Application Information

HCPS has a total of 100 allocated student slots (grade 6) at GYSA.

The criteria used to determine eligibility are: 

• Student must be identified for gifted services in the area of General Intellectual Aptitude by the end of 4th grade*
• Student must be in good academic standing.

Due to the advanced rigor, depth, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature of the overall program, we require students to meet the criteria for General Intellectual Aptitude (Math and Language Arts).

Students must be identified as gifted in the area of General Intellectual Aptitude and must be attending 5th grade in Henrico County Public Schools to apply. Students not identified must be enrolled and attending a HCPS School in their 4th grade year or earlier in order to be referred for gifted services.

A lottery system will be used to select 100 students for GYSA. Students who meet the criteria and fill out an application will be entered into the application pool. Using the lottery system, 10 students from each magisterial district will be selected to fill the first 50 slots. All remaining applicants will be placed into a general pool and the final 50 slots will be filled- again using the lottery system. Any students that are not selected will be placed on a wait list in the order that the lottery system places them.  

Application responses will be sent directly through the SchoolMint platform in January.

All responses are due by Tuesday, January 26, 2027 in the SchoolMint platform. The wait list acceptance or decline for students designated as waitlist students are also due by Tuesday, January 26, 2027. 

If a student who is selected to participate in GYSA declines, then the next student on the waitlist will be notified via SchoolMint.

If a student has not accepted a position at another middle school program, he/she may remain on the GYSA waitlist through Monday, August 2, 2027.

If the student is interested in participating in the program that offers admission, the student should accept the offer. The student may choose to remain on the GYSA wait list until February 5, 2027.  After February 5, 2027, if the student has committed to another program, he/she will be removed from the GYSA waitlist. 

No, the available position will be offered to a student on the waitlist.  

Yes! All gifted students have access to gifted electives taught by gifted endorsed resource teachers and may enroll in advanced courses. These courses are available at all Henrico County middle schools.

No, applications are only accepted from a student during his/her fifth grade year.

The application process at these schools does not take into consideration placement in middle school programs.

GYSA will provide opportunities for leadership, inquiry-based learning, literary and scientific analysis, service learning, arts integration, and problem-based learning that focuses on topics of strength and interest. This comprehensive instructional program is designed around the cognitive characteristics and learning styles of gifted children, providing an integrated curriculum incorporating focused reflection, interaction, and discussion. The IB Program was not designed for gifted learners, however, it includes a comprehensive curriculum for students who are highly motivated and who have demonstrated the ability to achieve academically.

HCPS provides bus transportation to and from the Gifted Young Scholar Academy at Wilder Middle School.  Students offered admission will complete a transportation form.

This GYSA website provides information on the diverse opportunities offered at the school.  We will also host an Information Night on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Any questions can be sent to hcpsgifted@henrico.k12.va.us.