Richmond, Virginia · Pre-K–5th Grade
Now Enrolling at the Academy of Academic Excellence
Some schools teach children what to think. At AAE, we teach children how to think, why to question, and when to lead. Book a tour and see why Richmond families have trusted AAE since 1997.
Book My Tour →- Since 1997Serving Richmond families
- Full-Day Pre-KOne of the few in Richmond
- MSA-CESSAccredited · VCPE member
Book Your Private Tour
Tell us a little about your family and our admissions team will reach out to find a time that works for you.
Your information is kept private and used only to arrange your visit.
From AAE Families
What Parents Are Saying
Selected excerpts from five-star parent reviews.
“The individualized attention sets this school apart.”
“His academic abilities have soared and his level of confidence has increased.”
“Best investment we’ve made!”
The AAE Powerhouse
Where Academic Excellence Meets the Power of Leadership
For nearly three decades, AAE has challenged the traditional definition of elementary education. Founded in 1997 by educator Rita T. Busch, our school was built on one powerful belief: children are capable of far more than we sometimes ask of them. Our mission is not simply to prepare students for the next grade, but to develop confident thinkers, articulate communicators, compassionate citizens, and future leaders.
01
“Is my child capable of more but not being challenged?”
We Don’t Put Ceilings on Children. We Open Doors.
Age and grade level should never define the limits of a child’s potential. Our classrooms are built around differentiated instruction, so students progress by readiness, understanding, and demonstrated mastery, not simply the pace of a textbook. Whether a child is advancing in mathematics, developing sophisticated reading comprehension, or mastering persuasive communication, they are stretched and supported every step of the way.
We don’t ask children to wait for the curriculum to catch up with them. We challenge them to discover just how far they can go.
02
“Is my child learning how to think, or simply memorizing information?”
We Teach Thinking, Not Just Remembering.
Students learn to question, investigate, analyze, synthesize, create, and innovate, and to recognize that there may be more than one path to a solution. Through Singapore Math, scientific investigations, research projects, collaborative problem-solving, and student presentations, children learn to explain their reasoning and defend their conclusions. Mistakes are not failures; they are opportunities for discovery.
Knowing the answer is impressive. Knowing how to think is powerful.
03
“Do my child’s teachers truly understand their strengths, challenges, and learning style?”
We Know the Child Behind the Student.
At AAE, education begins with relationships. Some children show understanding through conversation, others through visuals, hands-on work, writing, or presentations. We pair academic assessments, including MAP Growth, with daily observation and instructional judgment to identify strengths, address challenges, and guide learning. Our small-school environment builds meaningful relationships among teachers, students, administrators, and families.
When children know they are understood, they gain the confidence to take intellectual risks and embrace new challenges.
04
“Is my child developing leadership, responsibility, resilience, kindness, and self-advocacy?”
We Don’t Wait Until Adulthood to Teach Leadership.
Leadership is woven into the culture of our school. Our youngest learners build independence, cooperation, and the confidence to communicate their needs. Older students collaborate, mentor younger students, present their ideas, and solve problems with growing independence. In our Upper Elementary Leadership Academy, they research complex topics, deliver presentations, debate, pursue entrepreneurial projects, and contribute to their community. As Simon Sinek puts it, leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.
We are not raising children who simply follow directions. We are developing young people who think independently, act responsibly, and lead with compassion.
The Power of the AAE Journey
An Experience Designed to Build on Itself
PreK
The Launch Pad
Where curiosity takes flight, independence begins, and children discover the excitement of learning.
Kindergarten–2nd Grade
Blast Off
Where academic foundations become launching points for differentiated learning, collaboration, problem-solving, and confident communication.
Grades 3–5
The Leadership Academy
Where advanced academic thinking meets public speaking, research, entrepreneurship, mentorship, executive functioning, and purposeful leadership.
Each stage builds more than academic knowledge. It develops the habits, attitudes, and life skills children carry with them long after elementary school.
Our Greatest Differentiator
We Are Intentional.
Nothing about the AAE educational experience is accidental.
- We intentionally differentiate instruction.
- We intentionally challenge children beyond minimum expectations.
- We intentionally teach critical thinking.
- We intentionally cultivate relationships.
- We intentionally develop character, resilience, responsibility, and leadership.
- We intentionally prepare students for a future that demands far more than memorizing information and passing exams.
“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude.”
Children deserve more than an education. They deserve to discover what they are capable of becoming. We don’t simply prepare children for the next grade. We prepare them for life.
Academy of Academic Excellence · Revolutionizing Student Success
Visit Our Campus
Find Us in Richmond’s West End
Address
12345 Gayton Road
Richmond, VA 23238
Tours
Private tours by appointment.
Request yours with the form above.
Call Us
(804) 740-6500
Questions Parents Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does AAE serve?
We welcome students from Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade, including full-day Pre-K, which few private elementary schools in Richmond offer.
How big are the classes?
We keep a low student/teacher ratio so teachers know every child by name, understand how each one learns, and can adjust instruction to the right level of challenge.
What does a typical week include beyond academics?
Daily enrichment in Art, Music, Physical Education, Yoga, and Spanish, plus chess, strategy games, and outdoor play that build confidence and problem-solving.
Is the school accredited?
Yes. AAE is accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA-CESS) and is a member of the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE).
What happens after I submit the form?
A member of our admissions team will contact you to schedule a private tour, answer your questions, and walk you through the next steps to enroll.