Middle School Special Programs

Middle School Specialty Centers

Do you have a special interest, passion, or talent that you’d like to explore more deeply?

Henrico County Public Schools offers middle school specialty centers designed to give students the chance to focus their learning in unique areas. These programs, located at six of our middle schools, provide exciting opportunities to dive into subjects you care about while challenging yourself with advanced coursework.

As you think about your future, middle school specialty centers can help you build a strong foundation. Alongside the excellent academic programs at all Henrico middle schools, specialty programs allow you to grow your talents, explore new interests, and prepare for success in high school and beyond.

Application Support

The application window opens at 9 a.m. on Sept. 11 and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 6.

Visit the application portal at, henricoschools.schoolmint.com

Support and Questions

Download Middle School Comparison Chart

Additional Information

The Henrico County Public Schools Department of Middle School Education is dedicated to fostering the academic and personal growth of students in grades 6-8. With a rigorous curriculum designed to challenge and inspire, students are encouraged to reach their full potential. The department offers numerous elective options, allowing students to explore their interests and develop new skills. Central to this approach is the Henrico Learner Profile, which emphasizes durable skills such as character, citizenship, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creative thinking. By providing engaging and relevant experiences, the department ensures that students are well-prepared for future academic endeavors and life beyond the classroom.

Zoned School

A zoned school is the school your child is assigned to attend based on your home address. Henrico County sets school boundaries, or “attendance zones,” to make sure schools have the right balance of students, space, and programs. These boundaries are reviewed and adjusted by the School Board when needed.

Ranking

When applying, families can rank programs in order of preference: first choice, second choice, and third choice. If your child is offered a seat in a higher-ranked program, lower-ranked choices are automatically declined. Ranking helps ensure students are placed in the program that best matches their top preferences.

Transferring

Special programs are located at specific schools. If your child is accepted into one of these programs, they may need to transfer to a different middle school instead of attending the school for which they are zoned by address. In this case, your child becomes a full-time student at the program school, receives bus transportation there, and participates in all classes, clubs, sports, and activities at that school.

SchoolMint Application Ranking System

When your child applies, they can rank up to 3 programs:

  • 1st choice = Top preference

  • 2nd choice = Back-up option

  • 3rd choice = Still interested, but less than 1st or 2nd

What Happens After the Lottery/Evaluation Process?

You will see one of three results on January 6, 2026 in the SchoolMint portal:

  • Selected – Your child is offered a seat in the program.

  • Not Selected – Your child was not offered a seat.

  • Waitlisted – Your child is on the waitlist. They may be offered a seat later if other students decline.

If your child is selected/offered one or more seats
 ➡ You must either accept one seat or decline all offers.
 ➡ Any offers you do not accept will be automatically declined

If your child is waitlisted
 ➡ You can accept or decline the waitlist
➡ If your child is later offered or accepts a seat in a higher-ranked program, their spot on lower-ranked waitlists will be automatically declined.

Important Deadlines

Middle School Programs: Accept or Decline offers by January 27, 2026

  • If you do not respond by the deadline, any offers will be declined automatically.

Waitlists

  • Students may remain on the waitlist for higher-ranked programs until February 6, 2026.

  • After February 6, 2026, students who have not accepted a seat in any program may continue on the waitlist until August 4, 2026.

  • Families will be notified if a seat becomes available.

  • Waitlist numbers are not displayed.

Key Tip for Families

Rank programs in the true order of your child’s interest.
That way, if a higher choice becomes available, they have the opportunity to move into it.