about nextup
Our Vision
Richmond’s youth will thrive in school, at home and in the community.
Studies show that structured Out-of-School Time (OST) programs make a positive difference in the lives of students and their families, and in the communities where they live and grow. Quality programs designed to offer experiences that supplement and support school-based education often lead to better school attendance, behavior and course performance. Also, quality OST programs provide a safe place to receive academic support and develop interests, passions and social skills.
We believe that the better coordinated our community’s efforts are, the more students can access programs, and the more students can be served, the stronger our community will be.
Our Mission
Our mission at NextUp is to provide all Richmond middle school students with access to coordinated, high-quality learning experiences beyond the classroom.
We believe that when students participate in high-quality out-of-school time (OST) programs, they benefit academically, physically and socially.
What We Do
Access
Provided 185 hours of expanded learning time as well as wrap-around health & human services for 727 middle school youth at Henderson, Boushall, Lucille Brown, Elkhardt-Thompson and Albert Hill Middle Schools through a coordinated afterschool system of 58 local youth organizations.
Participation
On average, NextUp students participated in 30.25 days of quality program during the school year. Also, 47% of NextUp students participated for 30 days or more out of 66 total days offered. Research says students who participate in after school programs for 30 days or more have better outcomes than non-participants. Since 2014 we’ve observed this trend and saw a statistically significant difference in school outcomes of students who participated in afterschool programs for more than 30 days.
Quality
In partnership with United Way and VCU’s Mary and Frances Youth Center, NextUp sponsored 6 quality assessment and improvement services for 6 organizations and 4 school sites. A total of 34 instructors participated in trainings offered by VCU’s Mary and Frances Youth Center. The Average Instructional Quality Score for YPQI sponsored organizations and sites was 2.39.
A Day in the Life of Nextup RVA
A coordinated system of expanded learning for middle schools.
NextUp isn’t one single program or in one specific building. Rather, it’s a coordinated network of providers neatly managed under one system, giving students better access to quality enchrichment that puts them on a path to success. For a minimum of two days every week, students can participate in activities based on their interests.
Students continue learning beyond the bell through hands-on experiences, creativity and fun.
Around 6:30, all programs dismiss and buses take every child home safely.
Site Coordinators
Site Coordinators work with NextUp to organize providers and students and coordinate activities with the schools.
Science & Technology
These programs teach web page construction and essential cumputer skills.
Sports & Health
Youth participate in enriching and fun healthy experiences, from running a 5K to growing fresh produce in the garden.
Mentoring & Leadership
These programs provide a setting to talk about real issues for personal development.
Students are the center of our system. They are at the heart of all we do.
Student Support Services
The Student Support Coordinator at each site monitors the behavior and needs of each student and connects them to the help they need.
Snacks & Dinner
Nutritious snacks and a satisfying dinner are provided for every student, ensuring that no one does home hungry.
Arts & Humanities
Performance and studio art programs help students develop an understanding of the relationship between art, life and community.
Career & Work Readiness
Students learn and develop crucial working skills that will help them in the real world.
Our Staff
Our Board
Mr. Thurston R. Moore
Board Chair
Chairman Emeritus
Hunton Andrews Kurth
Ms. Sherrie Brach Armstrong
President and Chief Executive Officer
Community Foundation for Greater Richmond
The Honorable Jeffrey Bourne
Delegate
Virginia House of Delegates, 71st District
Mr. Carlos Brown
Vice President and General Counsel
Dominion Energy
Ms. Annette Cousins
Advisory Chair
Vice President of Community Engagement
Community Foundation
Ms. Troy Dye
Vice President, Head of Small Business Card Marketing
Capital One
Mr. Stuart Farrell
Audit Chair
Managing Partner
Tuckahoe Holdings
Mr. Moses Foster
President and Chief Executive Officer
West Cary Group LLC
Ms. Krissy M. Gathright
Chief Operating Officer
Apple Hospitality REIT
Mr. William H. Goodwin
Chairman
CCA Industries, Inc.
Ms. Jennifer Hunter
Senior Vice President
Corporate Citizenship
Altria Client Services, Inc.
Mr. Jason Kamras
Superintendent
Richmond Public Schools
Mr. John Luke
Governance Chair
Chairman
WestRock Company
Ms. Janice Luvera
Development Chair
Chief Marketing Officer
Genworth
Dr. John McCurley
Internal Medicine
& Hospital Medicine
The Honorable M Colette McEachin
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney
City of Richmond
Mr. Tayloe Negus
Aon Hewitt
Partner, Southern Virginia / Carolina Local Market Leader
The Honorable Cynthia L. Newbille
Councilwoman, 5th District
City of Richmond
Mr. Steven A. Rogers
Finance Chair
Senior Vice President, Financial Management
Retired – Dominion Energy
The Honorable Levar Stoney
Mayor
City of Richmond
Dr. Chriss Walther-Thomas
Retired – Professor of Education & Special Assistant to the Provost
Virginia Commonwealth University
Our Advisory Committee
Ms. Annette Cousins
Advisory Chair
Vice President of Community Engagement
Community Foundation for Greater Richmond
Ms. Heidi Abbott
Council
Hunton & Williams LLP
Mr. Tyler Agee
Director of Community Development
Bon Secours Richmond Health System
Ms. Cynthia P. Balderson
Manager-Corporate Philanthropy and Community Partnerships
Dominion and the Dominion Foundation
Ms. Kim Bridges
Harvard Doctoral Fellow
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
Ms. Mollie Brooks
Director, Community Relations
Genworth Foundation
Ms. Angel Clarke
VA / Community Relations Manager – Richmond VA
Bank of America
Ms. Kathryn Fessler (Katie)
Senior Director, Corporate Citizenship
Altria Client Services
Dr. Harold Fitrer
President and Chief Executive officer
Communities In Schools of Richmond
Dr. Shadae Harris
Chief Engagement Officer
Richmond Public Schools
Mr. Todd McFarlane
President and Chief Executive Officer
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond
Ms. Robin Pope-Moss
First Vice President, Purpose and Community Engagement Manager
SunTrust Foundation
Mr. Jamie Seagraves
Community Affairs Engagement Strategist
Capital One
Ms. Mary Dunne Stewart
President / CEO
Greater Richmond Fit4Kids
Mr. Ty Toepke
Executive Director
Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation
Contact us
Need help with online classes and registration or have any other questions? We can help.
NextUp RVA, Inc.
Barbara Couto Sipe, President & CEO
3409 Moore Street
Richmond, VA 23230
