Applying and Accepting ACA

How to Apply

Applications are available through the HCPS Specialty Center page beginning October 2, 2023. Applications close November 20, 2023.

From the Specialty Center Page, students may click on the following options.

  • HCPS applicants log into the online application
  • Non-HCPS applicants download the application PDF and register for applicant testing
  • Any questions regarding testing for private or home schooled students can be emailed to Lesley Brown lybrown1@henrico.k12.va.us

Non-HCPS applicants: please return completed application, essay, 7th grade and MP1 of 8th grade transcripts* and references to:

J R Tucker High School
2910 North Parham Road
Ms. Sheralyne Tierseron
ACA Program Director
Henrico, VA 23294

*Non-HCPS Transcripts – please submit twice; once with the application and a second time after fall semester grades are added.

How to Accept

Student Response Overview:

  • The student response window is scheduled to open on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 4:30 PM.
  • All Tucker ACA applicants will receive an email
  • HCPS applicants respond online
  • Non-HCPS applicants respond to the Tucker ACA email.
  • Students have the option to Accept or Not Accept an offer for any Selected and/or Waitlisted statuses.
    • Students may accept one offer of acceptance and one offer of waitlist.
    • Students may accept, instead, two offers of waitlist if not selected at a center
  • Any Not Selected statuses listed do not require a response.
  • The student response window is scheduled to close on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 11:59 PM
  • Waitlisted students, who accepted to remain on the waitlist, will be contacted about available seats February 20 – 23

All accepted students will receive an email (to the application email provided) containing our student handbook, course request sheet for 9th grade and other documents to return as part of your acceptance.

Step by Step Directions for HCPS Students:

  1. Access the Specialty Center page
  2. Students will login using their HCPS Credentials. Note: Parent/Guardian credentials for the PowerSchool Parent Portal will not work for this site.  Only student credentials have proper access at this time.
  3. Once on the Home Tab, select the Student Response Tab to review all center statuses.
  4. Students, before you begin, please review the instructions at the top of the online acceptance page.
  • There are three possible statuses: Selected, Not Selected, and Waitlisted.
    1. Selected – requires a response.
    2. Not Selected – does not require a response.
    3. Waitlisted – requires a response.
  • There are two possible responses: Accept or Did not Accept.
  • Students have the option to Accept or Not Accept an offer for any Selected and/or Waitlisted statuses. If you see a Not Selected, no response is required.  Note: once the student accepts an offer or waitlist offer at one center, all other centers with that status will default to Not Accept.
  • The student response window is scheduled to close on Friday, February 16, 2024. If you have questions or concerns, please see your middle school counselor.

Staying on the Waitlist

  • Students who choose to remain on the ACA waitlist will be contacted to offer a seat or to inform that no seats remain.
  • When an offer is made to a wait-list candidate, they have 24 hours to accept or decline the offer. If not response is made, a decline is presumed and the seat is given to the next wait-listed student.
  • All wait-list decisions will be concluded by Friday, February 23, 2024 4 PM