2024-25 Applications
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb. 29, 2024
Our elementary Schools for Innovation (T. C. Miller and Dearington) provide students with a variety of innovative and challenging instructional experiences which employ the latest trends in educational technology and instructional methodologies. Both schools offer instructional activities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Dearington also offers activities in Spanish and leadership. T. C. Miller also offers activities in dance, theatre, and visual arts.
Elementary Schools for Innovation Application 2024-25
At the middle school level, students attending Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation have the opportunity to participate in instructional activities such as drama, marine science, herpetology, world languages, television studio, science, technology, engineering, and math.
P. L. Dunbar Middle School for Innovation Application 2024-25
If you reside in the student attendance zone for a School for Innovation (SFI), your child will automatically be assigned to the respective school and you do not need to complete this application.
If you do not live in the attendance zone of the desired school and you wish to apply, complete and submit the application by 4:00 p.m. on Feb. 29, 2024. If you need assistance with the application, call the desired school using the phone numbers listed at the bottom of this page.
Parents interested in year-round school click here.
Open Seats by Grade
Elementary
| School | Kindergarten | 1st Grade | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dearington | 17 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 35 |
| T. C. Miller | 15 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 39 |
Middle
| School | 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunbar | 50 | 10 | 10 | 70 |
About the Schools
Each school offers a supportive learning environment that promotes the intellectual, creative, social and physical well being of each child.
Dearington Elementary School for Innovation
STEM, Spanish, and Student Leadership are the three focus areas that designate Dearington as an Innovative School. From Kindergarten through Fifth grade students focus on the language and culture of Spanish speaking countries. Our STEM lab captures students in engaging instruction each week with hands-on activities and dynamic lessons! Our Student Leadership program encourages students to take active leadership roles. All of our DESI Dolphins focus on being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible students. At DESI, we strive to BE WORLD CHANGERS!
Thomas C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation
This school has a special emphasis in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. In fact, TCM was recently recognized as the division’s first STEM school. The core content is woven through all classes creating an integrated approach to instruction. The units of instruction focus on a higher order of thinking skills and the standards of learning. The school also offers instructional activities in the areas of dance, theatre and visual arts and stresses creativity and developmentally appropriate practices in all grades.
Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School For Innovation
Whether your child excels in math and science or loves the arts, DMS has a place for him/her. For the aspiring scientists, the middle school has a herpetology center, laserium and 500 gallon salt water touch tank. For those students who love the limelight, the award winning drama program and student produced television station should create a world of inspiration. On top of those unique courses, the school has extensive world languages offerings.
2024-2025 Schedule for Selection Process
|
1/29/24 |
Online application opens. |
| 2/13/24 | Open House at T. C. Miller: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. |
| 2/13/24 | "A Night of Innovation" Open House at Dunbar: 6-8 p.m. |
|
2/29/24 |
SFIs & BASS Application Deadline. |
|
4/8/24 |
The Office of the Superintendent will mail the acceptance and waiting list letters to parents that applied to one of the Schools for Innovation or Year-Round Schools before the application deadline. |
|
4/22/24 |
Deadline for parent/student responses to the student acceptance letters. |
Each application will be reviewed by a selection committee. Student academic, attendance, and discipline records will be a part of the review process along with the interest statement.
For an applicant who has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), we will review the IEP to determine whether we can implement the IEP at the school for innovation. Some special education services are so unique that they are available only through division-wide programs at specific schools.
Visit our Schools and Meet our Staff
Dearington Elementary School for Innovation
Jason Giambrone, Principal
210 Smyth Street
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434) 515-5220
T. C. Miller Elementary School for Innovation
Christen Rhodes, Principal
600 Mansfield Avenue
Lynchburg, VA 24501-3340
(434) 515-5300
P. L. Dunbar Middle School for Innovation
Dr. Kellie Baldwin, Principal
1200-1208 Polk Street
Lynchburg, VA 24504-3149
(434) 515-5310