Our Community-based Journey

The Harbor School was developed to meet specific needs identified in the Richmond community. Our journey to opening began in 2018 and is still underway.

150+ interviews and 175+ voices surface a shared vision for a school that centers

  • Belonging

  • Interest-driven learning

  • Family partnership

  • A broader definition of success

  • Shape a holistic, learner-centered school model over 4 years, 4200+ hours, and 4 pilot programs

  • Explore regulatory pathways to stay public, tuition-free, and open to all (see charter facts below)

  • Write Virginia charter application

  • State reviews application to ensure it meets Virginia’s standards

  • Local school board decides whether to authorize the school

  • Complete final development phase

  • Conduct city-wide family outreach

  • Enroll Year 1 learners through public lottery

The Harbor School

plans to open fall 2026

Facts about community-based charter schools in Virginia

Tuition-free, non-profit, public.

Open to all students, including those with disabilities.

Held to Virginia’s Standards of Quality and Standards of Learning like all public schools.

Created by and advocated for community members.

Part of a local school district that authorizes and funds them.

Granted flexibility in teaching and operations, but must meet performance goals.

Tonya Robinson (parent)

Jayden Crosby-Brewer (youth)

Lyfe Brown (youth)

Lannell Harris (parent)

Maxcy Hill (parent)

Community Founders

Bunmi Esho (educator)

Sarah Craig (youth development)

Jasmine Green (parent)

Kelly Ozah (youth development)

Tonya Robinson

Jon Bibbs

Jasmine Green

Garrett Sawyer

Devin Jefferson

Management Committee

(Still growing!)

Bunmi Esho

Kristin Craig

Todd McFarlane

Charles English

Caroline Hill