Since its founding, the Richmond Community Foundation (RCF) has led a strategic effort to revitalize the Nystrom neighborhood located in Richmond, California. This neighborhood was chosen because of its need and its assets.

This comprehensive effort began with the creation of the Richmond College Preparatory Pre- and Elementary School. Working from a community centered school model, RCF has witnessed this model evolve into a high performing preschool and K-5 charter school.

In light of our vision and success, RCF created Richmond Elementary School, Inc. (RES, Inc.), a nonprofit organization comprised of parents, businesses, and education and community leaders to operate the school. The RES, Inc. philosophy is much like RCF’s – to be successful, schools must be owned and operated by the community.

Today, RES, Inc. has sprouted wings and operates successfully on its own as an independent organization.

We will continue to work with RES, Inc. as a partner and collaborator, ensuring continued student success and achievement. This collaboration allows RCF to continue its important mission of revitalizing and improving the Nystrom neighborhood as a whole.

We congratulate the RES, Inc. Board, RES, Inc. administration, teachers, staff and students on its success and we look forward to many years of partnership in educational excellence.

As RES, Inc. grows, so will the RES, Inc. website. Please check back in the coming months for RES, Inc. information and updates.

Peppina Chang
CEO and Head of Schools, Richmond College Preparatory Schools

Peppina Chang gGraduated with a degree in Philosophy and Letters from the Catholic University Rafael Landivar in Guatemala. Chang obtained her Montessori Certification in 1988 from Contra Costa College. She began her educational career at El Sobrante Elementary School as a teacher's aide and in 1990 she moved to Seaview Montessori Elementary School and also enrolled at JFK University in Orinda where she obtained her BA in Liberal Studies with emphasis in Multicultural Education. At the same time, Chang was granted her Multiple subject Credentials and BCLAD credentials. Awarded with the Urban Teaching Scholarship, Chang graduated with honors .

From 1994 to 1998, Chang taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades at Seaview Montessori Elementary School. In 1998 she began teaching Early Childhood Education at Martin Luther King State Preschool. Eventually, she opened the only Montessori Dual Immersion State Preschool in WCCUSD.

In the summer of 2004, she helped start the Richmond College Preparatory Preschool, and in 2006, the Richmond College Preparatory K-5 Charter Elementary School.

A mother of six successful professionals, Chang is dedicated to eliminate the educational inequalities in Richmond by educating the human potential of every child that enrolls in the school. Her motto: An educator removes obstacles in the life of the children.