University of Richmond and Richmond Public Schools to Launch "Brains Rule!" Program in Science and Math
February 16, 2005
University of Richmond and Richmond Public Schools announced today a new program to prepare Richmond city schoolchildren for advanced placement and honors classes in math and science.
“Brains Rule!” will be patterned after “It’s Cool to Be Smart” projects espoused by Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Sixty eighth-graders who show academic promise based on SOL scores will be selected to participate each year for the next three years.
The program will be funded by a $1 million grant from Philip Morris USA. The company’s chairman and CEO, Michael Szymancyzk, presented a check for the initial portion of the grant to University of Richmond President William E. Cooper and city schools Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman. Also recognized were Stephen B. Johnson, chair of the Richmond School Board, and William Harrell, City of Richmond interim chief administrative officer.
During the summer before and after 8th grade, 60 students will attend six weeks of day-long classes at the university, preparing them to take advanced placement science and math courses during the regular school year. The summer session will be taught by experienced local AP teachers, with guest lectures by the university’s science and math professors. Educational field trips and family activities also will be provided.
During the regular school year, the students will be tutored three hours a week by Richmond undergraduates and attend special afternoon sessions.