Our Programs
Richmond’s premier elementary school for accelerated, leadership-driven learners.
From learning foundations to confident leadership
At the Academy of Academic Excellence, education is not divided by grade alone, it is designed as a launch sequence. From learning foundations to confident leadership, every stage prepares students not just to advance, but to become.
The Launch Pad
This is where acceleration begins.In The Launch Pad, students are learning how to learn. We intentionally build:
- Eye-hand motor development
- Attention span and focus
- Listening and direction-following
- Collaboration and classroom responsibility
- Empowerment through meaningful classroom jobs
Academically, students begin decoding three-letter words, develop early reading confidence, and build strong number sense including early addition skills and Singapore math.
We accelerate early, because strong foundations create strong futures.
The Blast Off
This is where differentiation ignites.In The Blast Off, academic growth becomes dynamic. Students:
- Read at their appropriate challenge level
- Master math concepts through precision and fluency
- Present mini-dissertations and share ideas confidently
- Lead discussions
- Articulate thoughts clearly
- Think differently
This is where advanced learning becomes visible.
Acceleration is no longer emerging, it is exploding.
The Leadership Academy
This is where formation takes flight.By the time students enter The Leadership Academy, academics are assumed. Now we cultivate capability and character. Students:
- Present confidently to adult audiences
- Mentor younger peers
- Manage entrepreneurial projects
- Define and defend ideas with reasoning and research
- Write persuasively
- Engage in community impact initiatives
- Develop executive functioning habits including time management, goal setting, debate, and public speaking
- Think independently
The Leadership Academy transforms accelerated learners into poised, self-directed scholars prepared not just for middle school, but for influence.
How we teach
Differentiated Curriculum
Deliberate adaptation and modification of the curriculum. The Academy achieves this by building its curriculum to be accelerated, complex, in depth, challenging, creative, and conceptual.
Multiage Grouping
Research shows that all students placed in multiage environments will accelerate a minimum of one full academic year. Students are grouped with same-age peers for emotional and social growth, and by ability level at select times of the day.
Learning Strategies
With a low student/teacher ratio, we identify the learning style of each student and use Bloom’s Taxonomy, questioning, collaboration, and graphic organizers to strengthen high-level thinking skills.
The Whole Person
We balance our academics with an integration of Art, Music, Physical Education, Yoga, and Spanish to promote healthy social and emotional growth.
Chess, Games & Strategy
Chess club and strategy games build patience, planning, and problem-solving — because there are many paths to an answer.
Outdoor Play & Discovery
Daily outdoor time and hands-on discovery keep curiosity alive and encourage thinking outside the box.
Learning happens everywhere
Enrichment
Art, Music, PE, Yoga, and Spanish every week.
Chess Club
Strategy and problem-solving in every move.
Games & Strategy
Often, there are many right answers.
Graduation
Poised, self-directed scholars ready for influence.
Extended Day Program
Every student wants to stay for Extended Day — just ask our parents! Students enjoy outdoor time, a snack, homework, and a special activity each day. Any student staying until 5:30 PM or later is guaranteed to have homework finished.
Keep exploring AAE
Ready to see the AAE difference?
We’d love to welcome your family to our campus in Richmond, Virginia. Meet our teachers, see our classrooms, and discover why families choose AAE.
A Pre-Kindergarten through fifth-grade independent school in Richmond, Virginia, where excellence is not a skill — it’s an attitude.