Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced that eighth-grade families are invited to attend upcoming information fairs and open houses. These events aim to provide insights into specialty centers, governor’s schools, and regional technology school options.
According to a news release by CCPS, the online application portal for these educational programs is open from October 1 to December 5. Chesterfield County eighth graders can explore high school options at an informational fair on October 8 at Monacan High School. This event will feature all specialty centers and regional schools. Additionally, a series of open houses will commence on October 14, showcasing institutions such as the Governor’s Academy for Health Professions and Therapies, CodeRVA Regional High School, International Baccalaureate programs at Meadowbrook and Midlothian high schools, Meadowbrook Academy for Developing Entrepreneurs, and Appomattox Regional Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology.
CCPS allows eighth graders to apply to these specialized programs to pursue focused academic interests within a comprehensive high school curriculum. Applications are completed in the fall and often require prerequisites. The selection process uses scoring rubrics that may include standardized tests to evaluate students based on academic, social, and emotional skills.
Admission is determined by program capacity through a two-phase system. In Phase 1, top candidates from each middle school are offered seats based on class size allocations. Phase 2 fills remaining slots, including those on waitlists. Students must accept offers within a designated two-week window; unaccepted offers are automatically declined, though students may remain on waitlists while considering other programs.
Chesterfield County Public Schools serves over 64,000 students across 67 schools with a $1 billion budget and full accreditation. The district reports a 91% on-time graduation rate with approximately 4,700 graduates annually who receive millions in scholarship awards. It includes seven National Blue Ribbon Schools, eight National ESEA Distinguished Schools, multiple Middle Schools to Watch, and 17 Virginia Index of Performance awardees. Each year, buses travel nine million miles; over nine million meals are served; and students use more than 64,000 devices. Governed by a five-member School Board, CCPS follows the strategic plan “Imagine Beyond Tomorrow” to promote lifelong learning, personal growth, and college- and career-ready graduates.
