Club, Running Club and Cheer Club.
Maybeury Elementary School — Maybeury’s PTA plans to begin gardening lessons this month, while the school also will hold ESL Night Sept. 10 and Hispanic Heritage Night Sept. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Later this fall, Maybeury’s calendar includes MayBOOry Oct. 24 and STREAM Night Nov. 19.
Fairfield Middle School — Fairfield’s STEAM in SPORTS Innovation Lab is continuing a Digital Wellness initiative designed to help students and families make informed choices involving screen time, youth sports, STEAM learning and career paths.
Elko Middle School — Elko is preparing a production of High School Musical. The school also has identified expansion of extracurricular opportunities that foster creativity, leadership and collaboration as one of its goals for the new school year.
Pocahontas Middle School — Pocahontas held tryouts during the past week for its competitive esports teams, with Super Smash Bros. tryouts Aug. 31 and Mario Kart tryouts Sept. 2. The Pocahontas PTA also will hold sixth-grade “Hawk Hangouts” after school Sept. 10 and Sept. 14, and theater auditions will be held soon for Frozen Jr.
Hermitage High School — Hermitage seniors had an opportunity Sept. 2 to take the ASVAB as part of the school’s early-year career exploration activities. The school also is encouraging seniors to attend the Sept. 16 HCPS Life-Ready Expo, where they can explore career, college, military and apprenticeship pathways.
Godwin High School — Godwin’s PTSO has identified repairing or replacing the auditorium curtain and making improvements to “The Cave” among its priorities for the 2026-27 school year. During the previous school year, the organization purchased a second golf cart for school security and new library furniture and helped bring about the installation of a hybrid traffic beacon for students crossing Pump Road.
Henrico High School/Center for the Arts — The Center for the Arts will hold its first event of the school year Sept. 8, when Friends of the Center for the Arts hosts its annual Ice Cream Social beginning at 7 p.m.
The Steward School — Steward’s Middle School was named a 2026 School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education Aug. 31. The program recognizes schools that exemplify best practices in middle-level education and evaluates them using research-based criteria tailored to young adolescents.
Upper School student Braden Smith also organized Steward’s Sept. 2 Welcome-Back Cookout as his Leadership Program capstone project. The event was designed to help returning students reconnect, welcome new students and build school spirit.
Environmental honors
Twenty Henrico public schools earned recognition in the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ 2025-26 Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program, which recognizes schools for environmental education efforts involving hands-on learning, environmental stewardship and experiences beyond the classroom:
• Longdale and Varina elementary schools earned recognition for the first year.
• Chamberlayne, Pinchbeck, Seven Pines, Shady Grove, Jackson Davis, R.C. Longan and Tuckahoe elementary schools and Henrico Virtual Academy earned recognition for a second year.
• Pemberton, Glen Allen and Montrose elementary schools and Elko Middle School earned recognition for a third year; Fairfield Middle School earned recognition for a fourth year.
• Maybeury, Donahoe and Greenwood elementary schools and Highland Springs High School earned recognition for a fifth year.
• Twin Hickory Elementary School earned the distinction for an 11th year, the longest streak among the Henrico schools recognized for 2025-26.
