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Student Registration

Welcome to APS! Use the information and tools below to register your child for school. Every student is guaranteed a space in the neighborhood school designated by their home address.

Use the School Boundary (Attendance Zone) Locator to find your school.

Registrations are currently being accepted for the 2024-25 school year. Only students new to APS need to register.

Registration Options

1. Online

  • Upload required documents.
  • Virtual meeting with an APS registrar.

 

OR

2.  At your neighborhood school.

  • Contact the school to schedule an appointment.
  • Submit registration documents to the school.

OR

3. At the APS Welcome Center (2110 Washington Blvd., 1st floor)

  • Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Call 703-228-8000 (select option 1 – Welcome Center) or email registration@apsva.us to schedule an appointment.
  • Bring required documents to appointment.

Age Requirements

  • Registration is available for children who are between ages 5 and 18 on Sept. 30 of the current school year.
  • Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and English Learners may be eligible for school until age 22.
  • Limited services are available for students over 18.

Kindergarten

  • Children who turn five years old by September 30th of the current school year may enter kindergarten.
  • Kindergarten is recommended, but not required by law.
    • Families that choose not to enroll their student in Kindergarten must inform the Office of Elementary Education and Early Childhood Pre-K Programs in writing (Send correspondence to: 2110 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204 or earlychildhood@apsva.us)
  • Virginia Law requires all children who will turn six years old by Sept. 30 to enroll in school.
  • Learn about Kindergarten.

Families who Speak a Language Other than English

Families who speak a language other than English should start the registration process at the APS Welcome Center (2110 Washington Blvd., 1st floor).

The Welcome Center provides:

  • Language Assessment for students whose first language, home language or spoken language is not English
  • Registration assistance for any family
  • Registration documents translated into our primary languages
  • Interpretation services through the registration process and throughout a student’s education in APS

Additional Registration Information

  • APS does not register students who have terminal diplomas.
  • Registration begins Feb. 1 for the following school year.
  • There is no deadline for registration; however, parents are encouraged to register early.
  • All registration and health requirements must be met for a child to be enrolled.

Option Schools and Programs

Option schools and programs offer specialized instruction as an alternative to the designated neighborhood school. Interested students must complete an online application during a specific time period.

New APS families interested in applying to an option school are encouraged to register for their neighborhood school.

  • If a space in an option school is offered to a family, the registration documentation provided will be transferred to the option school.
  • If a student is placed on a waitlist for an option school, registering at their neighborhood school guarantees they will have a space for the upcoming school year.

Special Circumstances

Contact 703-228-8000 (option 1) or registration@apsva.us prior to registration if:

  • Enrolling a child for whom you are not the Parent or Legal Guardian (Kinship Care)
  • Student is an unaccompanied minor
  • Student is being placed by Social Services
  • Student is 18 or over

Complex Living Situations
If you are student or family experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed, please contact:

The APS Handbook and Student Code of Conduct describes students’ rights and responsibilities.

APS Handbook

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