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Henrico specialty‑center enrollment tops 2,500; new Henrico High cybersecurity center planned for 2026–27
Summary
Division staff said specialty‑center enrollment now exceeds 2,500 students (about 15% of high‑school population), reported increases in applications, and announced a new Henrico High Center for Cybersecurity to launch in 2026–27 with an initial class of 50 students and industry credentialing (CompTIA Security+).
Division leaders presented an overview of Henrico’s high‑school specialty centers on Jan. 23, reporting record enrollment in the programs and announcing a new Center for Cybersecurity at Henrico High School that will begin admitting freshmen in the 2026–27 school year.
Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning Dr. Taylor Snow and specialty‑center staff said expansions over the last two years have increased center seats and that, after the most recent application window, more than 2,500 students — roughly 15% of Henrico high‑school students — are enrolled in specialty centers. The class‑of‑2029 application window drew 3,055 applications, and Deep Run’s Center for Information Technology received 377 applications for 75 seats during the last cycle.
New cybersecurity center and credentials Dr. Snow described the new Henrico High School Center for Cybersecurity as a niche complement to existing IT and ACE programming in the division. The center will focus on cybersecurity competencies, integrate ethics and data‑science coursework, and pursue higher‑education and industry partnerships. Staff said the first cohort will start with 50 freshmen in 2026–27 and expand toward a target of roughly 75 seats per grade. The program will prepare students for industry credentials such as the CompTIA Security+ certification; staff said there would be no direct cost to families for the center curriculum, and the FY2026 recommended budget includes initial funding for technology and lab materials.
Equity, access and outreach Specialty‑center staff described a four‑prong plan implemented since summer 2023 to write center curricula, align administrative processes, expand outreach and reduce barriers to access. Actions include updated websites and materials (translated where appropriate), multiple public information sessions including a Saturday option, a second annual specialty‑center fair targeting seventh graders, partnerships with middle‑school counselors and a planned move to a streamlined common‑application platform to replace existing functionality problems.
Board questions and operational issues Board members raised questions about geography and access (whether zoned students would have reserved seats), transportation and hub‑bus experience (including early pickup times and crowded connections), dual‑enrollment opportunities, and funding for recurring competition travel and program costs. Staff said they would explore geographic seat allocations, pursue dual‑enrollment partnerships with higher education where feasible, collect more data on transportation challenges and consider budgeting for predictable recurring competition costs.
Ending note Board members applauded the growth and outreach efforts; several called cybersecurity a timely addition to the county’s specialty offerings given labor‑market demand.
