Specialty Program Application Process

These instructions are intended for students who are currently enrolled in a Prince William County Public School.

• Go to the PWCS Specialty Program Application website.
  
• Choose the “Sign Up” option. You will have the option of using an email address or a phone number to sign up.
• Sign up using an email address:
  • Enter your email address associated with your PWCS ParentVUE account and password of your choice and select "Sign Up."
  • Check your email for a verification link. If you do not see the verification email in your inbox, check your spam folder. Click on the verification link.
    
• Sign up using a cell phone number:
  • Enter phone number associated with your ParentVUE account, then click “Send Code.”
    
  • Enter the code and click "Log in."
    
• Click “Start form.”
  
• Select the student you are completing an application for from the drop-down menu. Then, select "Next" to continue.
  
  
  Note - Do not select "Add new student" when registering a current PWCS student. If you plan to complete an application for additional students, you will need to complete and submit this application first. 
  
  
• The student information screen will be shown on the next screen. It will contain your student’s grade level for next year, as well as your student’s home address. Select “Next” to continue.
  
• Select "Add program."
  
• The next screen shows all the programs available to you based on your grade level and home address.
  
• Click on a program to add it. If you click on the wrong program or you decide you don’t want a program that you selected, you can click on the red dash next to the program to remove it from your list (this is labeled as “Remove Program” by screen readers). Repeat this process until you have added all your programs. You can select up to five programs.
  
• Once you have added your choices (you can add up to 5 choices), you can rank your choices by clicking and moving them. When you are finished ranking your choices, select “Next” to continue.
  
• The application will prompt you to verify your selection. If correct, select “Yes, continue.” If incorrect, select “No, cancel.”
  
• Verified student information will appear on the next screen. Select “Next” to continue.
  
• If your student is in grades 1-5 or you selected Pennington Traditional School or Porter Traditional School, you will be asked if your student has siblings at any of the programs you selected. Choose the correct response and select “Next” to continue.
  
• Complete transportation information. Select “Next” to continue after you have selected a transportation option for each school.
  
• If you applied for a program that requires additional information for the application, you will see it here. If the programs you selected does not require additional information for the application, you will go directly to the signature page.
• Please review the information on this screen (be sure to review the VHSL information if you are completing an application for a high school student). Enter your full name in the box provided. Please answer the question at the bottom of the screen if it applies to you. Select "Submit” to complete your application.
  
• You can see all the programs you selected by clicking on the arrow next to see programs. If you click “View form,” you can see all your information (address, selected programs, transportation information, etc.). You can edit this form up until the application deadline on February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
  
• Once you click submit, Avela will send you an email confirming your application submission.
• If you need to complete the form for another student, click "Start form" to begin the application process for the next student.

These instructions are intended for students who are not currently enrolled in Prince William County Public Schools. This includes students who attend private schools, receive home instruction (commonly referred to as homeschooling), or are relocating to Prince William County. A home address in Prince William County is required to complete the application.

• Go to the PWCS Specialty Program Application website.
  
  
• Choose the “Sign Up” option. You will have the option of using an email address or a phone number to sign up.
• Sign up using an email address:
  • Enter your email address and select "Sign Up."
  • Check your email for a verification link. If you do not see the verification email in your inbox, check your spam folder. Click on the verification link.
    
• Sign up using a cell phone number:
  • Enter your phone number, then click “Send Code.”
    
  • Enter the code and click "Log in."
    
• Input the parent/guardian's first and last name.  Select “Next.”
  
• Select “Add new address.”
  
• Enter the address and select “Save address.”
  
• Select the address and click “Submit.”
  
• Select “Add student.”
  
• Enter your student’s information, select the address, and click “Add student.”
  
• Select “Start form.”
  
• Select the student from the drop-down menu (or “Add new student,” if necessary). Then, select “Next" to continue.
  
• Select the student's grade for the next school year from the drop-down menu and confirm the home address. Then, select “Next” to continue.
  
• Select “Add program.”
  
• The next screen shows all the programs available to your student based on their grade level and home address.
  
• Click on a program to add it. If you click on the wrong program or you decide you don’t want a program that you selected, you can click on the red dash next to the program to remove it from your list (this is labeled as “Remove Program” by screen readers). Repeat this process until you have added all your programs. You can select up to five programs.
  
• Once you have added your choices (you can add up to 5 choices), you can rank your choices by clicking and moving them. When you are finished ranking your choices, select “Next” to continue.
  
• The application will prompt you to verify your selection. If correct, select “Yes, continue.” If incorrect, select “No, cancel.”
  
• Answer additional questions related to your student.
  • Confirm that your child is not a current PWCS student by selecting "No" from the drop-down menu.
  • Follow these instructions for the question, “Is your child currently or has your child ever been enrolled in school?”
    • If your child is currently enrolled in a school or has been enrolled in a school, select “Yes.” You will need to upload your child's current transcript or report card and provide contact information for their current school.
    • If your child is not currently enrolled in a school or has not been enrolled in a school, select “No.”
  • Select “Next” to continue.
    
• If your student is in grades 1-5 or you selected Pennington Traditional School or Porter Traditional School, you will be asked if your student has siblings at any of the programs you selected. Choose the correct response and select “Next” to continue.
  
• Complete transportation information. Select “Next” to continue after you have selected a transportation option for each school.
  
• If you applied for a program that requires additional information for the application, you will see it here. If the programs you selected does not require additional information for the application, you will go directly to the signature page.
• Please review the information on this screen (be sure to review the VHSL information if you are completing an application for a high school student). Enter your full name in the box provided. Please answer the question at the bottom of the screen if it applies to you. Select "Submit” to complete your application.
  
• You can see all the programs you selected by clicking on the arrow next to see programs. If you click “View form,” you can see all your information (address, selected programs, transportation information, etc.). You can edit this form up until the application deadline on February 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
  
• Once you click submit, Avela will send you an email confirming your application submission.
• If you need to complete the form for another student, click "Start form" to begin the application process for the next student.

1. Log in to Avela using the phone number or email used when the application was completed.
2. View application lottery results.
3. To accept, click "Respond to offer"
   
   
   
4. To accept the offer, click "Accept offer".
   
   Note - if you are on the waitlist for a program that was a higher choice on your application, you will remain on the waitlist for that program. If you are offered a spot at that program, you will be able to accept.
   
   
   
   
5. Click "Yes, accept"