Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

The Albemarle County Schools Health and Medical Sciences Academy's mission is to empower students for success, utilizing 21st century skills, while exploring health science career opportunities. The program will provide students a foundation for post-secondary education or workforce readiness in certified health related professions. Students will explore core content with technology through integrated projects, case studies, and focused learning experiences.

Where is the Health and Medical Sciences Academy located?

The Health and Medical Sciences Academy is located within Monticello High School.

How do I attend the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

There is an application process to attend the Health and Medical Sciences Academy. Applications become available the first week in December and are due the last Friday in January. All applications are reviewed and students are notified on the first Friday in March.

Who can apply to the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

Students currently enrolled in eighth or ninth grade. Please note applicants must be Albemarle County residents to attend the Health and Medical Sciences Academy. 
 

Is there an additional cost to attend the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

The Health and Medical Sciences Academy is part of Albemarle County Public Schools. As a public school, there is no tuition cost to attend the Health and Medical Sciences Academy.

How is the Health and Medical Sciences Academy different from the high school experience at other schools?

The Health and Medical Sciences Academy is designed simply to be another option for students who are interested in a comprehensive program designed to prepare students for healthcare careers or pre-health majors in college.

How many students will the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

The Health and Medical Sciences Academy will accept up to 75 rising ninth grade students annually.

We live outside the Albemarle County District, and/or we will be relocating to Albemarle County, can our child still apply?

The Health and Medical Sciences Academy program is for students who are in the Albemarle County school system. Students who are applying to the Health and Medical Sciences Academy from outside Albemarle County must show proof of residency in Albemarle County no later than June 14th for the next school year. If a student from outside Albemarle County is selected, the student will be placed on the waiting list until documentation of residency is produced. Failure to produce documentation will result in the student being removed from consideration for the program.

Questions regarding residency requirements for Albemarle County and Monticello High School attendance should be directed to the Albemarle County School Board office at (434) 296- 5877.

We live in Albemarle County, but not in the Monticello High School District. Can my child still apply to the Health and Medical Sciences Academy?

Yes, all county students are invited to apply to the Academy. Please note that the student will need to attend Monticello High School as a full-time student. ​ Currently a shuttle bus service is provided from various sites near each high school. Students will ride the bus shuttle that will take them to their new school and Academy. 

Here is a link to the ACPS press release: Academy Transportation Pilot Approved​

What if my child is not accepted as a rising 9th grader? Can s/he apply again in a future year?

Students may enroll in the academy as a 9th grader. They will enroll in the 9th grade HMSA Integrated course as a sophomore. Some students also take the 10th grade curriculum concurrently.

Will my child still be able to participate in extra-curricular activities, such as sports and music programs if s/he attends the Health and Medical Sciences Academy? Will these be Monticello High programs, or programs at my child's home school, if that is not MHS?

A student must attend Monticello High School to be part of the Health and Medical Sciences Academy. If a student does not reside in Monticello High School’s district, and is accepted to the Health and Medical Sciences Academy, permission can be granted for that student to attend MHS and the Health and Medical Sciences Academy. In that case, MHS becomes the student’s home school, and any extracurricular activities at MHS are open to that student. A student may not, for example, attend MHS/Health and Medical Sciences Academy and compete in athletics at another county high school in the district where the student resides. The student could compete for any MHS team or activity.

Does it improve my chance of getting accepted if I turn in my application early?

No, the application committee will wait until all applications are received to start the review process.

Can my 7th grade student apply to the academy?

Albemarle County Academies are cohort programs. Students must be rising freshmen when they apply and enter an academy program. If a middle school student is not an eighth grader, a determination of grade acceleration must be made before the student applies to an academy.

Can my child apply to more than one academy?

Yes, your child can apply to any of the academies they are interested in participating. If your child is accepted into more than one academy they will need to notify the academy to which they plan to attend by an earlier deadline. The academy directors will communicate with one another so that any new openings created by this decision can be offered to another student on the waiting list.