The district serves nearly 24,000 students, representing the region’s diverse socioeconomic mix. Richmond Public Schools (RPS ... ) is comprised of 25 elementary schools, including one charter school, seven middle schools, five comprehensive high schools and three specialty schools. U. S. News and World Report ranked Richmond Community and Open high schools among the state’s top public high schools. And, Franklin Military Academy stands as the nation’s first public military school. The district also operates two regional Governor’s School programs. Gifted and talented students are served by SPACE (Special Program for Academic and Creative Excellence) at the elementary and middle school levels, and by advanced placement and dual enrollment courses at the high school level. Academically advanced students may also earn the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at Thomas Jefferson High School or apply to attend the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies and the Appomattox Governor’s School for the Arts and Technology. read more