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James River Day School
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Learn more about James River Day School, our mission, and our educational philosophy. Our school, our faculty and staff, our Board, and our community are dedicated to constantly and consistently building a school program where we cherish and challenge our students in an environment of academic excellence.
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Learn more about the difference James River will make in your child's education. Visit these pages and make arrangements to visit the school; there's no better way to see for yourself the impact of a James River education.
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The advantages of the K-8 model provide an incomparable foundation for learners and the entirety of our programming is built around a single question -- "What is best for the child?" Children flourish at James River because they are supported as students and as persons. They are given the tools for lifelong learning and the tools of good character to function well in society, leaving it better than they found it.
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James River Day School has relied on the support of our community since its founding. Partnerships with parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty and staff, alumni families, alumni, friends, and corporations have made it possible to provide our students with an unparalleled educational experience. Gifts to the Cardinal Annual Fund provide valuable operating support for all our programs.
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Belonging: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
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James River Day School is a vital community of lifelong learners of all ages. Parents, students, alumni, and alumni families can find lots of information in this section.
Summer at JRDS
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Summer at JRDS
James River Day School offers many options for summer 2025 that your child is sure to enjoy: week-long camps, our 8-week day camp, and more.
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Faculty and Staff
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Mr. Todd Anderson
Registrar and Middle School Science Teacher
Email Todd Anderson
B.S., Lynchburg College
Mrs. Carter Bendall
School Nurse
Email Carter Bendall
B.S.N., University of Lynchburg
Mrs. Leigh Berkley
Middle School Band and Orchestra Director
Email Leigh Berkley
B.A., Virginia Tech M.Mus.Ed., University of Maryland-College Park
Mrs. Tifany Briggs
Lower School Director
Email Tifany Briggs
B.A.S., University of Minnesota M.S., St. Cloud State University
Ms. Frances B. Butler
Front Desk Receptionist
Email Frances Butler
Ms. Emily Campbell
Business Office Manager
Email Emily Campbell
Mrs. Georgianna Cary
Fourth Grade Teacher
Email Georgianna Cary
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Sam Cecil
Third Grade Teacher
Email Sam Cecil
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Meghan L. Crowther
Middle School English Teacher
Email Meghan Crowther
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Michelle Davis
Director of Development
Email Michelle Davis
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Betsy Dodson
Fourth Grade Teacher
Email Betsy Dodson
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Casey Eccles
Middle School English Teacher, Community Service Coordinator
Email Casey Eccles
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. Matthew Farley
Director of Enrollment Management
Email Matthew Farley
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Ashley Felder
Middle School Visual Arts
Email Ashley Felder
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. John Gillum
Physical Education, Assistant Athletic Director, Cross Country & Basketball Coach, Summer Enrichment Coordinator
Email John Gillum
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Heather Guard
Middle School Science Teacher
Email Heather Guard
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Jeannie Heishman
Middle School Math Teacher
Email Jeannie Heishman
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Dr. Sarah Hellewell
Lower School Visual Arts
Email Sarah Hellewell
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Julia Kerstetter
Music Teacher and Choir Director
Email Julia Kerstetter
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Sarah Knapp
Second Grade Teacher
Email Sarah Knapp
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Nugent Koscielny
Middle School French & Visual Arts Teacher
Email Nugent Koscielny
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Tatum Laing
Children's Center Director
Email Tatum Laing
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Carly J. Lawrence
Kindergarten Teacher
Email Carly Lawrence
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Betsy S. Layne
Reading Specialist
Email Betsy Layne
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Hannah Leffel
First Grade Teacher
Email Hannah Leffel
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Sarah K. Lesko
Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations
Email Sarah Lesko
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Jenn Lindsay
Head of School
Email Jenn Lindsay
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Michelle Lucado
Kindergarten Teacher
Email Michelle Lucado
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Hollyday Marks
Second Grade Teacher
Email Hollyday Marks
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Taylor McDonald
Academic Technology Coordinator
Email Taylor McDonald
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. Jasper Oliver
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Email Jasper Oliver
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Elizabeth Owen
First Grade Teacher
Email Elizabeth Owen
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Ann F. Parker
Director of Communications
Email Ann Parker
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Betsy Rhodes
Media Center Coordinator and Technology Teacher
Email Betsy Rhodes
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Kandy D. Rini
Middle School Academic Support
Email Kandy Rini
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. Chris Salatino
Facilities Manager
Email Chris Salatino
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Ann Shenigo
Third Grade
Email Ann Shenigo
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Abby Smith
Executive Assistant to the Head of School Office and Substitute Coordinator
Email Abby Smith
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Toinette Staley
Academic Support Director, Reading Teacher
Email Toinette Staley
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. Carl Stanley
Bus Driver
Email Carl Stanley
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Rhonda Sydnor
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Email Rhonda Sydnor
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Sra. Anne Taylor
Spanish Teacher
Email Anne Taylor
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Ashley Walker
Spanish Teacher
Email Ashley Walker
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Cindy Webster
Middle School Math Teacher
Email Cindy Webster
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Ms. Melissa Wiggins
Athletic Director, Physical Education Teacher
Email Melissa Wiggins
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mr. Rob Woods
K-5 PE Teacher
Email Rob Woods
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
Mrs. Gessi Wright
Middle School Director
Email Gessi Wright
434-384-7385
434-384-5937
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