K-12 Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open for new students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Visit Enroll RPS Today!
New families: Create an account to enroll. Returning families: Use your existing login.
Need help? Watch our quick video or see:
Enroll RPS Portal: A User Guide for Parents and Guardians
Portal de Inscripción de RPS: Guía del Usuario para Padres y Tutores
Complete all required steps before your child starts school. For in-person help, contact your new school.
Need English Learner (EL) services? If you speak a language other than English at home, reach out to our Welcome Center at 804-230-2980 or email welcomecenter@rvaschools.net for additional services.
Families in transition If experiencing housing instability, homelessness, or living with non-guardian caregivers, call 804-780-6288 or email cfit@rvaschools.net for support.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Enrollment Process Overview
- Physical Exam and Immunization Community Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to re-enroll my child if they already attend RPS?
No, current RPS students do not need to re-enroll each year, except preschoolers who must enroll for kindergarten.
How do I find my school zone?
Your school zone is based on your home address. Find your child’s school using our School Locator Map.
What documents do I need for enrollment?
You will need your child’s original birth certificate (or a certified copy), immunization record, proof of a physical (within the last 12 months) and two proofs of city residency (per Richmond School Board Policy 8-2.2). For preschool enrollment, proof of income is also required.
These documents are not required to start the online form, but they will be required to finish the process. If you can’t upload them right away, you can bring them to the school by appointment.
For more info on next steps, contact your child’s new school.
What counts as proof of residency?
According to School Board Policy 8-2.2, acceptable forms of proof of residence shall include, but not be limited to, two or more of the following, which reflect the physical address of the resident:
- A U.S. or Virginia income tax return from the previous year
- A U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form from the current year or its equivalent
- A deed or lease agreement to the residence, a mortgage bill for the residence
- A voter registration card, a receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year and/or a payroll check or payroll check stub issued by an employer within the last three months.
- 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).
Additionally, 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.)
For more on special circumstances surrounding residency and admissions, please consult RPS Board Policy 8-2.2; for more information about enrollment documents, click here.
How old does my child need to be for Kindergarten?
To enter Kindergarten, your child must be 5 years old by September 30 of the school year they are enrolling.
Can I choose a school outside my zone?
Through the “Open Enrollment” process, you can apply to up to three out-of-zone schools (and Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts, if eligible). The application period begins in the fall, and students are placed in a lottery. Admission is based on lottery position and school capacity. For more information click here.
My child was homeschooled last year. Do we need to enroll?
Yes, students returning from homeschooling must enroll at enrollrps.schoolmint.com. Homeschooled students need to submit evidence of achievement per Virginia Guidelines, and if taught by a certified teacher, a letter detailing mastered content and a promotion recommendation. Please share this information with your school team when you enroll. For more information, email homeschool@rvaschools.net.
Enrollment Process Overview
Children who turn 5 years old on or before September 30 of the enrolling school year are eligible for Kindergarten. Per the Code of Virginia, parents/guardians of any child who will not have reached his sixth birthday on or before September 30 of each school year may delay the child's attendance for one year.
How to Enroll in Richmond Public Schools
1. Determine Eligibility
Your child must reside with a parent or legal guardian within Richmond City to attend RPS. Use our School Locator to check if your address falls within the RPS boundary.
Kindergarten Age Requirement: Children must be 5 years old on or before September 30 of the school year they’re enrolling. This also applies to transfers from other districts. Families can review the early kindergarten screening process if their child will turn 5 after this date.
2. Prepare Enrollment Documents
You'll need:
- Two proofs of Richmond residency
- Your child’s birth certificate (scanned/uploaded, but the original must be shown in person)
- Health records (physical and immunization)
- Proof of income (for preschool applications only)
Required documents vary by grade. Documents must be uploaded in the online form or presented during an appointment at your child’s school.
3. Complete the Online Enrollment Form
Visit Enroll RPS to begin the enrollment process. New families will need to create an account; returning families can log in using existing credentials. Watch a quick video on account creation. You can save your progress and return later, but we encourage early enrollment!
Need Additional Support?
Our staff is excited to help you with the enrollment process and and we look forward to welcoming you and your child!
If you need assistance with the online form, call your zone school to schedule an appointment (see RPS School Directory). Be sure to bring all required documents to keep visits to a minimum.
Physical Exam and Immunization Community Providers
- Document Checklist
- Proof of Residency
- Birth Certificate
- Health Requirements
- Enrollment Form User Guide
Document Checklist
Enrollment Checklist for Richmond Public Schools
This checklist will help you gather the necessary information for completing the enrollment process. It highlights key items you might need to consult from your child’s records.
Proof of Residency
☐ Two proofs of residency from the list in the Proof of Residency tab of this page, or in RPS School Board Policy 8-2.2. Use the tool below to determine which of your documents can be presented together for proof of residency.
Birth Certificate
☐ Birth certificate or certified copy.
Shared Housing / Families in Transition (if applicable)
☐ Documents needed for shared housing or families in transition (English)
☐ Documents needed for shared housing or families in transition (Spanish)
☐ Documents needed for shared housing or families in transition (Spanish)
Families in transition including: students experiencing housing instability, homelessness and living with kinship caregivers/non-guardian family members, can call (804) 780-6288 or email cfit@rvaschools.net for additional support.
Health Information
☐ Physical dated within the last 12 months (required for school entry) - VDOE School Health Entrance Form
☐ Up-to-date immunization records - Virginia immunization requirements
☐ If applicable: Health care plan(s)(e.g., Asthma Plan, Allergy Plan)
☐ If applicable: Doctor's orders for any medication administered at school
Student Supports (if applicable)
☐ Child’s current Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan
☐ List of any special services your child receives (e.g., counseling, gifted program, occupational therapy, Title I tutoring, ESL)
☐ Child’s current Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan
☐ List of any special services your child receives (e.g., counseling, gifted program, occupational therapy, Title I tutoring, ESL)
Emergency Contact / Pick-Up Contacts
☐ Name, phone number, and address of at least one non-guardian emergency contact (up to three can be provided)
☐ Name, phone number, and address of at least one non-guardian emergency contact (up to three can be provided)
Uploading and In-Person Support
Documents can be uploaded through Enroll RPS, or brought in person to your child’s school if you need help with uploading. For in-person support, contact your school to make an appointment, or they will reach out after you complete the enrollment form. Find contact info on the RPS School Directory.
Documents can be uploaded through Enroll RPS, or brought in person to your child’s school if you need help with uploading. For in-person support, contact your school to make an appointment, or they will reach out after you complete the enrollment form. Find contact info on the RPS School Directory.
Proof of Residency
Use the Proof of Residency Pairing Checker below to determine which documents pairs qualify as proof of residency.
Select from the options below
Families must provide the following documents to complete the enrollment process, as per RPS School Board Policy 8-2.2:
1. Proof of residency – Two documents proving residency must be provided. Acceptable documents include (additional exceptions are listed below):
- U.S. or Virginia income tax return from the previous year;
- U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax reporting W-2 form from the current year or its equivalent;
- Deed or lease agreement to the residence;
- Mortgage bill for the residence;
- Voter registration card;
- Receipt for personal property taxes paid within the last year;
- And/or a payroll check or payroll stub issued by an employer within the last three months
*Special Exceptions to Proof of Residency
- 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).
- 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.)
- Even if a parent or guardian opts to receive mail from the school at P.O. Box, upon enrollment and/or at the request of the child’s school, the parent or guardian will be required to provide two or more of the documents as stated above in order for the student to be declared a resident and/or enroll in RPS.
- If there is a shared housing situation per RPS procedures, the mortgage holder or leaseholder must provide two or more of the documents as stated above in order for the student to be declared a resident and/or enroll in RPS.
- When the parents of a child are unable to care for the child and the child is living, not solely for school purposes, with a relative who resides in the school division and the adult relative providing temporary kinship care as that term is defined by Virginia law, the child may enroll as a RPS student so long as (1) the adult fully completes the documentation as required by the administrative procedures promulgated by RPS’ administration; and (2) the adult with whom the child is residing shows proof of residency as required by this policy.
- When an emancipated minor is living in the school division, not solely for school purposes, the emancipated minor may enroll as student with RPS so long as (1) they provide documentation demonstrating their emancipation; and (2) the emancipated minor shows proof of residency as required by this policy
Residency documents and other related resources for families in transition are available on the Center for Families in Transition (C-FIT) page.
Birth Certificate
Birth certificate – The original or a certified copy must be uploaded to your registration. If you can't obtain a certified copy, you'll need to provide a sworn statement confirming your child’s age and explaining why the birth certificate cannot be obtained.
Health Requirements
Physical Examinations
Physical dated within the last 12 months of the first day of school is required for school entry for all students from preschool to 5th grade. A physical examination is not required for any child whose parents or guardian object on religious grounds provided the child shows no visual evidence of illness. The parent or guardian shall state in writing in the Religious Exemption Form that the child, to the best of his or her knowledge, is in good health and free of any communicable or contagious disease.
VDOE School Health Entrance Form
Religious Exemption Form - English
Religious Exemption Form - Spanish
Immunization Records
Up-to-date immunization records dated within the last 12 months of the first day of the 2025-2026 school year is required for school entry. Any student whose immunizations are incomplete may be admitted conditionally if the student provides documentation at the time of enrollment of having received at least one dose of the required immunizations accompanied by a schedule for completion of the required doses within ninety (90) days. Any student failing to comply with this schedule shall be excluded from school until his immunizations are resumed. Learn more about Virginia immunization requirements.
No certificate of immunization shall be required for school admission if (1) the student, parent or guardian submits a notarized statement that the administration of immunizations conflict with religious beliefs, (2) the school has written certification from a licensed physician, advanced practiced registered nurse or local health department that one or more of the required immunizations may be detrimental to the student’s health, or (3) the student is a homeless child or youth.
Enrollment Form User Guide
New families: Create an account when enrolling in RPS for the first time. Returning families: Use your existing login from prior enrollments or applications. Need help? Watch our quick video on how to get started!
Enroll RPS Portal: A User Guide for Parents and Guardians
Portal de Inscripción de RPS: Guía del Usuario para Padres y Tutores
