Dr. Brittany Lopes serves as the Executive Director and Head of Rise Academy. Founded in 2003 as a front-porch after school program, Rise Academy (formerly Church Hill Activities & Tutoring) has grown into a fully accredited high school for students in grades 9–12.
Lopes, who has extensive experience in secondary education and administration, holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech, a master’s in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Richmond, and a bachelor’s in history and secondary education from Randolph-Macon College.
Before her appointment, Lopes served as principal of Rise Academy from July 2023 to November 2024. She previously held various roles within Chesterfield County Public Schools, including associate principal, assistant principal, dean of students, and civics and economics teacher, from 2011 to 2023. She also is a member of the Rho Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Since 2003, Rise Richmond (formerly CHAT) has partnered with families in Richmond’s East End to create access to educational opportunities. Rise’s independent high school, Rise Academy, offers a supportive environment that fosters students’ academic and personal success.