New Student Enrollment
Including PK & Kindergarten Registration for 2026-2027 School Year

Welcome to Essex County Public Schools! This page provides directions to enroll your new student(s) for the 2026–2027 school year.

New and Former students returning to the division should complete this process. The online process requires a valid email address. Please note that enrollment is not complete until all the steps are complete and all the required documents have been submitted to the school.

Please do not complete this Online Enrollment process if a student is currently enrolled. Contact the school if you have questions.

STEP 1- Complete the New Student Pre-Registration form
STEP 2- Access your PowerSchool Parent Account
STEP 3- Complete the Online Forms for New Students
STEP 4- Submit Required Documents

STEP 1: New Student Pre-Registration form

1. Complete the New Student Pre-Registration form by clicking this link: Essex County New Student Pre-Registration Form

2. When the form is submitted, you will receive an email from donotreply@powerschool.com to confirm your pre-registration form was received. The subject of the email will be "Enrollment Pre-Registration Received for Essex County Schools".

3. After the form is approved, you will receive another email and the subject will be "Enrollment Approved- Welcome to Essex County Public Schools!". This email will contain information required to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

4. Locate the Access ID and Access Password in the "Welcome to Essex County Public Schools!" email before you continue to STEP 2.

**If you did not receive an email, check your SPAM/JUNK folder.... Still no email? Contact the school registrar for help or send an email to technology@essex.k12.va.us. (See bottom of page for contact info)

STEP 2: Access your PowerSchool Parent Account

Do you have another child already enrolled in Essex? If YES, then do not create a new account. You will need to access your existing Parent Portal account and use the Access ID and Access Password to add the child and complete the forms. If you do not remember your login information, email technology@essex.k12.va.us. If you forgot your Username or Password, you can Recover your Account Sign In Information. You can also view the ECPS PowerSchool Parent User Guide for help with any part of this process.

If you are NEW to Essex, follow these directions:

1. Visit https://essex.powerschool.com/public and Click the ‘Create Account’ Button.

2. Enter the Parent Information: Fill in the Parent Name, Email, desired Username, and password (Password must have 8 characters). **SAVE your Username and Password to use later!

3. Enter the Student Information: Fill in the Student Name, Access ID, Access Password, and choose the correct relationship. Use the full legal name of the student.

4. Click the "Enter" button at the bottom of the page.

5. Next, check your Email! ….You will receive an email and you Must click the link in your email to verify the account before you can login.

STEP 3: Complete Enrollment Forms in PowerSchool Parent Portal

You can complete the Enrollment Forms using a smartphone or computer. PowerSchool Mobile can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. If using the mobile app to your device, you will need to enter the District Code when you sign into the app, prior to entering your username and password. The District Code for Essex County Public Schools is MHDL

1. Login to the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Use the Mobile App or visit the following website on a computer: https://essex.powerschool.com/public/home.html

2. In the PowerSchool Parent Portal, click "Forms" on the left menu, then select the Enrollment tab. ECPS New Student Registration

3. There are 8 New Student Registration Forms that need to be completed. You will automatically be taken to the next form when you hit submit.

STEP 4: Submit Required Documents to the School

Student enrollment will not be complete until parents have presented the following documents to the enrolling school. Parents will need to contact the school to schedule an enrollment appointment.

Tappahannock Elementary School (Pk-4): 804-443-5301
James H. Cary Intermediate School (5-8): 804-443-3040
Essex High School (9-12): 804-443-4301

For PreK Registration
*Your child must be 4 years old by September 30 and be potty-trained.
Please bring the following to the school:

• Birth Certificate

• School Entrance Health Form

• Record of Immunizations

• 2 Proofs of Residency in Essex County with physical 911 address

• Statement of Income (3 pay stubs, copy of 2020 W2 form, SSI, or other acceptable documents as proof of income or other financial support)

For Kindergarten Registration
*Your child must be 5 years old by September 30, 2022
Please bring the following to the school:

• Birth Certificate

• School Entrance Health Form

• Record of Immunizations

• 2 Proofs of Residency in Essex County with physical 911 address

For Grades 1st through 12th Registration
Please bring the following to the school:

• Birth Certificate

• School Entrance Health Form

• Record of Immunizations

• 2 Proofs of Residency in Essex County with physical 911 address