In addition to the broad spectrum of programs in each comprehensive high school, Chesterfield County Public Schools offers high school students the opportunity to focus on special interests. Specialty centers provide unique opportunities for students to explore special interests within a fully comprehensive high school setting. Specialty center students are encouraged to take advantage of unique learning opportunities and to develop their academic, social and emotional growth.

During eighth grade, students who are residents of Chesterfield County decide if they would like to apply to one or more specialty centers, governor’s schools, or the regional high school for computer science. Students are eligible to apply to specialty centers and regional governor’s schools once, which is during the fall of their 8th grade year. If a student successfully completes the 8th grade and then chooses to delay entry into high school or repeats the 8th grade for any reason, they are not eligible to apply again. Offers of admission are made the spring of their 8th grade year, and accepted students begin at the specialty center in the fall of their 9th grade year. Applicants are only accepted as rising freshmen because the course of study is a four-year curriculum.