Open High School

600 South Pine Street

School District

Richmond City Public Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:13
Type

public

School Map for Richmond City Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by other on October 23, 2020

I attended OHS from 1998-2002. As an alum of Open High School, I can proudly say that I grew into a lifelong learner and thinker because of the independence and quality of education provided by the teachers and staff of Open High. The small knit community and class sizes allow teachers and students to get consistent feedback as well as growth in different subject areas and personal matters. Teachers act more as mentors as they guide students through the knowledge. Self study and curiosity are encouraged and welcomed. I do not recall an emphasis on SOLs but I recall passing them all every year. Students who graduate from Open High School tend to be great additions to society. Most attend and graduate from a university with advanced degrees. The class of 2002 alumni mostly have Masters degrees and Doctoral degrees in their perspective fields. Most of us are still friends 18+ years later.Open High School is a TOP school within Richmond Public Schools.
Submitted by parent on March 12, 2015

Great school. The absolute best teachers anywhere in the greater Richmond area. It feels as if our child were attending an elite university. It has been three years of intense intellectual growth for our son, under the careful guidance of brilliant teachers and staff. There cannot be any better colleagues and life-long friends for our children attending this fabulous school. (And we are not even mentioning here the grand old building with large windows and high ceilings, a block away from the river, where our students have the privilege to study.)
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2014

Great school indeed. Students are highly motivated, teachers are outstanding. Many students this year were accepted in very and most competitive schools, respectively. Yes, they do teach to ensure that students' SOL performance is up to par - they are a Virginia public high school. But they excel where it matters: top-college admittance.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2014

My youngest son is an alternate at Maggie Walker and it is very likely that he will get in. However, throughout our high school decision process for our youngest son, our top choice remains Open High School. Our older son currently attends Open and we could not be more pleased: truly exceptional teachers, caring and highly skilled staff, great students, and an outstanding learning environment sum up our experience. Like other parents, I am glad that we did not capitulate and opt for suburbia or private school. Open High School is the very best investment you can possibly make in your child's future.
Submitted by student on November 27, 2013

Going against a previous rating by a parent suggesting that teachers overly emphasis on SOLs, all teachers in the state of Virginia must have their students pass or are otherwise fired. I have had multiple open discussions about this with teachers and other students about why this is. Teachers endlessly want to change this and fulfill their job of inspiring students to learn. OHS steps out of the box of the typical 'cookie-cutter' school. This school attempts to revolutionize the American School System. As a result, students must adapt to its learning environment, but most benefit from this in the end enormously.
Submitted by other on November 17, 2013

There is no other school like Open. Above and beyond. A+ education that will last a lifetime.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2013

Mission statement is incongruent with school culture and faculty behavior. Large emphasis by faculty on SOL's. Great ideology, poor implementation and practice.
Submitted by student on September 15, 2013

This is my second year at Open High School. I really enjoy the school. The teachers are all amazing and I learn a lot from them. They are also very friendly and allow students to call them by their first name. Everyone knows one another at this school, and the teachers are always there to help! The freedom is another unique thing about Open. I get to go where ever I want for lunch. This is the only school that I know about that allows their students to do this. The fact that I get the opportunity to take courses at J Sarge and VCU is another great thing about Open. I would absolutely recommend Open to anyone!:
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2013

My daughter attended a private school through middle school, but decided she wanted to go to Open for HS. She has been very happy there! The facilities are nothing compared to her pvt school, but the teachers and staff at Open are amazing. Open gives the kids a lot of room to be very independent. The teachers treat the students as equals--kids even call the teachers by their first names. It's more like college than HS, in my opinion. We could not be happier!
Submitted by parent on August 15, 2008

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