Logging into Canvas

Before You Read This Page

Would you prefer a video tutorial on how to set up your Canvas parent account? View the "Setting Up Your Account" video at the bottom of this page!

First Steps to Access Canvas As A Parent

To access Canvas as an observer, parents and guardians must request a Student Pairing Code from either their child or their child's teacher.

Parents and guardians who are currently PWCS employees must use a non-PWCS email address to complete the Parent Observer account setup.

After You Receive Your Student Pairing Code

After receiving their Student Pairing Codes, parents and guardians will need to sign up for a Canvas account by going to the PWCS Canvas Portal and select “Parent of a Canvas User” from the top right of the window.

PWCS Canvas Portal, with the "Parent of a Canvas User? Click Here For an Account" link circled in red.

Complete the requested fields, including the Student Pairing Code Links to an external site. provided from your child's account.

An image of the "Parent Signup" menu is Canvas.

Once you are signed-in to Canvas as an observer, you can add more students to observe. In Canvas, click on the "Account" icon located on the left navigation bar. Next, click "Observing." Here, you can see your child and add more children, if needed.

An image of the "Observing" menu in a user's Canvas account.

How to Access Canvas as a Parent Observer

Parents access Canvas via the PWCS Canvas Portal. More information can be found at PWCS Canvas site Links to an external site..

Note: It can take up to 48 hours for a parent Canvas account to be active after setting up your account.

Accessing Canvas via Mobile App

Once your account has been created, you may use the Canvas Parent App on your Apple Links to an external site. or Android Links to an external site. device to access Canvas. When using the app, parents and guardians must select the Prince William County Parents link when prompted to "Find School."