School Applications

What is open enrollment?
Open enrollment refers to the process of applying to a school zoned for an address other than the physical address in which the student currently resides, also referred to as an “out-of-zone” school. The open enrollment process is designed to give parents an option to choose from schools that may more closely align with the needs of their child or children. 

Who can participate in open enrollment?
Any Richmond City resident, including students who do not currently attend Richmond Public Schools, may apply to schools via open enrollment.

How does the open enrollment lottery work?
Families submit open enrollment applications in Enroll RPS (www.attendrvaschools.com) by providing basic information about their child and indicating their school selections. Applications are reviewed for eligibility before being entered into the lottery system.

A randomized lottery algorithm determines the rank order of students for each school and grade level. If seats are available, students receiving seats receive an email notification and have ten (10) business days to accept or decline the seat. Students who do not receive a seat are automatically placed on a waiting list. If a seat becomes available after the initial lottery run, notifications are sent via email. 

My child attends a school through a previous open enrollment lottery. Do they need to reapply?
No. Students who are already enrolled at an RPS school via a previous year's open enrollment lottery do not need to reapply to attend that school next year, or for any additional year within the school's grade range (i.e., grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12).

How many schools can I apply to? 
Families may apply for up to three schools through open enrollment. (There is no limit to the number of specialty schools and /or governor's schools to which a student may apply. Students may only apply to specialty schools for which they are eligible). Families may also apply to Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts in addition to open enrollment choices, if eligible (grades K-5).

What school zone do I live in?
Each residence in the city of Richmond has a zone school at the elementary (K-5), middle (6-8), and high school (9-12) level. Your zone school is based upon the physical address where you live. Visit our school locator to use your address to identify your current zone schools.

Information about RPS's residency policy is available on our Board Docs website. 

Can I apply to comprehensive high schools via open enrollment?
Yes. Students who will be in high school in school year 2023-2024 can apply to attend a comprehensive high school other than their zone school via open enrollment.

How are siblings prioritized in the open enrollment lottery?
When applying to the lottery, siblings must be submitted as separate lottery entries. There may be instances where one sibling is admitted to an out-of-zone school and the other sibling is not. However, twins or multiple births are prioritized together in their lottery entries (separate applications must be submitted) such that if one twin receives a seat, the other will also.

Students whose sibling(s) attend an out-of-zone school via open enrollment from a previous year are prioritized in the lottery. Admission for the sibling who is new to the out-of-zone school will be contingent on available space at the requested school at the requested grade level. Additionally, the already enrolled student must remain enrolled for the application year. For example, a rising kindergarten student whose sibling is a 5th grader attending an out-of-zone elementary school will not be prioritized in the lottery, as their older sibling will move to middle school the following year.

When does the open enrollment application window close?
Open enrollment applications for school year 2022-2023 must be submitted in Enroll RPS (www.attendrvaschools.com) by Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 4:30 PM.

I am an RPS employee and want my child to attend an out-of-zone school. What are my next steps?
Richmond School Board Policy 8-2.6 states that parents or guardians of dependent children who are full-time employees of RPS and do not live in Richmond City may enroll their child in an RPS school after RPS has met all local, state, and federal requirements regarding the enrollment of resident children, including exhausting all open enrollment options.

Parents or guardians of dependent children who are full-time employees of RPS and do live in Richmond City must enter the open enrollment process as any other Richmond resident student.

The full text of this policy is below:

"Subject to the approval of the division superintendent or his/her designee, parents or guardians of dependent children who are full-time employees of Richmond Public Schools and who are not residents of the City of Richmond may enroll their children in Richmond Public Schools on a tuition waived basis, subject to the availability of space, as determined after Richmond Public Schools has met all local, state and federal requirements regarding the enrollment of resident children, including fully exhausting all open enrollment options. This shall not be deemed to include alternative public school programs for which Richmond Public Schools is assessed per pupil tuition. Any children of an employee attending a Richmond Public Schools facility through placement made prior to January 4, 2010, may continue in that placement through the terminal grade offered at that school.

Parents or guardians of dependent children who are full-time employees of Richmond Public Schools seeking enrollment in an out-of-zone school with limited space availability and who are residents of the City of Richmond will be entered into the open enrollment process as any other student who parents are residents of the city would do, or, in the case of specialty or alternative programs, enter the prescribed admissions process for that placement."

How do I accept a seat offer? 
If your child was offered a seat for a particular school, the status row will read "Offered Placement". Additionally, you will see "Accept Seat" or "Decline Seat" buttons that will allow you to indicate your decision. To accept a seat, simply click "Accept Seat".

My child received multiple seat offers. Can I accept more than one?
No. Students can only accept one seat offer; however, students may elect to remain on the waitlist at multiple schools. The decision to accept an initial seat offer will not remove a student from other waitlists, or decline any pending offers, but will automatically decline any previously accepted seats. 

What if my child is not offered a seat at any school for which they applied?
If a student is not offered a seat at any school for which they applied (either via the open enrollment lottery or through the specialty school application process), the student must attend their zone school.

If I receive an offer from the waitlist, what are my next steps?
If you were originally on a waitlist but later receive a seat offer, you may accept that seat offer by logging into the Enroll RPS portal and selecting "Accept Placement". Doing so will decline any previously accepted offer, if applicable.

I was waitlisted last year at the school of my choice. Do I need to reapply?
Yes. If you would like for your child to attend an out-of-zone school, and you did not accept a seat offer for the current school year, you must reapply for school year 2023-2024. Waitlists do not carry over year to year.

Is transportation provided if my child accepts an open enrollment seat?
Transportation is not provided for students attending a school through open enrollment. Transportation for students admitted to RPS specialty schools or regional governor's schools receive transportation through a hub system, except for Open High School.

What RPS schools are considered specialty schools and have an application process for admission? 
Applications must be completed for admission to the following schools:

• Franklin Military Academy (rising 6th through 12th grade students may apply)
• Open High School (rising 9th and 10th grade students may apply)
• Richmond Community High School (rising 9th and 10th grade students may apply)
• The Governor's STEM Academy at Richmond Technical Center (rising 9th-grade students may apply)
• The IB Diploma Programme at Thomas Jefferson High School (rising 11th-grade students may apply)

While applications to the Governor's STEM Academy live in the Enroll RPS portal, admission results will be shared by the school team outside of that system. Students must attend an RPS high school to attend the Governor's STEM Academy at RTC.

Can students currently in grades 9, 10, and 11 apply to specialty schools?
Specialty schools allow students in the above grade to apply depending upon the nature of the program, space in the cohort, size of the building, and teacher/student ratios, among other factors taken into consideration. The number of seats in higher grades may vary from year to year at each school.

Who can submit specialty school applications?
Any Richmond City resident, including students who do not currently attend Richmond Public Schools, may apply to schools via the specialty school application process.

What are the components of the specialty school application?
Students will complete a 'common application' where common application elements will be shared across all schools. The short answer, essay, and two (2) teacher recommendations will be used for every school to which a student applies.

My child attends a specialty school through a prior year application. Do they need to reapply?
No. Students who are already enrolled at an RPS specialty school via a previous year's application process do not need to reapply to attend that school next year. However, Franklin Military Academy eighth graders wishing to continue at the school in 9th grade must apply for the Franklin Military Academy High School program.

How many schools can I apply to?
There is no limit to the number of specialty schools to which a student may apply, though students may only apply to specialty schools for which they are eligible.

Is transportation provided if my child accepts a specialty school seat?
Yes. Transportation for students admitted to RPS specialty schools or regional governor's schools receive transportation through a hub system, except at Open High School. At Open High School, families are responsible for their own transportation, and many students take the GRTC. All RPS high school students are eligible to receive a free GRTC bus pass. 

How do I accept a seat offer? 
If your child was offered a seat for a particular school, the status row will read "Offered Placement". Additionally, you will see "Accept Seat" or "Decline Seat" buttons that will allow you to indicate your decision. To accept a seat, simply click "Accept Seat".

My child received multiple seat offers. Can I accept more than one?
No. Students can only accept one seat offer; however, students may elect to remain on the waitlist at multiple schools. The decision to accept an initial seat offer will not remove a student from other waitlists.

What if my child is not offered a seat at any school for which they applied?
If a student is not offered a seat at any school for which they applied (either via the open enrollment lottery or through the specialty school application process), the student must attend their zone school.

If I receive an offer from the waitlist, what are my next steps?
If a student was originally on a waitlist but later receives a seat offer, they may accept that seat offer by logging into the Enroll RPS portal and selecting "Accept Placement". Doing so will decline any previously accepted offer, if applicable. Families will receive an email notifying them of any changes to their student's waitlist status and will have 10 business days to make an acceptance decision from the date of receiving the email.

Can I appeal a specialty school decision?
Yes. If you wish to file an appeal to a specialty school application decision, you may file an appeal by contacting the principal of the specific school. Appeal requests must be shared with the appropriate school team in writing (via email or otherwise) no later than Friday, March 24, 4:30 PM.

How many Richmond City students were offered admission for the 2021-2022 9th grade class?   
The number of 12th-grade students graduating, internal transfers, and any student(s) not returning in the fall of 2021 determines the number of entering 9th graders. Richmond City has a total of 85 allocated positions (grades 9 – 12) at Appomattox Regional Governor’s School. RPS has approximately 30 slots available for rising 9th graders for 2023-2024; this number fluctuates from year to year depending upon returning upperclassmen and slots purchased by the RPS School Board.

How many Richmond City students applied to ARGS for the 2022-2023 9th grade class?
97.

Who determines the total number of Governor’s School positions allocated to Richmond City?
The Regional Board, comprised of a School Board member from each of the participating school divisions, establishes the number of positions allocated to each school division.

What does alternate status mean? 
If a student offered admission declines, then the next student on the waiting list is notified via letter/email notification offering admission. Students on the waiting list are ranked according to the student’s composite score in their focus area (dance, instrumental music, literary arts, musical theatre, technology, theatre, visual arts, and vocal music).

How many Richmond City students are on the waiting list (alternate status)? 
Forty students have been designated as alternates. This number represents the strongest candidates in each focus area. 

Is the ranking on the waiting list for Richmond City students released to parents and schools?
The ranking of alternate status, as well as the ranking of students offered admission, remains confidential. However, parents may call (804)-664-7656 to inquire about the ranking of their child under each focus area or email enrollrps@rvaschools.net.

If a student with alternate status receives a letter offering admission to another program (e.g. Maggie Walker, Richmond Community High School, Open High School, or Franklin Military Academy, etc.), what should the student do? 
If the student is interested in participating in the program that offers admission, the student is advised to accept the offer. If the student is offered admission to ARGS at a later date, the student may withdraw from the program initially selected and accept the offer to attend ARGS.

What criteria are used in determining student selection? 
Two recommendations, grades (core areas from the 1st semester of 7th grade and the 1st semester of 8th grade), rigor (assessment of the student’s participation in a rigorous program of studies at the middle school level), a writing sample, an interview, and audition/portfolio review are used to determine the student’s composite score. 

How are applications evaluated? 
The Regional Selection Committee, composed of teams of educators representing each of the participating school divisions, and ARGS faculty members are trained to evaluate each portion of the student’s application. The Coordinator of Admissions and members of the Regional Core Committee, composed of gifted education program administrators representing the participating school divisions, oversee the evaluation process.

What are the maximum points a student can receive in each of the categories? (Applications for 2022-2023)

How do I accept a seat offer? 
If your child was offered a seat for a particular school, the status row will read "Offered Placement". Additionally, you will see "Accept Seat" or "Decline Seat" buttons that will allow you to indicate your decision. To accept a seat, simply click "Accept Seat".

How long do students remain on the waiting list?
Alternate status remains in effect from the issuance of admissions letters through the end of the first semester of the freshman year. 

Are students with alternate status offered the opportunity to “shadow” a student at the Governor’s School?
Students offered admission and alternates are allowed to attend “The ARGS Experience” on March 21, 2023, for accepted students and March 24, 2023, for students on the waitlist (i.e., alternates).    

When is the due date for students offered admission? 
Students must indicate in the Enroll RPS portal whether they accept or decline their offers to ARGS no later than March 27, 2023, scan their intent forms to Enroll RPS,  and email a copy to Lynn Pleveich, Coordinator, Programs for Gifted & Talented, lpleveic@rvaschools.net.  

Where may I obtain information on bus transportation to the Governor’s School?   
Students attending ARGS will have bus routes posted at the high schools, and the bus routes are printed in the newspaper in late summer. If you need further assistance you may visit the RPS transportation page.

If a student who is offered admission declines the offer, can the student enter the Governor’s School at a later time? 
No, a student on the waiting list will fill the available position.

May students reapply for admission? 
No, applications are only accepted from students during their eighth-grade year according to the timeline stated in the ARGS Admissions packet online.

If I am not currently an RPS student and have accepted admission to Appomattox Regional Governor’s School as a Richmond resident, do I have to register as an RPS student?
Yes, all city residents that are not RPS students must register on the Enroll RPS portal after accepting a seat at ARGS. Proof of residency is required. Please direct enrollment questions to enrollrps@rvaschools.net. 

Where may I obtain further information on the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School? 
The ARGS website provides information on the diverse opportunities offered.

What are the Appomattox Regional Governor's School hours?  
Classes begin at 8:30 AM and end at 3:30 PM.

How many Richmond City students will be offered admission for the 2022-2023 9th grade class? 
60. The number of 12th grade students graduating, internal transfers, and any student(s) not returning in the fall of 2023 determines the number of entering 9th graders. Richmond City anticipates approximately 220 allocated seats (grades 9-12) at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Approximately 60 seats will be offered to rising 9th graders for the 2023-2024 school year.

How many Richmond City students applied to MLWGS for the 2022-2023 9th grade class? 
250.

Who determines the total number of Governor’s School positions allocated to Richmond City?
The Regional Board, comprised of a School Board member from each of the participating school divisions, establishes the number of positions allocated to each school division.

How many Richmond City students are on the waiting list (alternate status)? 
Fifty-eight students have been designated as alternates for 2022-2023.

Is the ranking on the waiting list for Richmond City students released to parents and schools?
The ranking of the alternate status will be available to parents/guardians on Enroll RPS (www.attendrvaschools.com) and through the Programs for the Gifted & Talented. Once the portal closes, the waitlist will be managed by the Programs of Gifted & Talented office and Enroll RPS. Students will be notified if they are selected by phone or email.

If a student with alternate status receives a letter offering admission to another program (e.g., Appomattox Governor’s School, Open High, Community High, or Franklin Military Academy, etc.), what should the student do?
If the student is interested in participating in the program that offers admission, the student is advised to accept the offer. If the student is offered admission to the MLWGS at a later date, the student may withdraw from the program initially selected and accept the offer to attend. 

What criteria are used to determine student selection? 
Two recommendations, grades (core areas from the 1st semester of 7th grade and the 1st semester of 8th grade), rigor (assessment of the student’s participation in a rigorous program of studies offered at the middle school level, a standardized ability test, and 2 writing samples, are used to determine the student’s total score.

How are applications evaluated?
The Regional Selection Committee, composed of teams of educators representing each of the participating school divisions, are trained to evaluate each portion of the student’s application. The Coordinator of Admissions and members of the Regional Planning Committee, comprised of gifted education program administrators representing the participating school divisions, oversee the evaluation process.

Comparisons should be avoided as student selection is based on the overall strength of the application. 

When is the due date for students offered admission?
Students need to respond to their offers no later than March 24, 2023 by 11:59 PM. 

Students must indicate in the Enroll RPS portal whether they accept or decline their offers to MLWGS no later than March 25, 2023, scan their intent forms to Enroll RPS,  and email a copy to Lynn Pleveich, Coordinator, Programs for Gifted & Talented, lpleveic@rvaschools.net.  

How long do students remain on the waiting list?    
Alternate status remains in effect from the issuance of admissions letters through the end of the first semester of their 9th grade year.

Are students with alternate status offered the opportunity to “shadow” a student at the Governor’s School? 
Yes. Students on the admitted and alternate status lists are allowed to experience Future Dragon Day on the MLWGS campus on March 23, 2023.

Where may I obtain information on bus transportation to the Governor’s School?
Students attending MLWGS will have bus routes posted at their high schools, as well as on the RPS transportation page. 

If a student who is offered admission declines the offer, can the student enter the Governor’s School at a later time?
No. A student on the waitlist will fill the available position. 

May students reapply for admission?
No. Applications are only accepted from students during their eighth-grade year according to the timeline stated in the MLWGS Admissions Handbook. 

Where may I obtain further information about Maggie L. Walker Governor's School?
The MLWGS website provides information on the diverse opportunities offered. 

What are Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School's hours?  
Classes begin at 8:40 AM and end at 3:15 PM.

If I am not currently an RPS student and have accepted admission to Maggie L Walker Governor’s School as a Richmond resident, do I have to register as an RPS student?
Yes, all city residents that are not RPS students must register on the Enroll RPS portal at Enroll RPS (www.attendrvaschools.com) after accepting a seat at ARGS. Proof of residency is required. Please direct enrollment questions to enrollrps@rvaschools.net