ACE Center Application Process
Read the directions and timeline below then select the link for your grade level to complete your online ACE Application. If at any time you need assistance, please contact the ACE Center you are applying to for help. (Contact numbers are listed at the bottom of the page.)
Click here to see what classes are offered at our ACE Centers then return here to complete your application!
Student Application Directions:
- Students will select the appropriate application based on their grade level:
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Middle School Applicants |
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Middle School Applicants |
Opening 10/2/23 |
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Accepted ACE Centers Students |
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Selection Form for 10th grade ACE students |
Opening 11/13/23 |
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*NEW* Selection Form for 9th grade ACE students |
Opening 11/13/23 |
*NOTE: Early admittance in 10th grade is based on availability and requirements by program. Not available for all programs.
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High School Applicants |
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High School Applicants |
Re-Opening 12/09/23 |
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Alternative HS Applications by Language |
Spanish: Click here Arabic: Click here |
*NOTE: Students accepted in 8th grade should use one of the selection forms shown
2. Once you are ready to begin, click on the application link above that matches your grade level. Be sure that you are logged into your HCPS Google account. NOTE: If you were accepted as an 8th grade student to the ACE Center there is no need to reapply. Students previously accepted should use the selection form link above to designate program selection for the upcoming school year. If a program is not selected using this form, we cannot guarantee a spot after the due dates have passed.
3. Complete your personal contact information and school information. Take your time and double-check your email address and contact phone numbers for accuracy. Your notification letter will be sent to the email address you entered. Students should use their HCPS email for contact.
4. Select the program you want to apply for on the next page.
5. In the last section of this application, you will answer a series of questions that are intended to communicate your interests and goals.
6. Once you are satisfied with your responses, you will submit your application. Remember, there is only ONE submission per student.
7. Congratulations, you have now officially applied to the ACE Center!
Selection Process:
New in the 24-25 application cycle, ACE Centers will be using a LOTTERY selection process where all eligible students will be randomly selected to fill all our programs. Eligible students are students who had successfully passed 5 or more courses the year prior to advance to the next grade level. Current 10th or 11th grade students accepted in their 8th grade year and Allied Health Speciality Center students are prioritized for placement into the program of their choice. In a two year program, juniors have priority for open seats. Additionally this year, for select programs, we will extend acceptance into programs identified by previously accepted 8th grade students who are in their 9th grade year if there’s room in their schedule (verified by the homeschool counselor). High Tech, Practical Nursing, and Teacher Apprentice will follow their separate admissions process as required by the accrediting outside organization.
Timeline:
October 2nd – Application is available online on the Specialty Center and CTE websites
October 11th – Open House for all ACE Centers (Hosted by the ACE Center at Hermitage) from 7-9pm for all interested 8th graders, high school students and families.
November 1st – Previously accepted 8th grade selection form due for new students
November 9th -15th – High school visits to the ACE Centers during the school day
November 20th – Application deadline for both 8th grade applicants AND high school applicants
December 9th – Application re-opens. All applications submitted on or after this date will be placed on a waiting list and will be reviewed/notified on a rolling basis as openings become available after January 27th. Students who have already applied do NOT need to reapply; they should contact their home school counselor to learn about which programs have openings. First time applicants should apply for consideration to the open programs.
January 26th – High school students and middle school students notified via email of acceptance status
February 10th – Eighth grade students submit acceptance notification to Mrs. Bishop (Associate Principal at the ACE Center at Hermitage), with details of how to do so explained in the January 27th email. High school students (10th or 11th grade) must notify their home school counselor of their intent for attending the ACE Center next school year.
January 27 – May 31– Students who applied after December 1st will be considered for openings on a rolling basis as they become available. During this time period, priority for remaining openings is given to students who applied by the initial deadline who were originally not selected.
April 16th – Eighth grade students will be added to a Schoology group for the “ACE Center Class of 2028” (This group is used to communicate with the students about events that will take place during their freshman and sophomore years.)
NOTE: New applications will NOT be accepted after the first week of the school year. Students enrolling after the first week have typically missed the equivalent to 15 class periods of a standard course and have a difficult time catching up.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make changes after I submit?
Students who want to make an application change PRIOR to the application window closing can communicate this request with their home school counselor, who will collaborate with the ACE Center counselor to process the change. After the initial window closes, changes cannot be processed until AFTER the first round of applications have been reviewed.
All applications submitted before the deadline of December 1st are processed first and letters are forwarded through email on January 27th regarding the status of the application. After January 27th, we will begin reviewing the applications that were submitted during the rolling admissions process on a first-come, first-serve basis. When the application re-opens for rolling admissions, programs that had a high number of applicants will no longer be available to select.
- Can I apply to ACE if I am not currently enrolled as a Henrico County Public Schools student but plan to transfer to the school system before the year begins?
- No, only Henrico County Public School students are eligible to apply to ACE. We do have a rolling admissions process for programs with openings and you are welcome to apply once you have enrolled in the division.
Contact Information:
ACE Center at Hermitage – 804.756.3020
Russell Lewis, Counseling Director – rwlewis@henrico.k12.va.us
ACE Center at Highland Springs – 804.328.4075
Paula Harris, Counseling Director – pmharris@henrico.k12.va.us
ACE Center at Virginia Randolph – 804.261.5090
Mike Fennessey, Associate Principal – mffennessey@henrico.k12.va.us