Skip to main content

Advance College Academy for Business Administration

Application Information

Applicant Selection Criteria

Open House: Oct. 1, 2025 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Highland Springs High School Auditorium

Each cohort consists of 75 students who have demonstrated the greatest potential for success based on the following criteria:

  • Algebra I in middle school 
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA from all classes (7th grade year & 8th grade Q1).
  • Results of math and reading tests taken at school.
  • Evaluation of mechanics and substance of writing sample done at school.
  • Evaluation of written or video response to ACA prompt.
  • Strength of 2 recommendations.
  • School attendance (please note unusual circumstances).
  • Recommendation of the selection committee.

  • Student Response Overview:

    • The student response window is scheduled to open on Friday, February 13, 2026  at 4:30 PM.
    • HCPS applicants are expected to login to the online applicant program and submit responses through drop down selections.
    • Private and home schooled students must mail, email, or fax a letter of intent to the center director.
    • Students have the option to Accept or Not Accept an offer for any Selected and/or Waitlisted statuses.
    • The student response window is scheduled to close on Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM

    All accepted and waitlisted students will receive an email (to the application email) containing our student handbook, course request sheet for 9th grade, and other documents to return. Private and home-schooled students will, also, receive a letter of intent to return.

    Step by Step Directions for HCPS Students:

    Access Website at the following address: henricoschools.schoolmint.com

    • 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.
    • Once on the Home Tab, select the Student Response Tab to review all center statuses.
    • 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.
      • Selected – requires a response.
      • Not Selected – does not require a response.
      • 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 27, 2026. If you have questions or concerns, please see your middle school counselor.

    • 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, March 27, 2026