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School Admission Standards for Residents
School Board Policy JEC, School Admission, Section I (“Resident”), to determine eligibility for admission to Portsmouth Public Schools on a non-tuition basis.
Any child who registers MUST:
- Reach his/her fifth birthday on or before September 30th of the school year*
- Not reach his/her 20th birthday on or before August 1st of the school year
- Reside in Portsmouth or be eligible for admission under School Board Policy JECA - Admission of Homeless Children, or meet the nonresidency admission standards addressed below
* The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children allows for children covered under the compact to continue in their current grade level (including kindergarten) if the student began their enrollment in that grade level in another state where the minimum age was lower than required under Virginia law.
School Admission Standards for Military Families
A child of a person on Active Military Duty:
- Who lives with a noncustodial parent or other person may continue to attend school in Portsmouth Public Schools which they attended when they resided with the custodial parent free of charge. (§§ 22.1-3.A.3 and (§ 22.1-360,Art. VI of the Code)
- Whose parent(s) received an order for relocation to military housing in another Virginia school division, may remain enrolled in Portsmouth Public Schools free of charge.(§ 22.1-3.B.1 of the Code)
- Whose parent(s) received an order for relocation whose to another school division or to be deployed, may remain enrolled in Portsmouth Public Schools free of charge until the end of the school year. (§ 22.1-3.B.2 of the Code)
- Whose parent(s) received an order for relocation whose intended residence is in Portsmouth, may enroll in Portsmouth Public Schools free of charge once the parent is relocated pursuant to orders received.
The permanent address of the intended residence must be established in Portsmouth Public Schools within 120 days, otherwise Portsmouth Public Schools may charge tuition. (§ 22.1-3.B.3 of the Code)
- Who reside in a military installation or military housing located in Portsmouth may enroll in any Portsmouth Public School upon request of the parent if there is space available. (§ 22.1-7.2 of the Code)
School Admission Standards for Non-Residents
Tuition may be charged for children who do not reside in Portsmouth or are not otherwise eligible. Tuition rates are established within legal guidelines and School Board regulations. For more information, read School Board Policy JEC, School Admission, or call the Office of Student Services at 757-393-8354.
School Admission Standards for Residents
The Portsmouth School Board cares about educating children who are homeless. For more information, refer to School Board Policy JECA - Admission of Homeless Children, or call the Office of Student Services at 757-393-8354.
For additional resources, contact the Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition (PARC) at 757-966-2107.