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News

RPS breaks ground on the new Richmond High School for the Arts

VPM | By Shaban Athuman
Published July 17, 2023 at 3:48 PM EDT
A person adjusts the positioning of an easel holding glossy rederings
1 of 13  — 1.georgewythe_gb_sathuman_071723
A person displays renderings of the Richmond High School for the Arts before its groundbreaking on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
Shovels with red and blue bows and an RPS sticker are lined up against a bench.
2 of 13  — 2.georgewythe_gb_sathuman_071723
Shovels lined up for the groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
Robinson puts his finger on his mouth as he looks at renderings of the new school.
3 of 13  — Robinson puts his finger on his mouth as he looks at renderings of the new school.
Marvin Robinson, George Wythe class of 1971, looks at the rendering of the Richmond High School for the Arts before a groundbreaking on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond High School for the Arts will replace George Wythe High School.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
Cheerleaders look at renderings of the new school
4 of 13  — Cheerleaders look at renderings of the new school
George Wythe cheerleaders look at the rendering of Richmond High School for the Arts before its groundbreaking on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A person in a suit stands in the foreground as he speaks with people wearing red t-shirts and seated in bleachers.
5 of 13  — Mayor Stoney stands in the foreground as he speaks with alumni, who are wearing red t-shirts.
Mayor Levar Stoney chats with George Wythe alumni before a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond High School for the Arts will replace George Wythe High School.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A person, wearing a shirt that says "class of 2004," looks at renderings of the new school.
6 of 13  — A person, wearing a shirt that says "class of 2004," looks at renderings of the new school.
A person looks at renderings before a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A person wearing a suit speaks at a podium.
7 of 13  — Superintendent Kamras speaks at a podium
RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras gives remarks during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
George Wythe alumni applaud
8 of 13  — George Wyth alumni applaud
George Wythe alumni cheer during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A person wearing a suit and a bracelet with large beads speaks at an RPS labeled podium
9 of 13  — Mayor Stoney speaks at an RPS labeled podium
Mayor Levar Stoney gives remarks during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A close up photo of a person wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and a silver chain seated with his hand raised as he responds to Mayor Stoney
10 of 13  — A close up photo of Spears with his hand raised as he responds to Mayor Stoney
Purnell Spears, George Wythe class of 74, cheers on Mayor Levar Stoney during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A small child wearing a Pokemon hat plays with bubbles
11 of 13  — Steed, wearing a Pokemon hat, plays with bubbles
Carter Steed, 4, plays with bubbles during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
A woman uses a fence to hold herself up as she walks past a group of cheerleaders standing in front of a bulldozer.
12 of 13  — A woman uses a fence to hold herself up as she walks past a group of cheerleaders standing in front of a bulldozer.
Members of the George Wythe cheerleading team get ready to perform during a groundbreaking of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
Community members use their phones to take pictures of elected officials as they participate in a groundbreaking ceremony.
13 of 13  — Community members use their phones to take pictures of elected officials as they participate in a groundbreaking ceremony.
Elected officials and community members participate in a groundbreaking ceremony of Richmond High School for the Arts on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at George Wythe High School in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News

The school will replace the 63-year-old George Wythe High.

George Wythe High School students, alumni and community members were joined by public officials on Saturday for the groundbreaking of the new Richmond High School for the Arts on the city's Southside. The school will replace the 63-year-old George Wythe High.

Community members were shown rendered images of the planned new school and heard from officials including Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and Superintendent Jason Kamras.

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News EducationRichmond
Shaban Athuman
Shaban Athuman was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp and grew up in Roanoke, where he fell in love with photography.
See stories by Shaban Athuman