Comcast Internet Essentials Sponsorship

  • Nationwide schools are shifting toward distance learning models as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, some families in Winchester City may not have the resources necessary to effectively transition to a home-based distance learning environment. A recent survey of students in Winchester Public Schools found that approximately 6 percent of students reported they do not have broadband internet at home.

    Internet Essentials logo In an effort to help reduce the digital divide, Winchester Public Schools is proud to announce a partnership with Comcast to sponsor the cost of the company’s Internet Essentials Program for eligible households in need of home broadband. Internet Essentials is Comcast’s affordable broadband plan for low-income families that qualify for a variety of public assistance programs. The program offers speeds of 50Mbps for a monthly fee of $9.95, which Winchester Public Schools will cover for participating families.

    Program Funding

    The district has allocated an initial amount of $60,000 for the initiative, enough funding to pay for 12 months of service for up to 500 households. Funding is provided in part by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, in addition to donations from our philanthropic foundation partners J2W Foundation and Opportunity Scholars. Similarly, funding from these sources will help to ensure students with unstable housing situations can also have access to the Internet by providing mobile hotspots available for student check-out from each of the district’s seven schools.

    Students with laptops Internet For All

    The sponsorship program is the result of an Internet for All task force led by Winchester Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Van Heukelum, which includes additional members of the WPS senior leadership, as well as members of Winchester City Government, Winchester City EDA, regional philanthropic foundations, etc. The task force has been meeting regularly since early May and has actively involved representatives from local Internet Service Providers Comcast and Shentel, as well as joining with the Governor’s Chief Broadband Advisor, Evan Feinman, and other members of his team. 

    Student at computer For questions, please contact:
    Aaron McBride
    Director of Technology
    Winchester Public Schools
    (540) 667-4253
    internetessentials@wps.k12.va.us

  • “We are so excited to help facilitate the process of providing free broadband internet access to many of our students and families who most need it. We realize that our families depend on reliable Internet for their children to learn at home, as well as for family members to search for jobs, access government resources and services, connect to health care providers and so much more.”

    Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent

Sponsorship Eligibility

  • Request an Internet Essentials Promo Code To be eligible for the sponsorship, you must qualify for the Internet Essentials service. A family can qualify for the service if they are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, VA Assistance and TANF. The family must live in an area where Comcast service is available. Eligibility requirements have been expanded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so families who may not have previously been approved are encouraged to apply again. During the application process, you must enter a unique promo code, provided to you by Winchester Public Schools. To request a promo code, please fill out the Internet Essentials Promo Code Request Form or contact Lindsey Owen.