FAQs

Families have lots of questions as they consider their school choices. Here, we've tried to cover the most frequently asked questions. If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

A: Regular school hours are:
Kindergarten and Grade 1: 8:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Grades 2 - 4: 8:15 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Grades 5 - 8: 8:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

 

A: James River uses MyHotLunchBox.com to offer lunch service for families who desire it. Parents set up an account with MyHotLunchBox and order meals for their children as they choose, which are then delivered to the school.

 

Our average class size is 14 students.

 

We do not have a uniform, as we support students’ privilege of dressing to show individual style. We are a school that teaches each child as an individual, and our dress code reflects our mission. We do stress neatness and appropriateness. Our expectations are as follows.
● All clothing should be clean, neat, free of holes, and free of inappropriate slogans or pictures.
● Clothing should cover the student’s bottom and have no undergarments visible.
● Shirts must cover the midriff, standing or sitting. Visible cleavage is not allowed.
● Shoes must be closed-toed and fit securely on the foot. No flip-flops or Crocs.

For more detail, please see our Handbook.

 

James River offers music, art, library, physical education, and Spanish beginning in kindergarten. Technology instruction is interwoven into classes on a cross-curricular basis.

 

Students in K have recess three times per day and PE twice per week.

Students in 1st through 4th grade have two recess times per day and PE twice per week.

Students in grades 5-8 (our middle school) have PE each day. Students enjoy a break time each morning during which they can go outside (weather permitting), as well as a club period on Fridays that allows for an activity of their choosing.

 

Students in grades five through eight may participate in the following athletic teams.
Fall: Co-Ed Cross Country, Co-Ed Soccer, and Girls’ Volleyball

Winter: Boys’ Basketball and Girls’ Basketball

Spring: Girls’ Lacrosse and Boys’ Lacrosse

Participation is arranged for each boy and girl appropriate to their age, development, ability, and interest, while
maintaining an element of fun throughout all levels of our program. For more information, see the Athletics section of our website.

 

A: The priority deadline to submit the initial application for first-round consideration for fall admission is the end of the first week of January for kindergarten and the end of the first week of February for grades 1-8.

 

James River graduates are well-prepared for any high school, whether it is a public school, private boarding school, or private high school. The majority of James River students go on to E.C. Glass High School, Virginia Episcopal School (VES), or Jefferson Forest, although we have had students go on to Woodberry, Madeira, Choate Rosemary Hall, Phillips Academy Andover, and many others.

 

James River alumni have done well wherever they go to high school. As Randy Trost (JRDS Class of 2017 and 2021 Valedictorian at E.C. Glass) noted, "James River gave me a firm foundation educationally. And not just me, if you look at the top students from E.C. Glass over time many of them were James River students."

 

Yes, James River's Children’s Center offers a supportive environment after school in which school-age children may grow and develop. The Children’s Center schedule balances structured and free-choice activities, indoor and outdoor time, and active and quiet time. It is open to receive students from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. when school is in session and on half-days when possible. The program is an added service offered by James River Day School for its students and parents.