Middle School Centers for Innovation

Non-HCPS applicants must be:

• Residents of Henrico County.

• Not enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools.

• Current students in grades 5 (rising sixth graders for the 2027-28 school year).

The application window will open on September 10, 2026 and close on October 5, 2026.

Visit the application portal.

The school day at the Centers for Innovation offers a unique experience compared to other middle schools in Henrico. While it’s not longer, the daily schedule is unique. English and social studies are taught together in one class block. This setup allows for deeper hands-on learning, solving problems through projects, and encourages more creativity and teamwork. Students also have the option to take traditional elective classes like world languages and visual and performing arts. 

Not only has the curriculum been revamped, but the Centers for Innovation have also redesigned learning spaces. These include flexible seating arrangements, spacious collaboration areas, and individual workstations. These features encourage teamwork, communication, and the sharing of ideas among students. They also mirror modern workplaces, preparing students for future careers where working together and being adaptable are crucial skills.

Phase I: John Rolfe Middle School

The first Center for Innovation, housed within John Rolfe Middle School, opened at the start of the 2024-25 school year. Any rising sixth- through eighth-grade student who was zoned for Brookland, Elko, Fairfield, George Moody, John Rolfe, or L. Douglas Wilder middle schools was eligible to apply.

Phase II: Quioccasin Middle School

The second Center for Innovation will launch this fall for the 2026–27 school year, initially operating before moving into its permanent home at the newly rebuilt Quioccasin Middle School when the new building opens for the 2027–28 school year. Any rising sixth-grade student zoned for Holman, Hungary Creek, Quioccasin, Tuckahoe, Pocahontas, or Short Pump middle schools is eligible to apply for admission.

The Centers for Innovation is excited to work with parents and the community to help students succeed, pursue their dreams and grow socially and emotionally. Building strong relationships with businesses, both nearby and across the state and country, is important for students and the program to thrive. These partnerships create opportunities for students to learn more about different careers, try out new experiences and connect what they learn in school to the real world outside the classroom.

HCPS is fortunate to have these partners in education supporting the success of students at the Centers for Innovation.

• VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation and Strategic Design

• VCU Center for Teacher Leadership

• Henrico Education Foundation

At the Centers for Innovation, staff have many of the same characteristics and qualities as the students. They are forward-thinking, imaginative and inventive educators who have a strong passion for teaching and learning. Teachers and staff are particularly interested in design thinking, entrepreneurship, collaboration and project-based learning. Teachers at the Centers for Innovation can earn special microcredentials that enable them to advance on the HCPS Career Ladder without having to leave the classroom. In collaboration with VCU, the school division will also have expanded opportunities to welcome teacher residents to the Centers for Innovation.

Students currently in fifth grade who reside in Henrico County and are zoned to attend middle school at John Rolfe, Elko, Fairfield, Brookland, George Moody, or L. Douglas Wilder middle schools are eligible.

Students currently in fifth grade who reside in Henrico County and are zoned to attend middle school at Holman, Hungary Creek, Pocahontas, Quiocassin, Short Pump, or Tuckahoe middle schools are eligible.

The application window opened Sept. 10 and closes Oct. 5. HCPS students currently in fifth grade can apply through SchoolMint.

Yes, students who are home-schooled are eligible for the lottery; they are not required to enroll until accepted into the center.

Fifty seats per grade level are currently projected for sixth grade. Academics are factored into the decision only with the requirement that students have successfully completed course requirements for the current year. Beyond course requirements, selections are based on the lottery.

The Center for Innovation is a new center/program option for middle school students, with a specialized curriculum and approach to teaching and learning. Eligible students may apply to multiple centers and programs but may only select one to attend.

The Centers for Innovation will be aligned similarly to all middle schools within the county. Students enrolled at any middle school in Henrico County have access to all prerequisite courses that may be required to apply to a high school specialty center.

If selected, students will secure a place at the Center for Innovation, provided all necessary criteria for advancing to the next grade level is met. Upon being chosen through the lottery, students will receive an acceptance notification on School Mint to confirm attendance at the Center for Innovation. Additionally, there will be a registration procedure for enrolling at JRMS and QMS.

Students interested in a platform where they can unleash their creativity, engage in hands-on projects and explore exciting career paths in business and STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — should consider applying to the Center for Innovation.

Transportation for students not currently zoned to John Rolfe MS or Quiocassin MS will be provided through the hub system and is arranged from a neighborhood bus stop using the student’s home address. Transportation for students currently zoned to attend JRMS and QMS will use their assigned bus stop location. It will be consistent with the same bus stop location for “zoned” students. New students will complete a transportation registration form provided by the specialty center or program coordinator. Detailed information can be found here.

While the Center for Innovation is specific to the middle school level, there are a number of course offerings and programs available in both the comprehensive and specialty center settings at the high school level that allow students to continue following their passion and pursue their academic and career goals.

HCPS is committed to systematic evaluation of all programs to meet the needs and demands of the students.

No, students are not required to reapply each year, however students are required to remain in good standing academically and conform to the HCPS Code of Student Conduct.