Q: What is a "School of Choice"?
A: Pennington is a public school within Prince William County and is an option for families residing in the western side of Prince William County. Enrollment is based on an application and lottery process. Students and families must agree to all expectations, including mandatory community service hours for students, volunteer/educational engagement hours for families, uniform dress code, and high academic and behavioral success. (Staff will work with families to ensure the success of every child.)
Q: What grade levels are at Pennington?
A: Grades 1-8, including support programs of ESOL, Gifted, Special Education, and Reading Lab.
Q: Who can go to Pennington?
A: Students in grades 1–8 who legally reside in the Western part of Prince William County. If your zoned school is listed below, you are able to apply in the lottery to attend Pennington:
Alvey, Bennett, Bristow Run, Buckland Mills, Cedar Point, Coles, Chris Yung, Ellis, Glenkirk, Gravely, Haymarket, Innovation, Loch Lomond, Marshall, Mountain View, Mullen, Penn (depending on address), Piney Branch, Signal Hill, Sinclair, Sudley, T. Clay Wood, The Nokesville School, Tyler, Victory, West Gate, and Yorkshire.
We do not accept any students who reside in Manassas Park or Manassas City.
Q: Is Pennington a disciplinary school?
A: No. Pennington is not a program designed for students with disciplinary difficulties. We do have a high standard of conduct that all students are expected to follow. Pennington abides by the PWCS behavioral code and is clearly defined, as well as the penalties for violations.
Q: Is Pennington an alternative school?
A: No.
Q: Is Pennington a school for underachievers?
A: Pennington is not aimed at underachieving students in particular. We believe that every student can succeed, given the support and attention of their parents and teachers.
Q: Is Pennington a school for overachievers?
A: Pennington is not aimed at overachieving students, either. We are not a magnet school. We do, however, expect a level of performance at or above grade level from all our students, regardless of their previous performance.
Q: Is Pennington a school for gifted students?
A: Pennington is a school for students whose parents want to support their child's success. We are not specifically a "gifted school". As with all PWC schools, we have programs for gifted students in addition to the regular curriculum.
Q: Where is Pennington located?
A: Pennington is located at 9305 Stonewall Rd in Manassas. We are across the street from All Saints Catholic Church & school.
Q: What is expected of students who attend Pennington?
A: Pennington students are expected to give their best effort toward their work at school, at home, and in their community. They are guided and encouraged in proper behavior, proper use of language, strong study habits, and community involvement. Each student is required to perform 10-20 hours of volunteer service each year, depending on their grade level.
Q: What is expected of parents whose children attend Pennington?
A: Pennington parents are expected to give their best effort toward supporting their children's efforts at school and in the community. Each student's family is required to volunteer at the school for at least 10 hours on their behalf each school year. (Max of 40 hours per family)
Q: How do students get to school?
A: PWCS Transportation provides express bus service from local elementary and middle schools located on the western end of the county. Parents are expected to take their students to the appropriate bus stop in the morning and meet them there in the afternoon. Parents may also drop off and pick up students at Pennington.
Q: Is there a waiting list to get into Pennington?
A: Yes. All completed applications for each year are placed in a pool from which a random list of applicants is generated. Names are then taken in order from the list for each grade level as openings become available. Applications are received by Pennington, and the lottery process is handled by PWCS and Pennington administrative personnel.
Q: Are some grades easier to get into than others?
A: Yes. The majority of applications come in for first grade. First grade has the most openings, because we have no kindergarten students, so there are 72 openings each year. Second grade and up generally average only 5 or 6 openings each year.
Q: Is there a music program at Pennington?
A: Yes. Pennington has general music education in all elementary grades; as well as Strings and Band offered to fifth graders. We offer Band, Orchestra, and Chorus for all middle school students.
Q: Does Pennington have its own curriculum?
A: Pennington follows the Prince William County Public Schools curriculum.
Q: Is there a dress code at Pennington?
A: Yes. Pennington students are required to wear uniforms. They may choose from a variety of uniform options to determine their outfit for any given day. Please see the Pennington Playbook for more information on uniforms.