The Academy at Virginia Randolph will celebrate its centennial Saturday, Oct. 17, marking a century since the Henrico County school was dedicated in honor of Ms. Randolph, the pioneering African-American educator. 

The commemoration is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, 2204 Mountain Road, in Glen Allen.

Among the highlights:

Elvatrice Belsches, a Richmond area historical researcher, author and lecturer, will discuss her scholarship involving Ms. Randolph and the school in a multimedia presentation, “A Century of Hope and a Legacy of Service: The Virginia Randolph Story.”

Also, Alice Lynch of the Capitol Foundation will speak. The foundation is leading fundraising efforts for a women’s monument on the Virginia Capitol grounds that will feature Ms. Randolph along with 11 other Virginia history makers.

“We’re hoping this will promote her history, which is somewhat underrepresented,” said Jesse Casey, principal of the Academy at Virginia Randolph. “We’re using the centennial as part of our theme of embracing her legacy and using it to help our students achieve.”

Ms. Randolph, who was born in 1874, was a trailblazing teacher who stressed community involvement and combined academic instruction with practical life and work skills, according to a release on the event.

Ms. Randolph’s techniques became the model for African-American education in the early 20th-century South, according to the Library of Virginia.

The celebration will include music, food and games. Trade instructors from the school will have a booth with information and activities about the field they teach. 

The event is sponsored by the school, the Henrico County Recreation and Parks Department and the Virginia Randolph Foundation.