PowerSchool Parent Portal Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I contact with general PowerSchool Parent Portal questions:
IF this FAQ does not answer your question you can contact your child’s school. Service is offered as a best effort. The division cannot troubleshoot home computer issues.
What are the system requirements for the PowerSchool Parent Portal?
It is strongly recommended to use a computer and not a cellphone. You may use any computer. We have computers setup at the schools ready for you to use.

Logging Into Parent Portal

Where do I go to access the Parent and Student Portal? You can find the link on the Washington County Homepage under Parents "PowerSchool Parent and Student Portal" and click on the link titled, "Parent and Student Portal." Or, click on https://powerschoolapp.wcs.k12.va.us/public/
I forgot my login information for my Parent and Student Portal account.
Click on the blue link that says "Forgot Username or Password?" It will step you through the process of requesting your account information. The information will be sent to the email you linked to your PowerSchool Parent Portal account. Or, click here
Where do I get an Access ID and Access Password for my child?
You will need to go, in person, to your child’s school so they can verify your identity and give your Access ID and Access Password. Only legal guardians may pick up a students access key information.
Does the school setup my PowerSchool Parent Portal Account?
No, you set up your own account. Instructions are available here. You will need click on the Create Account tab.
Why am I not getting a confirmation email after requesting username or password help?
Ensure your internet connection is strong. Most email providers/programs run some type of Spam guard program. If you do not see an email from noreply@wcs.k12.va.us, check inside your SPAM folder, Junk mail folder, Bulk Items folder or Trash Folder to see if the email landed in any of those folders. It is recommended to add this address to your contacts list to insure delivery. Also, you may have forgotten to update your email address in the PowerSchool Parent Portal when you switched email addresses. If that is the case, you will need to contact your student's school and ask them to update it for you. Then you will be able to go through the process of resetting your own username or password.

Registration / Update Student Data

My student ended the year at a WCS classroom, how do I update my student's information for the new school year? We encourage each family to take responsibility for their students' information via Parent Portal. Login to https://powerschoolapp.wcs.k12.va.us/public/. You can register by clicking Forms on the left side of your Parent Portal account, then click on the Enrollment tab to see the list of Forms that correspond to your family data. You can also change your PowerSchool Parent Portal account information and your email preferences. These changes will also update School Messenger.
We are new to the area. How do I register my student first time at WCS? If your student is new to WCS this year, follow this link to pre-register your student here.
My student attended WCS before, but didn't end the current school year at WCS. How do I get into Parent Portal? You will need a new Access ID and Access Password. The legal guardian can get the codes from your school with a valid ID.
Why am I not receiving email notifications that I signed up for?
You may have forgotten to update your email address in the PowerSchool Parent Portal when you switched email addresses. You can update it by logging in and updating your information in Account Preferences. Also, most email providers/programs run some type of Spam guard program. If you do not see an email from noreply@wcs.k12.va.us, check inside your SPAM folder, Junk mail folder, Bulk Items folder or Trash Folder to see if the email landed in any of those folders. It is recommended to add this address to your contacts list to insure delivery.

Additional Students / Accounts

Do I have to have a separate account for each of my children?
No! You can have one account with all of your children attached. First you must pick up the students' Access ID and Password from his/her school. Next, while signed in on the web portal (not the app), go to Account Preferences, click on the Students tab, then the Add + button and enter your student's Access ID and Access Password.Click here for instructions.
Can both parents have a PowerSchool Parent Portal Account with different usernames and passwords?
Yes! Both parents can have their own separate parent portal account. You can also allow access for other guardians as well. Perhaps they are staying with their grandmother for a time; you can allow her to setup her own account too.
What do I do if I do not want a particular person to have access to my child, but I already gave them the Access Id and Password?
If this is a custody change issue, you will need to get a court order to prevent a parent from having access to your child’s account, just as you would to prevent them from having access to their information within the school. If this is an auxiliary adult, like an aunt or an uncle who no longer needs access, you can request the school to have the account disabled/removed and the student’s Access ID changed to prevent them from setting up a new account.
I lost my original PowerSchool Parent Portal Information letter, how can I get another copy?
The letter is typically not needed once you create your account. But, if it is needed you must pick up a copy at your child’s school. Be prepared to provide a photo ID.

Access to Grades

Will the PowerSchool Parent Portal be up all year?
In the event that we do an upgrade to the system, we may take it down temporarily. It will also be inaccessible at the end of each grading period and periodically during the summer when we are updating information and scheduling for the upcoming year.
How quickly will students’ grades and attendance be available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal?
The information is in real-time. As soon as a teacher publishes grades or takes attendance on your child, it shows up in the PowerSchool Parent Portal right away. Grades will be entered in a timely manner. It is not expected, however, that a test or major assignment will be graded and entered into PowerSchool Parent Portal the same day it is completed. Depending on the complexity of the assignment it may be several school days before the grades are posted into the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please be patient.
Even though I can see my child's grades online, will students still receive mid-term and report card grades?
Yes, a paper report card will be distributed each grading period. To receive mid-term reports parents must opt-in through the PowerSchool Parent Portal to receive a summary report of grades at any time.
Who do I contact with a question about my child’s grades?
Contact your child’s individual teacher with specific grading questions.
How often will my student’s grades be updated?
You will need to discuss this with your child’s school. There is no current county policy of how often the grades must be updated.
Do all teachers post grade and attendance information to the PowerSchool Parent Portal?
First through twelfth grade teachers will enter grades. Remember, the teacher's grade book is a "snapshot in time" and not necessarily an accurate reflection of the student's overall progress or performance. Similarly, the student's grade average may change depending on the weight or value of graded work.
Will I still be able to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal if my child transfers to another school?
If a student transfers to another school within Washington County, VA parent/guardian accounts will still be valid. No further action will be required of the parent to access his/her account.
What happens to my account if my child transfers out of the WCS division?
This access is a service offered to all parents/guardians of currently active students. Once a student is withdrawn or graduates from the division, the PowerSchool Parent Portal account will be inactivated.