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.
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Get more information: International Baccalaureate
Application: Henrico Schoolmint
Application Timeline
Date Details Thursday, September 10, 2026 Application is available online @ 9:00 AM, visit Henricos Schoolmint Thursday, September 10, 2026 Open House at Fairfield MS
(Session 1: 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Session 2: 5:30-6:30 p.m.)Wednesday, September 15, 2026 Open House at Tuckahoe MS
(Session 1: 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Session 2: 5:30-6:30 p.m.)Thursday, September 17, 2026 Open House at George H. Moody MS
(Session 1: 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Session 2: 6:00-7:00 p.m.)Monday, October 5, 2026 Deadline for applications (online) November 5, 2026 HCPS school counselors administer the writing prompt to HCPS students
HCPS Central Office staff administers the writing prompt to Non-HCPS applicants
November 13, 2026 HCPS school counselors administer the make-up writing prompt
HCPS Central Office staff administers the make-up writing prompt to Non-HCPS applicants
TBD
-Math/WritingApplication evaluation by committee Friday, January 8, 2027 Application responses sent TBD IBMYP Guided Tours for Fairfield MS, George H. Moody MS, and Tuckahoe MS for Accepted and Waitlisted Students. TBD IBMYP Guided Tours for Fairfield MS, George H. Moody MS, and Tuckahoe MS for Accepted and Waitlisted Students. TBD Deadline for Appeals Requests (not accepted and waitlisted students) Friday, January 26, 2027 Deadline to submit IBMYP Admissions Agreement Friday, February 5, 2027 IB/GYSA/CFI waitlist final decisions. Students may not remain on the admissions list (accepted or waitlist) at more than one center. Monday, August 2, 2027 IB Waitlist Closes -
Get more information: Gifted Young Scholars Academy
Application: Henrico Schoolmint
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Center for Innovation at John Rolfe
Middle School Centers for Innovation
Application: Henrico Schoolmint
Application Process Timeline for 2027 - 2028
Date Details Thursday, September 10, 2026 Henrico Schoolmint application opens Thursday, September 15, 2026 CFI Information Night (In Person)
John Rolfe MS, 6:00-7:00 PMWednesday, September 23, 2026 CFI Information Night (In Person)
Quioccasin MS, 6:00-7:00 PMMonday, October 5, 2026 Online lottery application form due by 11:59 PM Friday, January 8, 2027 Lottery responses available via SchoolMint portal TBD Virtual Applicant Family Q & A, 6:00-7:00 PM Tuesday, January 26, 2027 Acceptance/Waitlist Forms due to CFI Coordinator by 4:00 PM Friday, February 5, 2027 Final day for students to remain on CFI waitlist if accepted to another middle school program (see FAQ document for additional information). Otherwise, students may stay on the CFI waitlist until Thursday, August 2, 2027.
Application Support
Visit the application portal at, Henrico Schoolmint
Support and Questions
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SchoolMint Support Families
24/7 support, please visit us here
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SchoolMint application questions
Please direct any to us here
HCPS MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM COMPARISON CHART
| Program | Center for Innovation at John Rolfe Middle School | Gifted Young Scholars Academy | Middle Years Programme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | John Rolfe Middle School (2024) Quioccasin Middle School (2026) |
L. Douglas Wilder Middle School | Fairfield Middle School Moody Middle School Tuckahoe Middle School |
| Target Group | STEM and entrepreneurial focused students (grades 6-8) | General Intellectual Aptitude (GIA) Gifted ID (grades 6-8) |
Engaged learners with curiosity and drive (grades 6-8) |
| Curriculum Style | Project-based, career-oriented | Advanced Academics, interdisciplinary | Inquiry-based, global, interdisciplinary |
| Application | Henrico Schoolmint Lottery based |
Henrico Schoolmint Lottery based |
Henrico Schoolmint Application evaluation |
| Key Features |
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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 8, 2027 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 26, 2027
- 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 5, 2027.
- After February 5, 2027, students who have not accepted a seat in any program may continue on the waitlist until August 2, 2027.
- 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.