The Basics
Middle School Program
When: Students apply to UP RVA during the fall of 5th grade.
Where: Collegiate, St. Catherine’s, or St. Christopher’s
How: Each applicant may apply to up to two of our middle school partners. If they apply to two, they will rank their choices.”
Key dates
Sept. 1: UP RVA Applications open
Oct. 31: Priority deadline
Dec. 15: UP RVA Decisions delivered
January: Students apply to partner middle school(s)
High School Program
When: Students apply to UP RVA during the fall of 7th grade.
Where: Collegiate School, St. Catherine’s School, St. Christopher’s School, The Steward School, or Trinity Episcopal School
How: Each applicant may apply to up to two of our high school partners. If they apply to two, they will rank their choices.”
Key dates
Oct. 1: UP RVA Applications open
Jan 8: Priority deadline
March 1: UP RVA Decisions delivered
Fall of 8th Grade: Students apply to partner high school(s)
What We’re Looking For
We look for students who are doing well academically, engaged in their school community, and ready for what comes next. On paper, that usually looks like A’s and B’s, 90% or better attendance, and good standing at their current schools..
UP RVA prioritizes young people from Richmond’s East End who have the talent and drive to thrive at an independent school and whose families wouldn’t otherwise have a way to send them to one.
Our Process
The process looks the same for our middle and high school programs.
- Interest meetings. UP RVA hosts info sessions and family meetings before applications open. We get to know your family, and you get to know us.
- The application. Our three-part application includes (1) student and family demographics, (2) short answers and essays, and (3) teacher recommendations plus an official transcript.
- Interview and skills assessment. A conversation with our team, paired with a brief assessment of academic readiness.
Partner Schools
Applying to UP RVA also means applying to one of our partner schools. Don’t worry! UP RVA staff will walk your family through every step — forms, essays, testing, interviews, and choosing a school.
FAQ
For middle school applicants
Any current 5th grader is eligible.
Yes – middle school applicants can apply to two of our three partner middle schools (two of our schools are single-gender). We ask families to be intentional about choosing the right fit, and in the interest of offering the UP RVA opportunity to as many students as possible, we do ask students who apply to multiple UP RVA schools to rank their first and second choice, as this allows the partner schools to make a more educated decision regarding who they will admit.
A student who isn’t admitted to a partner school for 6th grade is welcome to apply again in 7th grade for the high school program. We share specific feedback so families know what to work on between now and then.
No. Each partner school holds up to two spots in each incoming class for an UP RVA student, but admission is competitive and each school makes its own decision. UP RVA can’t guarantee placement.
Yes. Our admissions team will walk your family through every step — forms, essays, testing, interviews, and choosing a school.
No. Students can only apply in the 5th grade for a 6th grade entry.
For high school applicants
Any current 7th grader is eligible.
Each high school applicant ranks two of our five partner schools as their top choices. Families may also apply to schools outside UP RVA (Cristo Rey, Rise Academy, or RPS specialty schools, for example), but to remain in the program, the student must attend one of the five UP RVA partners.
Your family chooses one. The other school is notified right away so the spot can go to another applicant.
Unfortunately, a student who isn’t admitted to a UP RVA partner high school can’t continue with the program.
No. Each partner school holds up to two spots for UP RVA students in the incoming 9th-grade class, but admission is competitive and each school makes its own decision.
Yes. Our admissions team will guide your family through forms, essays, testing, and interviews, and help you decide which two schools to rank.
Students apply to UP RVA in 7th grade and are notified of their acceptance to UP RVA in March of 7th grade so that students and families can begin visiting our partner schools in April of their 7th grade year and again in the fall of 8th grade. This gives students at least two opportunities to engage with our school partners to determine which school(s) are the best fit for them.
No. Students can only apply in the 7th grade for a 9th grade entry.
Get In Touch
Applications for the middle school program open in September. High school applications open in October. In the meantime, the UP RVA admissions team is happy to answer questions, share information about partner schools, and help you decide whether UP RVA is the right fit for your student.
