Military Families

Pennington’s Military Family Connection

Pennington Traditional School

pennington logo

Welcome to Pennington Traditional School Military-Connected Student Services program webpage!

We welcome our military connected students and their families to the home of the Blue Jays, and we are glad that your have chosen our school and community.

Principal: Mr. Michael Kelchlin

Military Student Point of Contact: Mrs. Debra Stewart

Resources

Military-Connected Student Support for Prince William County Public Schools

Preparing Your Move: Information about Pennington and How to Apply

Pennington Traditional is a school of choice that serves students in grades 1 through 8. Pennington is open to students whose families are residents of Prince Willam County and are districted to attend a Prince William County Public School  located  in the western part of the county.  All students transfer to attend these programs. Pennington stresses rigorous academic instruction, strong performance expectations, and high behavioral standards. It uses research-based, innovative instructional strategies within the framework of a traditional education. Families and students are involved in all facets of school life with parental and student contracts. Every child and every family must contribute a specified number of hours of service to the school. Students at these schools are also required to wear uniforms.

Note: Applications for this program are open once each year for rising 1st-8th grade students.

Application Process for the 2025-26 School Year - Pennington Traditional School

Available Services and Adherence to Military Interstate Children’s Compact

English Learner Program and Services

We provide a program of language instruction in a supportive setting so that ELs (English Learners) attain proficiency in English and meet the same challenging academic content and student achievement standards as other students. Teachers implement a variety of resources to improve vocabulary development and language skills. Ms. Pierce is the Department Chair of our English Learner Program, please feel free to contact her if you have any questions.

Special Education Students

PWCS honors the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the Individuals with Disabilities Act. By the terms of the Compact, students who were receiving Special Education services will provide comparable services to the student based on his/her current IEP (individualized education plan) and will make reasonable accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities. The receiving school (Penn) may perform subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement in the receiving school.

Gifted

PWCS honors the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. By the terms of the Compact, PWCS has an obligation to provide like services for children of active duty military parents new to the division who have documented evidence of receiving gifted services in their prior school system. The student's identification and need for services is honored until a determination is made for identification and placement in the PWCS system. These students should receive services during the IDP (identification) process until they are found eligible or not eligible for services specific to PWCS. This is based on Article V of Virginia regulation 22.1-360 through 22.1-361. Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children: B. Educational program placement. The receiving stat school shall initially honor placement of the student in educational programs based on current educational assessments conducted at the school in the sending state or participation/placement in like programs in the sending state. Such programs include, but are not limited to, (i) gifted and talented programs and (ii) English as a second language (ESL) programs. This does not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement of the students.

Other Important Links

PWCS Military Student connected support YouTube Channel

PWCS Military Connected Student Support Facebook Page

FAQ

What if I'm interested in attending Pennington, but my family transferred to Prince William County after the application window closed?

Families who move into Pennington's boundaries within Prince William County outside of the application and lottery window do have 60 days with which to submit a complete application.  This 60-day window begins the day a contract or lease is signed and supporting documentation will be requested.  All families, including military and relatives of current Pennington students, must contact the school as early into the 60-day window as possible to begin the application process.  All enrollment into Pennington ends September 30 of that school year. Placement preference until that date will be given first to those who applied during the standard application and lottery period, followed by those who have moved into the boundaries and have applied outside of the standard application and lottery period.