Prince William County Public Schools
Student Transfer Requests
Transfers are Closed for the 2026-27 School Year
The transfer application window has closed for current students for the 2026-27 school year.
Transfer Provisions Apply Only to Prince William County Residents
- Students are generally required to attend the school zoned for their primary residence.
- Attendance areas are established for each school by the School Board in a manner that best meets the needs of the students in the county.
- Prince William County residents, who are parents or guardians of students enrolled in PWCS, may request a student transfer from their student's zoned school during the established time period each school year.
Student Transfer Application Process
-
Review PWCS Student Transfer Information
Important Dates
- March 6, 2026, at 8 a.m. – Transfer request applications open
- April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. – Transfer request applications close
Transfer Request Reasons and Requirements
- When completing the online transfer request form, parents must indicate the reason for the transfer.
- For certain transfer reasons, additional information is required, or a specific form must be completed and uploaded as part of the online transfer request form.
Schools and Grades Not Accepting Transfers
- Before completing a student transfer request, parents should review the lists of overcapacity/undercapacity schools and schools closed to transfers for specific grade levels.
- Note: Parents/guardians can request a transfer from an overcapacity school to an undercapacity school.
-
Complete the online student transfer request form
Things to know
- Transfer requests are completed through an online form. No paper transfer requests will be accepted.
- The transfer form must be completed by a parent/guardian.
- Only one school can be requested on the transfer form.
- A parent/guardian is responsible for the student's transportation to and from school if the transfer request is approved.
- Students who are approved for a transfer are expected to maintain positive attendance, academic performance, and behavioral expectations.
- Transfers are valid for one year only.
- Transferring a high school student after ninth grade will change the student's VHSL activities eligibility status for the next 365 days.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Online Transfer Request Form
-
Receive notification of transfer request decision
- Transfer request forms are typically reviewed within two weeks after being submitted. Review time is subject to change.
- Transfer request status can be reviewed in Avela at any time.
- Parent/guardian will receive an email or text when the status of the transfer request changes.
Status Information
- In Progress – Parent has not submitted a completed application.
- Submitted – Transfer request form has been submitted and is being reviewed by the zoned school and requested school.
- Cancelled – Transfer request has been denied for any of the reasons listed below:
- Denied – Deficient Evidence: The transfer was denied due to insufficient supporting evidence from the parent or guardian. Additional details may be provided on appeal.
- Denied – Form Incomplete: Required documentation or an adequate narrative was missing, resulting in denial.
- Denied – Grade Level Closed: The requested grade is closed to transfers before the request was submitted.
- Denied – Invalid Reason: Provided information did not match the stated reason for the transfer.
- Denied – School Closed: The school was closed to transfers prior to receiving the request.
- Admissions – Transfer request has been approved and needs to be accepted in Avela.
-
Next steps for approved transfer requests
- Accept the transfer request offer in Avela.
- If the student currently attends the school to which you requested a transfer, the school will maintain your information. No further action is needed.
- If you do not currently attend the school to which you requested a transfer, please contact the registrar at the requested school to schedule an enrollment appointment. The registrar will walk you through the next steps to enroll for the 2026-27 school year.
Note: If a transfer request is denied and the parent believes the decision should be reconsidered or has additional information to provide, they may submit a request for appeal.
Student Transfer Request Resources
Transfer Request Reasons and Requirements
A parent/guardian can request a student transfer to a school that is not their zoned school for specific reasons.
When completing the online transfer request form, parents are required to indicate the reason for the transfer request.
Select transfer reasons require additional information be provided or require a form to be completed and uploaded when completing the online transfer request form.
- Child Care Hardship (K-8 Only): Request a transfer if you cannot find safe, affordable child care within your zoned school area.
- Additional Form Upload? Yes. A completed Child Care Verification Form, signed by the child care provider, must be uploaded when completing the transfer application online.
- SACC Closure at Zoned School: If the School Aged Child Care program is unavailable at your zoned school, confirm the closure before requesting a transfer.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
- PWCS Parent/Guardian Employment: Full-time PWCS employees can request a transfer for their child to attend their workplace school or an adjacent-level school, as space permits. Those in central offices must choose the nearest school.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
- Leave a School that is Significantly Overcapacity: Transfer requests are allowed if your zoned school exceeds 120% capacity; you may only request a school under 80% capacity. See eligible schools on the Student Transfer webpage.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
- View a list of overcapacity schools.
- Extenuating Circumstances – Health or mental health: Students with significant physical or mental health challenges may request a transfer.
- Additional Form Upload? Yes. A completed Student Health Information Form, signed by a licensed healthcare provider, must be uploaded when completing the transfer application online.
- Extenuating Circumstances – Change in residence: After moving in the second semester, a transfer may be requested to complete the school year. You may also request a transfer up to 90 days before an expected move. Include a narrative description.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
- Extenuating Circumstances - Student is a victim of a violent crime: If a student is a crime victim, transfer requests require a narrative and may require additional documents.
- Additional Form Upload? No. Additional information may be requested.
- To Complete 12th Grade: The student attended the school during the previous year and is requesting to remain there to complete 12th grade. This provision does not apply to students who have withdrawn from or are dismissed from a specialty or career and technical education program.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
- To Take a Course Not Available at the Zoned School (grades 9-12 only): In limited circumstances, a student may request a transfer to take a course not offered at the zoned school, provided the course is not part of a specialty, JROTC, or CTE program. List the course in the narrative description.
- Additional Form Upload? No.
Child Care and Health Forms
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Complete the Online Transfer Request Form
A parent/guardian must create an Avela account using the phone number or email address associated with their PWCS ParentVUE account.
Step 1: Create an Avela account
If you already have an Avela account, go to Step 2.
- Go to the PWCS Avela website.
- Choose the “Sign Up” option. You will have the option of using an email address or a cell 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 the cell phone number associated with your ParentVUE account, then click “Send Code.” Note: If the phone number associated with your ParentVUE account is a landline number, you will need to sign up using email (see previous step).
- Enter the code and click "Log in."
- Enter the cell phone number associated with your ParentVUE account, then click “Send Code.” Note: If the phone number associated with your ParentVUE account is a landline number, you will need to sign up using email (see previous step).
Step 2: Complete the Transfer Request form
- Log in to Avela using the email or phone number associated with your ParentVUE account.
- Select the student you would like to complete a transfer request for and ensure that the form is titled Transfer 26-27 (Next School Year). Select "Resume Form".
- Review the Transfer Process Overview.
- Acknowledge that you have reviewed the information on the PWCS Student Transfer webpage.
- Confirm you are applying for a transfer for a current PWCS student for the 2026-27 school year.
- Confirm your student's grade for the 2026-27 school year.
- Click "Next".
- Click "Add program/school" and select the school you would like to request a transfer to.
- After selecting the school, click "Next".
- Confirm the school you selected is the one you would like to request a transfer to.
Note: You can only request a transfer to one school.
- Select the reason for your transfer request.
Note: Some transfer reasons require a completed form to be uploaded or additional information to be provided. - Provide additional information or upload the childcare or health form.
- Click "Next"
- Read the disclaimer and confirm you understand the information related to the transfer request being submitted. Enter your full name and click "Submit" to submit the transfer request form.
- Your transfer request application has been submitted!
Overcapacity Schools from which a Transfer may be Requested (2026–27)
Overcapacity schools are schools that are projected to be more than 120% of its capacity and undercapacity schools are projected to be less than 80% of its capacity.
Overcapacity schools are closed for transfer.
Parents/guardians have the option to request a transfer for their student from an overcapacity school to an undercapacity school.
Overcapacity Schools
Elementary Schools
- Covington-Harper Elementary School
- Pattie Elementary School
High Schools
- Colgan High School
Undercapacity Schools
Elementary
- Alvey Elementary School
- Bristow Run Elementary School
- Buckland Mills Elementary School
- Cedar Point Elementary School
- Glenkirk Elementary School
- Innovation Elementary School
- Mountain View Elementary School
- Rosa Parks Elementary School
- T. Clay Wood Elementary School
- Victory Elementary School (grades K-1)
High Schools
- Unity Reed High School
Schools Closed to Transfers (2026–27)
Schools may find it necessary not to accept incoming transfers at a specific grade level as enrollment increases throughout the spring and summer.
In addition to the schools that are overcapacity schoolwide, these schools are closed to transfers for the grade levels indicated.
Parents/guardians should not request to transfer to any of these schools for the grade levels indicated.
| School Name | Grade Level(s) | Closed Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland Elementary School | 5 | March 4, 2026 |
| Belmont Elementary School | 3 | April 22, 2026 |
| Benton Middle School | 7 | April 10, 2026 |
| Colgan High School | 9–12 | February 9, 2026 |
| Covington-Harper Elementary School | K–5 | February 9, 2026 |
| Enterprise Elementary School | 3, 4, 5 | April 16, 2026 |
| Henderson Elementary School | 1, 2, 4, 5 | March 26, 2026 |
| Lake Ridge Middle School | 6–8 | May 7, 2026 |
| Mullen Elementary School | 2 | April 5, 2026 |
| The Nokesville School | K–8 | March 12, 2026 |
| Pattie Elementary School | K–5 | February 9, 2026 |
| Springwoods Elementary School | K–5 | March 16, 2026 |
Overcapacity Schools from which a Transfer may be Requested (2025–26)
Overcapacity schools are schools that are projected to be more than 120% of its capacity and undercapacity schools are projected to be less than 80% of its capacity.
Overcapacity schools are closed for transfer.
Parents/guardians have the option to request a transfer for their student from an overcapacity school to an undercapacity school.
Overcapacity Schools
Overcapacity Elementary Schools
- Covington-Harper Elementary School
- Dale City Elementary School
- Enterprise Elementary School
- The Nokesville School
- Pattie Elementary School
Overcapacity Middle Schools
- The Nokesville School
Overcapacity High Schools
- Colgan High School
Undercapacity Schools
Undercapacity Elementary Schools
- Alvey Elementary School
- Ashland Elementary School
- Bristow Run Elementary School
- Cedar Point Elementary School
- Glenkirk Elementary School
- Innovation Elementary School
- Mountain View Elementary School
- Rosa Parks Elementary School
- T. Clay Wood Elementary School
- Victory Elementary School (grades K-1)
Undercapacity Middle Schools
- Fred M. Lynn Middle School
- Graham Park Middle School
- Potomac Middle School
Undercapacity High Schools
- Brentsville District High School
Schools Closed to Transfers (2025–26)
Schools may find it necessary not to accept incoming transfers at a specific grade level as enrollment increases throughout the spring and summer.
In addition to the schools that are overcapacity schoolwide, these schools are closed to transfers for the grade levels indicated.
Parents/guardians should not request to transfer to any of these schools for the grade levels indicated.
- Antietam Elementary School (grades 1-2)
- Bel Air Elementary School (grade 2)
- Belmont Elementary School (grades 1-5)
- Benton Middle School (grades 6, 8)
- Bristow Run Elementary School (grades K-2 )
- Ellis Elementary School (grades K, 3)
- Featherstone Elementary School (grades 2-3)
- Fitzgerald Elementary School (grades K, 3)
- Forest Park High School (grades 9-12)
- Gainesville Middle School (grades 6-8)
- Haymarket Elementary School (grade K)
- Henderson Elementary School (grades K-3)
- Innovation Elementary School (grade K)
- King Elementary School (grades 2, 3, 5)
- Lake Ridge Middle School (grades 7-8)
- Loch Lomond Elementary School (grades K-3)
- Marumsco Hills Elementary School (grades 1, 2, 4, 5)
- Mary Williams Elementary School (grades 1, 3, 5)
- Montclair Elementary School (grade 5)
- Osbourn Park High School (grades 9-12)
- Penn Elementary School (grades K, 2, 3)
- Potomac Shores Middle School (grades 6–8)
- River Oaks Elementary School (grades 3, 5)
- Rosa Parks Elementary School (grade 2)
- Sinclair Elementary School (grades K, 3)
- Springwoods Elementary School (grades K-5)
- Swans Creek Elementary School (grades 4-5)
- T. Clay Wood Elementary (grade 4)
- Triangle Elementary School (grades K-5)
- Tyler Elementary School (grade 3)
- Vaughan Elementary School (grades K-5)
- Victory Elementary School (grades 2-5)
- Woodbridge High School (grades 9-12)
Appeal a Denied Transfer Request
- Send an email to [email protected]
- The subject line should be "Transfer Appeal".
- In the body of the email, include your child’s name, a clear explanation of why you believe the principal’s decision should be reviewed, and any supporting documentation you wish to submit.
- The College, Career, and Student Support Department will review your email. If the information provided supports reconsideration of the transfer decision, you will receive a reply outlining next steps, and a transfer appeal form will be opened in your Avela account. If the information does not support reconsideration, you will receive an email notifying you of that determination.
- Fill out the online appeal form in Avela within 15 days of being notified of the initial denial. Be sure to provide a detailed explanation and upload any documents or files that support your appeal.
- You will receive a notification from the Avela system once a decision has been made about your appeal.
Students who desire to attend a PWCS specialty program should visit the Specialty Programs webpage to learn about available specialty programs and the application process.
For a more detailed description of reasons for student transfer, review PWCS Regulation 721-1, "Student Transfers Elementary and Middle School," or PWCS Regulation 721-1, "Student Transfers High School."
Contact Us
-
Transfer Request Application Support