Richmond Public Schools

This website is the single platform for submitting all applications for preschool, K-12 schools, the open enrollment lottery, RPS specialty schools, and regional Governor’s schools, as well as for Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, and the Governor’s STEM Academy at RTC. If you still have questions after reading the information below, please contact enrollrps@rvaschools.net

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Enrollment Requirements - Click this link to read through RPS enrollment requirements.

What kinds of documents can I provide as Proof of Residency? Our full list of acceptable residency documents can be found on our Enrollment Document Requirements page.

How do I know what my zone schools are? Click on our School Locator Map and enter your address to find your zone schools

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K - 12 Enrollment

I already submitted an enrollment form for school year 2022-2023. How do I see the status? If you submitted an enrollment form or preschool application for the current school year 2022-2023, and it shows as "Submitted - In Processing", it is being reviewed by a staff member at your child's enrolling school (K-12) or a member of the Early Childhood Education Department (Pre-K). They will be in touch with any questions or next steps upon further review.

With questions about school applications or K-12 enrollment, please email enrollrps@rvaschools.net. With questions about preschool enrollment, please email preschool@rvaschools.net.

When I tried to fill out an enrollment form I got a pop-up that said I could not move forward because my student already had an account. How can I enroll my student? It is possible that there are multiple accounts either for the child or for the parent if anyone has tried to enroll the student in the past. Email enrollrps@rvaschools.net with your name, your child's name, and your child's birth date. We are happy to assist you!

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Preschool Enrollment

My child is a 4 year old. Should I apply for preschool or kindergarten? Virginia state law mandates that children must be five years old on or before September 30th of the school year to be eligible to attend kindergarten. For more information on Richmond Public Schools' residency and enrollment policies, visit our Enrollment page. To be eligible for the RPS preschool program, children must meet eligibility requirements. To learn more information about these requirements and the RPS Preschool enrollment application process, visit our Preschool Enrollment website.

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Specialty Schools, Governor's Schools, and Open Enrollment

How do I apply to an out-of-zone school for school year 2023-2024? School applications for school year 2023-2024 are now closed. Families may apply to attend out-of-zone schools using the specialty school/governor's school application, or open enrollment. To learn more about these application processes, visit www.rvaschools.net/enroll.

School application deadlines for school year 2023-2024 were as follows:

Specialty Schools – December 1, 2022 at 4:30PM

Governor's Schools – December 1, 2022 at 4:30PM (Maggie L. Walker Governor's School and Appomattox Regional Governor's School. CodeRVA applications open January 2, 2023. For information, visit their website)

Open Enrollment – February 1, 2022 at 4:30PM

Application results are scheduled for release on March 10, 2023.

Late applications will be added to their respective waitlist in the order they are submitted.

What is the difference between Specialty Schools, Governor's Schools, Open Enrollment, and Charter Schools?

Specialty School Applications
While all Students who attend RPS are provided courses emphasizing challenging and meaningful learning experiences, students who attend RPS specialty schools at the middle and high school levels receive challenging and meaningful learning experiences in smaller, more specialized schools than the comprehensive middle and high schools. It is expected, not just encouraged, that students attending specialty schools enroll in Advanced Placement courses, dual enrollment programs, and earn an advanced studies diploma while engaging in community service to better the world around them.

These schools include Franklin Military Academy, Open High School, Richmond Community High School, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Thomas Jefferson High School (for rising 11th graders).

Visit the RPS Specialty Schools page to learn more.

Governor's School Applications
The RPS school application process includes Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies and Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology.

Visit the Regional Governor's School page to learn more about these programs.

Open Enrollment
Richmond City Public Schools’ lottery process - open enrollment - offers school choice for students who want to attend a school outside of their residential zone.

Students may apply to up to three out-of-zone schools based on grade eligibility. Seat offers are determined via a random lottery that is run each spring. Open enrollment seats vary by school and grade depending upon school capacity, staff, and in-zone enrollment.

Charter Schools and Specialty Programs
Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts (PHSSA), Virginia’s first charter elementary school, is a Richmond Public School serving approximately 350 Richmond students. Admission to PHSSA is determined via a random lottery. Eligible students (rising K through 5th grade) may apply to the PHSSA in addition to a maximum of three open enrollment schools.

The Governor’s Career and Technical Education Academy for STEM at Richmond Technical Center (RTC) is a part-time four-year program for rising 9th graders which offers Richmond Public School students a rigorous academic and technical program of study in two career pathways, either Engineering & Technology or Therapeutic Services. Rising 9th grade students are eligible to apply; accepted students must attend an RPS high school in order to enroll in the Governor’s STEM Academy at RTC.

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