Enrollment Document Requirements
Families of new RPS students must provide the following documents to complete the enrollment process, 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.
2. Birth certificate – Either the original or a certified copy must be presented in person. A photocopy of the child's birth certificate will not meet this requirement. If a certified copy of the child's birth certificate cannot be obtained, the person enrolling the child must submit a sworn statement setting forth the child's age and explaining the inability to present a certified copy.
3. Immunization Record – 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 90 days.
4. Comprehensive Physical Examination – Necessary for any new students and for admission to any elementary school. The physical must:
- Be performed within the 12 months prior to the date of entrance OR
- Include records of a physical examination from another school division within the Commonwealth of Virginia
5. Current Individual Education Plan (IEP) – Only necessary if student is currently receiving exceptional education services.
6. Current 504 Plan – Only necessary if student currently has an active 504 Plan.
7. Most Recent Report Card – Required only for students admitted to Governor’s School, though your child's school may request this to assist with scheduling.
Documents can be uploaded to a child's enrollment form in Enroll RPS, or brought in-person to their enrolling school if technical support uploading them is needed.
If you would like to make an in-person visit for enrollment support, please reach out to your school to make an appointment (or they will reach out upon completion of your enrollment form). School contact information is available on individual school websites and the school directory.