Henrico County Public Schools provides a unified process and timeline for specialty-center applications. All information can be found on the HCPS website for Specialty Centers.

Application website for residents of Henrico County, who are 8th grade students enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools.

Application for residents of Henrico County, who are 8th grade students not currently enrolled in Henrico County Public Schools.

Please reference other websites to learn how each specialty center establishes its own criteria based on specific curricula and other factors to determine eligibility for enrollment into their center.

Applications will be evaluated on:

• Strength of submitted application, including two letters of recommendation (math, technology or science teachers recommendations preferred)

• High academic performance indicated through grade transcripts and standardized test scores, with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Competitive performance on the specialty center assessments and the CIT writing prompt (submitted with the application).

• Demonstrated interest in IT/computer science activities.

• Completion of Algebra I with as a full year course prior to the end of their 8th grade year.

• Demonstration of the qualities of the ideal candidate.

The Center for Information Technology seeks students who have a strong desire to participate in a rigorous course of study in Information Technology/Computer Science. This is an immersion program and all CIT classes center around these topics. The CIT receives an abundant amount of applications each year, and the applications with the qualities below will have a higher chance of being accepted.

Good students who:

• Possess a genuine interest in information technology and computer science.

• Demonstrate strong mathematics skills.

• Have achieved high academic performance.

• Take initiative in leadership roles and responsibilities.

• Are willing and able to adapt to changes.

• Work effectively in teams and independently.

• Have effective communication skills.