Why Projectory School Exists?
We're building the kind of school we always wished existed.
It began with a simple question: what if school felt less like moving from subject to subject, and more like exploring one meaningful idea deeply?
After nearly a decade in elementary classrooms, I saw something over and over again.
Children were naturally curious. They asked thoughtful questions. They loved building, creating, experimenting, and solving problems, but too often, there wasn’t enough time to follow those questions. Instead, the day moved on to the next worksheet, the next lesson, or the next subject.
Projectory School was created to make curiosity part of the curriculum instead of a break from it.
Meet the Founder
Kelsie is an educator, curriculum designer, homeschooling parent, and the founder of Projectory School.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Education. Before beginning to homeschool her son, she spent eight years teaching elementary students, most recently in the Richmond area. Throughout her career, and now in her own home, she has been drawn to learning experiences that center inquiry, critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful application.
Projectory School grew from her conviction that elementary education should be deeply engaging, intellectually rigorous, and responsive to each child’s developmental needs. She believes children learn best when they are invited to think, create, collaborate, and solve real problems, not simply absorb information.
As both an educator and a homeschooling parent, Kelsie understands the opportunities and challenges of creating meaningful learning experiences beyond a traditional classroom. She is passionate about supporting families with thoughtful, high-quality learning opportunities that complement and enrich each child’s education.
Born and raised in Chesterfield and now living in Church Hill with her husband and two young children, Kelsie is committed to building a learning community that strengthens children, supports families, and contributes to the broader Richmond community.
Projectory is both a professional calling and a long-term investment in the future of thoughtful, capable learners.
About Projectory School
Projectory School is a nonprofit educational organization built around a simple idea: children learn best when they are curious, engaged, and given the space to think deeply. We serve children ages 5 - 9 in Richmond, Virginia.
Our small, mixed-age learning community combines strong academic foundations with meaningful, project-based learning. Children investigate questions, develop ideas, create original work, and build the reading, writing, mathematical, and critical-thinking skills they need to move forward with confidence.
Flexible three-, four-, and five-day enrollment options give families greater choice while providing children with consistent schedules, dependable routines, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Financial Assistance
We are committed to making Projectory School accessible to families. Financial assistance is available based on need, and we encourage any family interested in the school to reach out to learn more about available options.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Projectory School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Projectory School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.
FAQs
Projectory welcomes school-aged children ages 5-9 in a collaborative, mixed-age environment.
Children learn together through shared projects, discussions, creative work, and community experiences. Literacy and mathematics instruction are differentiated through small groups and individual learning goals, allowing each child to receive appropriate support and challenge.
Families may enroll in a consistent one-, two-or three-day weekly program. Children attend on the same days each week rather than following a changing or drop-in schedule. The year is broken down into two semesters (fall and spring).
Each child attends on the same scheduled day or days every week, creating a predictable rhythm with familiar teachers, classmates, routines, and spaces.
The whole community explores the same multiweek project, but each program day includes a complete cycle of reconnecting, investigating, creating, and reflecting. This allows every child to participate meaningfully without needing to have attended the previous day.
Shared project displays, learning portfolios, photographs, and group conversations help children see what the community has discovered and where their work fits. Children who attend two or three days have more opportunities to explore ideas deeply, practice skills, revise their work, and collaborate. Children who attend once a week still complete a meaningful part of the larger project and remain connected to its story.
No. Projectory is a project-based microschool for homeschool families. Our program is designed and led by an experienced educator, and parents are not required to teach, volunteer, or remain on-site.
Children may attend one, two, or three consistent days each week for guided, hands-on learning in a small, mixed-age community. Projectory partners with families as part of their home-instruction program, while parents remain responsible for meeting Virginia’s home-instruction requirements.
Yes. Families with school-age children enroll under Virginia’s home-instruction provisions and remain responsible for submitting the required annual notice to their local school division.
Projectory provides instruction, learning documentation, and support throughout the year. Because our lead educator meets Virginia’s evaluator qualifications and knows each child’s academic work, Projectory can also provide families with an annual proof-of-progress evaluation letter for submission to their division superintendent.
Projectory does not register children for home instruction or submit required documents on a family’s behalf. Requirements may vary based on a child’s age and circumstances, so families should confirm their responsibilities with their local school division.
Projectory School is located at 411 E Grace St, Richmond, VA inside Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Richmond.
No. Projectory School is a non-religious, independent microschool. We are located within a church building, but our program and curriculum are fully secular.
We will start our first school year in August 2026. Enrollment is now open, and spots are limited. We follow Richmond City Public Schools' calendar for holidays and days off.
Projectory School welcomes children age 5 - 9 for the 2026–2027 school year. We serve families from across the Richmond area who are looking for a small, supportive school centered on strong academics, curiosity, and hands-on learning. Projectory is independent, nonreligious, and open to families of all backgrounds.
Enrollment is limited to 10 children, allowing teachers to know and support every student as an individual.
Yes. Families complete a short application and meet with our lead educator to discuss their child’s interests, needs, and fit with our mixed-age, project-based environment. We do not require entrance testing. Once accepted, families select a consistent weekly schedule and complete the enrollment forms.
We aim to make our program accessible and are exploring scholarship and sliding-scale tuition options. Stay tuned.
Our school hours are 9am - 2pm.
You can sign up for updates, donate, volunteer, or help spread the word. We're building this together!
Let's Get to Know Each Other
Whether you’re just curious or ready to explore Projectory, here are a few easy ways to connect.