River City Middle School

River City Middle School is located at 6300 Hull Street Road just outside of downtown Richmond at the site of the former Elkhardt Middle School.

Speight Marshall Francis served as Structural Engineer of Record for the new 1,500-student middle school which replaced two previous middle schools – Elkhardt Middle and Thompson Middle. The design was chosen by Richmond parents, students, teachers, and other city residents after a public process of community engagement and neighborhood meetings. The School Board opted to utilize the Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School prototypical design, which was designed by our firm, in order to save money. The prototype was brought up to the current code and adapted for the City of Richmond Schools. It contains a media center, auxiliary gyms, kitchens in each wing, three science labs, and an abundance of light and color. Exterior walls are primarily brick with aluminum composite metal panel systems. The 183,000 of the school’s exterior windows and doors are prefinished curtain wall and storefront systems. The teaching spaces are equipped with marker boards and tack boards.

Images courtesy of RRMM Architects.