From the Archives: Ridge School
Ridge School in Henrico County originated in the 1870s when classes met at the “Ridge Meeting House,” which also operated as a church. During the 1880s, classes were moved to a nearby small schoolhouse, which burned down in 1903. By 1907, the school was rebuilt, with a two-story building that accommodated more students and grades. By the 1920s, the building underwent further upgrades, including offices, a library, central air and indoor plumbing.
In the 1950s, zoning issues led the school to make Times-Dispatch headlines often. In September 1955, parents prepared to protest when school zones were shifted to ease overcrowding issues. The paper reported that while the shifts produced “a more efficient use of available classrooms, according to school authorities… the result was dissatisfied parents, represented by a group of parents who turned up at the meeting to protest.” The largest delegation of protesters showed up to oppose a zoning change that would shift “107 pupils from Short Pump School to Ridge School.” But even after listening to the frustrated parents, the school board went ahead with its plans.
04-07-1955 (cutline): Happy Ridge School youngsters try out their new merry-go-round, presented to the school by the Parent-Teachers Association through free will donations. All the machinery is covered to avoid the danger of children being hurt.
01-13-1946 (cutline): Ridge School in Tuckahoe District, has become so overcrowded that classes are being held in a private home. Henrico School Board is considering plans to make this a seven room school with auditorium and cafeteria facilities.
12-24-1952: Building housed temporary classrooms at Ridge School due to problems with overcrowding.
09-08-1958 (cutline): Pupils flock to Ridge Elementary as county schools open.
12-19-1958 (cutline): In Ridge School kitchen, pots to be washed are placed on stove because there was no drainboard.
12-19-1958: Plates in open cupboard in Ridge School cafeteria.
6-4-1960 (cutline): "I remember my first day in school. We learned the rules about school and we found out all the rooms. The teachers showed us all around the school. It was sort of strange the first day. I didn't know many people at first. We put name tags on. Now I know everybody." Ridge School
Virginia Democrats have made statements that the recent Virginia Supreme Court decision overrides the will of the voters. Yet they had no issues with the governor's approval to override the voters' choice in a presidential election by directing Virginia's electors to support the national popular vote winner. The party of hypocrisy.
