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Required Documents to Apply

To apply for RPS Preschool which includes the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), Head Start (HS), and the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program, please follow the next two steps:

  1. Complete the online preschool application. The application will open February 24, 2025.
  2. Provide the following required documents:
  • Original or certified child’s birth certificate
  • Two Proofs of Residence
  • Proof of Income
  • Up-to-Date Immunization and Physical Exam Records
  • Individualized Education Program (IEP), if Applicable
  • Court-ordered Custody Paperwork, if Applicable

Birth Certificate

The child must be 3 or 4-years-old by September 30, 2025. One of the following documents must be presented electronically or in person:

  • Original birth certificate or a certified copy. We cannot accept a photocopy
  • Reliable proof of the student's identity and age
  • Affidavit explaining the inability to produce a certified copy of the birth record

Proofs of Residence

The child must live in the City of Richmond. Two of the following documents must be presented prior to admission of the student:

  • 2024 U.S. or Virginia income tax return
  • 2024 U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting 
  • 2024 W-2 form or its equivalent
  • Current Notice of Action from the Department of Social Services (please include front and back pages)
  • Deed or lease agreement to the residence in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian
  • Mortgage bill for the residence in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian
  • RRHA rent calculation summary (RRHA residents can provide their calculation summary as both proofs of residence and proof of income)
  • Voter registration card
  • Receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year
  • Most recent payroll check or payroll check stub issued by an employer
  • A utility bill will be accepted, and will be counted as one of the two proofs of residence, only if the utility bill is presented in conjunction with a lease or mortgage bill that shows the same address as the utility bill and is in the same name as the person enrolling the student (pre-marriage names will be accepted if a picture I.D. is presented)
  • A driver’s license or Virginia state issued identification card will be accepted, and will be counted as one of the two proofs of residence, only if the driver’s license or Virginia state issued I.D. is presented in conjunction with a lease or mortgage bill that shows the same address as the driver’s license or Virginia state issued I.D and is in the same name as the person enrolling the student (pre-marriage names will be accepted since a picture I.D. is being presented.) 

Please carefully read the scenarios listed below and provide the documentation that applies to your child’s living situation. 

Possible Living Situation #1 

If you own and live in the property of your residence, you will need to provide:

  1. A deed or a mortgage statement in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian showing residence property address;

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

  1. A utility bill, a driver’s license, Virginia state issued identification card, a 2024 U.S. or Virginia income tax return, a 2024 W-2 form, a voter registration card, a receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year, or a payroll check or payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last three months.

Possible Living Situation #2 

If you rent and live in the rental property, you will need to provide:

  1. A Copy of the lease/rental agreement in the name of the child’s parent or legal guardian showing residence property address.

    AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
     
  2. A utility bill, a driver’s license, Virginia state issued identification card, a 2024 U.S. or Virginia income tax return, a 2024 W-2 form, a voter registration card, a receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year, or a payroll check or payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last three months.

Possible Living Situation #3 

If you are living at a property with the owner or being rented by another person, you will need to provide:

  1. A notarized shared housing form 

AND

  1. The mortgage holder or leaseholder’s deed, mortgage statement, or Lease/Rental Agreement;

    AND
     
  2. The mortgage holder or leaseholder’s utility bill, a driver’s license or Virginia state issued identification card.

Families in transition, including students experiencing housing instability, houselessness and living with kinship caregivers/non-guardian family members, can call (804) 780-6288 or email cfit@rvaschools.net for additional support.

Proof of Income

One of the following documents must be presented for adults living in the household that are financially responsible for the child:

  • 2024 U.S. or Virginia income tax return
  • 2024 U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting 
  • 2024 W-2 form or its equivalent
  • Letter from employer on company letterhead indicating parent/guardian name and weekly income
  • Recent pay stub
  • Current Notice of Action from Department of Social Services (please include front and back pages) 
  • Current TANF verification
  • Current SSI verification
  • Child support court documents
  • Current SNAP verification
  • Unemployment verification letter
  • RRHA rent calculation summary (RRHA residents can provide their calculation summary as both proofs of residence and proof of income)

Up-to-Date Immunization and Physical Exam Records 

  • Up-to-date immunization records 
  • School entrance physical exam (within the 12 months before the first day of school)
  • Up-to-date dental exam (this will only be required for students accepted and enrolled in the Head Start program. Parents will be notified if required for their child).

Individualized Education Program (IEP), if Applicable

When a child is found eligible for special education services, an individualized education program (IEP) is developed to support their learning and academic needs. Services, placement and goals/objectives for learning are addressed in the IEP. 

For additional information, please contact the office of Preschool Reception and Diagnostic Services at (804) 780-8058.

Families of children with special needs are encouraged to apply to preschool.

Court-ordered Custody Paperwork, if Applicable

Court-ordered custody paperwork is required to enroll a child if the enrolling adult is not the parent listed on the birth certificate, to prove legal guardianship or custody and verify the adult’s authority to make educational decisions, or if the child lives with someone other than their parent/guardian due to a court order.

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