Principal’s Message

Welcome to our beautiful school community! As the Principal at Richards Career Academy (RCA), I am honored to lead a neighborhood high school where our size is one of our greatest strengths! Located in Chicago’s Back of The Yards and serving approximately 300 students in Grades 9-12, we take immense pride in fostering a small, nurturing environment that feels more like a family than a traditional institution.  

In a world where students can sometimes feel like just another face in the crowd, our mission is simple: ensuring that every student is Known. Valued. Inspired.  Our dedicated faculty and staff build genuine relationships with every student who walks through our doors. We don’t just teach subjects; we mentor individuals, recognizing the unique talents and aspirations each student brings to our Warrior community. We want all students to leave our care inspired to be the revolutionaries needed for creating a better world.  

2025-2026 marks my ninth year as Principal at Richards.  Our school has come a long way since I arrived back in 2017.  With everyone working together– faculty, staff, students, parents – we have experienced incredible growth and improvement over the years.  Continued success is at our doorstep! 

Don’t be fooled by our small size – we have lots to offer students and families.  I invite you to explore our website to learn more about our academic programs, extracurricular activities, sports, and more! 

You can also catch up with me on Instagram @rcaprincipal 

Ms. Ellen Kennedy

Principal