How many available student slots does the HCPS Gifted Young Scholar Academy (GYSA) have for the 2025-2026 school year?

HCPS has a total of 100 allocated student slots (grade 6) at GYSA.

What criteria are used in determining if a student is eligible to apply for GYSA?

The criteria used to determine eligibility are:

Student must be identified for gifted services in the area of General Intellectual Aptitude by the end of 4th grade*
Student must be in good academic standing. (Receiving an overall B average during their 4th and 5th grade year)*

*Denotes required criteria

Why is dual identification a required criteria?

Due to the advanced rigor, depth, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature of the overall program, we are requiring students to meet the criteria for General Intellectual Aptitude (Math and Language Arts).

Can private and homeschool students apply?

Students must be identified as gifted in the area of General Intellectual Aptitude and must be attending 5th grade in Henrico County Public Schools to apply. Students not identified must be enrolled and attending a HCPS School in their 4th grade year or earlier in order to be referred for gifted services.

How are students selected to participate in the Gifted Young Scholar Academy?

A lottery system will be used to select 100 students for GYSA. Students who meet the criteria and fill out an application will be entered into the application pool. Using the lottery system, 10 students from each magisterial district will be selected to fill the first 50 slots. All remaining applicants will be placed into a general pool and the final 50 slots will be filled- again using the lottery system. Any students that are not selected will be placed on a wait list in the order that the lottery system places them.

When will students be notified if they have been chosen to participate in GYSA?

Application response letters will be mailed in January.

When is the due date for students offered admission or designated as an alternate?

The GYSA Student/Parent Agreement forms, indicating whether the student accepts or declines admission to GYSA, are due by Tuesday, January 28, 2025 to the HCPS Gifted Programs Office. The wait list form for students designated as an alternate are also due by Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

What does waitlist status mean?

If a student who is selected to participate in GYSA declines, then the next student on the waitlist will be notified by a member of the Office of Gifted Programs offering admission.

How long will the waitlist remain active?

If a student has not accepted a position at another middle school program, he/she may remain on the GYSA waitlist through Monday, August 4, 2025.

If a student on the GYSA wait list receives a letter offering admission to another middle school program (i.e. International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program), what should the student do?

If the student is interested in participating in the program that offers admission, the student should accept the offer. The student may choose to remain on the GYSA wait list until February 7, 2025. After February 7, 2025, if the student has committed to another program, he/she will be removed from the GYSA waitlist.

If a student who is offered admission declines the offer, can the student defer their acceptance and enter GYSA the following year?

No, the available position will be offered to a student on the waitlist.

If my child is not selected for GYSA, will they still receive gifted services at their zoned middle school?

Yes. All gifted students have access to gifted electives taught by gifted endorsed resource teachers and may enroll in advanced courses. These courses are available at all Henrico County middle schools.

May students reapply for admission the following year?

No, applications are only accepted from a student during his/her fifth grade year. Students moving into Henrico during the sixth or seventh grade year may apply to the program for the following year, based on qualifications and prerequisites. These applicants will be reviewed on an individual and space available basis.

Does attending GYSA allow students an advantage when applying to HCPS Specialty Centers and Maggie Walker Governor’s School?

The application process at these schools does not take into consideration placement in middle school programs.

What is the difference between GYSA and IBMYB?

GYSA will provide opportunities for leadership, inquiry-based learning, literary and scientific analysis, service learning, arts integration, and problem-based learning that focuses on topics of strength and interest. This comprehensive instructional program is designed around the cognitive characteristics and learning styles of gifted children, providing an integrated curriculum incorporating focused reflection, interaction, and discussion. The IB Program was not designed for gifted learners, however, it includes a comprehensive curriculum for students who are highly motivated and who have demonstrated the ability to achieve academically.

Where may I obtain information on bus transportation to GYSA?

HCPS provides bus transportation to and from the Gifted Young Scholar Academy at Wilder Middle School. Students offered admission will complete a transportation form.

Where may I obtain further information on GYSA?

The GYSA website provides information on the diverse opportunities offered at the school.

If I have questions regarding the selection process for GYSA, whom should I contact?

Any questions can be sent to the following members of the GYSA Admission Team:

Catherine Kelly: Gifted Lead Teacher, Henrico County Public Schools
Email: cekelly@henrico.k12.va.us

Jane Williams: GYSA Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools
Email: jhwillia@henrico.k12.va.us

Gifted Young Scholars Academy