Eligibility and process for the 2026–27 school year.
The early kindergarten assessment request window has closed. If you have moved to Prince William County after May 8, 2026, you can contact [email protected] to inquire about early kindergarten enrollment.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) understands that families sometimes wonder whether their child is ready for kindergarten even if they miss the standard age cutoff. Virginia law allows school divisions to consider early entry to kindergarten when a child shows strong readiness across multiple areas.
Early entry is an option for children who turn five years old between October 1 and December 31 of the school year, in accordance with Va. Code Section 22.1-199.
Your child may be considered for early entry to kindergarten in PWCS if they:
To help PWCS better understand your child’s readiness, families will be asked to submit supporting information such as:
If your child meets the age entrance criteria but has not been enrolled in a preschool program described here, please email [email protected] to discuss options for assessment.
Families who move into Prince William County after May 8 may submit a request for early kindergarten assessment within 30 days of their move-in date.
Children who meet the initial eligibility criteria will be invited to participate in an in-person kindergarten readiness assessment with trained PWCS staff.
During the assessment, staff will look at your child’s:
Assessment schedule:
After all assessments are completed:
If your child is approved for early entry, you will receive:
PWCS will also notify the school and maintain the assessment information in your child’s educational record.
If your child is not approved, you will receive:
A few important things to keep in mind:
If you have questions about early kindergarten enrollment, you can email [email protected].