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, and the founder of Projectory School.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Education, and spent eight years teaching elementary students, most recently in the Richmond area. Throughout her career, she has been drawn to instructional models that center inquiry, critical thinking, and meaningful application.
Projectory School grew out of her conviction that elementary education should be deeply engaging, intellectually rigorous, and responsive to the developmental needs of children. She believes students learn best when they are challenged to think, create, collaborate, and solve real problems, not simply absorb information.
Born and raised in Chesterfield and now living in Church Hill with her husband and two young children, Kelsie is committed to building a school that strengthens both students and 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. Through a school-year program, summer camps, and community-based learning opportunities, we offer project-based experiences that connect math, science, literacy, and creativity in meaningful ways.
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
We will open with one mixed-age group of Kindergarten through Grade 2 in 2026. We will continue to add a class each year and hope to include kindergarten through grade 5 over time.
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 school. We are located within a church building, but our program and curriculum are fully secular.
We are open now for summer programming! We will start our first school year in August 2026. Enrollment is now open, and spots are limited.
Projectory School welcomes children entering Kindergarten through Grade 2 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.
Yes, there will be a short application, a family interview, and opportunities to visit before enrolling.
We aim to make our program accessible and are exploring scholarship and sliding-scale tuition options. Stay tuned.
Our school hours are 9am - 3pm.
We will have a cap of 12 students in the class with one lead teacher and other adjunct teachers to assist with special lessons.
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.