Prince William County Public Schools

Specialty Program Application Process

Step 1: Research Your Options

• Research programs at your base school
• Review specialty program information, including program types and offerings
• Attend/view a specialty program information session
• Attend a school-specific information session
• Review VHSL eligibility information (for high school students)
• Review transportation information
• Determine the specialty program(s) that you want to apply to (you can apply to three programs and must rank them in order of preference)

Application Deadlines

• December 14, 2024 – Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA)
• February 1, 2025 – All Other Specialty Programs (transfer and transport programs), including The Governor's School @ Innovation Park

Late applications will not be considered.

Program-Specific Application Requirements

Practical Nursing Applicants

The Practical Nursing Program Application is not completed through the Specialty Program application in ParentVUE. Students applying to the Practical Nursing Program complete a separate form found on the Practical Nursing Program Application Process webpage.  If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Tammy Dean, program coordinator, at [email protected]. 

Pre-Governor's School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park Applicants

Students applying to Pre-Governor's School and The Governor's School @ Innovation Park must complete the Specialty Program Supplemental Application, in addition to completing the Specialty Program Application in ParentVUE.  Both applications must be completed by February 1, 2025, to have a completed application. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].  

Step 2: Apply Online

Create a PWCS ParentVUE Account

If you already have a PWCS ParentVUE account, skip to the Complete the Specialty Program Application section.

1. Go to the ParentVUE website.
2. Select the Create a New Account link (click the More Options tab if you do not see the link).
3. Answer the Parent Account Activation questions and click Continue
   • If you answer Yes to any of the questions, you already have a ParentVUE account and you must use your existing ParentVUE User Name and Password to complete your student's specialty program application.
   • If you answer No to all questions, click Continue to go to the next step.
4. Review the ParentVUE/StudentVUE Use Agreement and I Accept to continue.
5. Create your account by completing the following fields and continue to the next step.
   • Legal First Name and Last Name – please be sure to enter your name as it appears on government issued identification. Your name as entered here will be used for your electronic signature.
   • Email Address – an activation link will be sent to this email. Please be sure to enter a valid email address.
   • Security Code – enter the text in the image.
6. A confirmation message will appear. You will receive an email that will contain a link that will allow you to finish creating your ParentVUE account.
7. Click the link in the email.
8. The Complete Account Creation window opens.
9. Complete the following fields on the Complete Account Creation webpage to finish creating your account, then click Save and Continue.
   • User ID – by default, this is your email address, but it can be changed before creating your account.
   • Password

Complete the Specialty Program Application

Follow these steps if you already have a PWCS ParentVUE account.

1. Log in to the ParentVUE Registration and Online Records webpage.
   • Enter your ParentVUE User Name and Password on the login screen and click Login.
   • If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, please contact your student's school for assistance.
2. Scroll until you find the Specialty Program Application button for the 2025-26 school year, and select the option.
3. The Introduction Screen will display important information regarding the specialty program application process, including helpful links to express bus transportation information. Review the information on this page, and click Continue to proceed with the application.
4. Follow the instructions and click Save and Continue at the bottom of each screen to move forward. As each section is completed, a green checkbox will appear next to the section name.
5. To make any edits within the application, click the Edit button to the left of each of the section headings. Once the edits are made, click Save and Continue to return to the Review/Submit screen. Once you have reviewed the application, click the Submit button.
6. Families not currently enrolled in PWCS are asked to submit a copy of their most recent transcript or report card for review by the specialty program coordinators. 

Step 3: Selection

• CFPA applicants attend an audition (January 2025).
• Schools review applicant information for specific eligibility criteria.
• The Governor's School @ Innovation Park applicants will complete timed essay (early February 2025)

Step 4: Notification

Acceptance information will be communicated through the application portal. Families will receive an email asking them to check the portal for a decision.

Step 5: Program Acceptance

Families must declare their intent to participate in the accepted Specialty program.