School registration

SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Parents living in Prince William County and needing information about which school their child is to attend should go to the school division Web site, http://www.pwcs.edu. Under the information menu heading, go to “Schools” and select “Find Your School,” or contact 703-791-7312 and make an appointment for enrollment at the appropriate school as soon as possible.

Under Virginia law, enrollment in kindergarten is optional for a child 5 years old on or before Sept. 30, but parents must notify the school system if they do not intend to enroll their child. Enrollment is mandatory for children 6 years old on or before Sept. 30.

Virginia requires each new student to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, mumps, measles (rubeola) and German measles (rubella). All students are required to present evidence of having two doses of the rubeola measles vaccine. Students who have had one dose have 90 days from the date of enrollment to present proof of having had the second dose. One dose of DTP or DTaP is required after age 4.

Hepatitis B immunization is required for entry to sixth grade. Students born after Jan. 1, 1994, must present proof of having received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine with at least four months between the first and third doses. This also applies to students enrolling in sixth grade on or after July 1, 2001, if previously unvaccinated. All susceptible children (those who have not had chicken pox) born after Jan. 1, 1997, are required to have a dose of varicella not earlier than the age of 12 months.

Additionally, all students entering sixth grade this fall also must receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine. This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

All pre-school, school-age or adult students who are seeking admission to the Prince William County schools who have been out of the U.S. for a period of three or more consecutive months during the previous five years are required to submit a tuberculosis screening test prior to admittance.

Students who do not have all of the immunizations and a physical examination will not be allowed to attend school. However, students may be conditionally enrolled if they provide proof of having received at least one dose of the immunizations along with a schedule for completion of the required doses within 90 days and a physical examination recorded on the state-approved form (MCH213E). Objections based on religious or medical grounds may be discussed with the principal.

Prince William requires parents or guardians of a new student to present an official copy of the student’s birth certificate, Social Security number, proof of residency, proof of immunizations and a transfer slip or report card from the student’s previous school upon registration. A certificate of physical examination within 12 months prior to the start of school is required for students enrolling in kindergarten through seventh grade. Students must either graduate from high school or attend school through their 18th birthdays. To register a pupil, parents should contact the school. Call to determine the correct school:

• Prince William and all towns: 703-791-7200

• Manassas: 703-257-8800

• Manassas Park: 703-335-8850