Application Process

2026-2027 Pennington Application

Specialty program application will open from November 1, 2026 through February 1, 2027 through PWCS third-party site, Avela. No late responses will be accepted past February 1, 2027. 

Application Process

Click on the link below to go to the PWCS Specialty Program Application Process page. This page includes step-by-step instructions for creating an account and completing the application for Current PWCS Students OR Students Not Currently Enrolled In A PWCS School.

Application Step-By-Step Instructions

 Parents that are ready to create an account and submit an application should click on the link below:

Before applying, please read the information below completely:

• Pennington is a public Traditional School option for families residing in the western half of Prince William County (not including Manassas Park or Manassas City addresses). Enrollment is based on an application and lottery process.
• We believe in exemplary student and professional staff behavior, a rigorous academic program, and high attendance expectations. Students must adhere to the Pennington Uniform Policy.
• Students are required to complete a minimum number of student community service hours. Parents are required to complete a minimum number of volunteer hours. 
• There are special bus stops throughout the western half of Prince William County that transport students to Pennington and return them to the same stop at dismissal time. Parents must drop off and pick up students at the bus stop.
• Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) has contracted with AlphaBEST Education as our School Age Child Care  program and its services are offered at Pennington. 

Information Nights

Information Nights are open to all prospective students and their families. No pre-registration is required. This events will be held in person at Pennington.

November 6, 2025, 6 p.m. at Pennington Traditional School (Cafeteria)

January 15, 2026, 6 p.m. at Pennington Traditional School (Cafeteria)

Attendance Area

If your child’s base elementary school is in western Prince William County and is listed here, you could apply:

Requirements for Applying

• Attendance Requirements: Student needs to be in good attendance standing - not chronically absent (ie, not missing 10% or more of school)
• Behavior Requirements: Student needs to be in good discipline standing - no discipline record in the past 12 months

Results

In late February / early March, acceptance information will be communicated through  the email address that is provided within the application. Families will have a limited time to accept or deny the seat. If families don't accept or deny the seat within the amount of time laid out by the school, then the seat will be offered to another family. Since enrollment capacity is limited, a student could also be WAITLISTED.  The school will pull students from the waiting list through September 30th and will contact the families directly. After September 30th, if the student did not obtain a spot, a new application will be required for the following school year, which will be available two months later in November.

Important Information

• The child should be 6 years old by September 30 of that school year applying for 1st grade.
• A separate application needs to be submitted for each student applying to Pennington.
• Current Pennington families do not need to submit a new application each year.
• 26-27 Application will be processed by Avela, a third-party vendor. 
• Families will only be notified if they have earned a seat. 
• Parent volunteer and Student service hours are mandatory, hours not met will result in returning to the base school.
• Available seats for 1^st grade are: 72
  • There are 0-3 seats available for the grades 2-8

Thank you for applying!