Education System
SCHOOL OPTIONS
What school options are available for my children? You may choose to enroll your children into the public (state-sponsored) school system at no cost or opt to place your child in a private school. The quality of schools varies in both the private and public sectors; a decision about the appropriate school can only be made in light of the quality of a given school for a particular child and is a personal decision.
Am I required to provide my child’s health and immunization record when enrolling for school? YES. Immunization records must be produced for each child enrolled in public and private school. Ensure that your child’s record indicates the day, month and year the immunization was given. In addition, school physicals are required prior to a child being admitted to school. The immunizations required to attend schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia are determined by the Virginia Department of Public Health. Please consult the schools websites or call the school directly regarding immunization requirements and enrollment.
What is the Virginia Health form and where can I find it? The Virginia Health form MCH-213G is a mandatory document recording the history of your child’s immunizations and general health and well-being. It is to be completed by a physician/doctor within 30 days of registering your child in a school. The form and additional information can be found at http://www.doe.virginia.gov.
How do I choose a Private School in the local area? If you choose a private school, ensure that the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) accredits (recognizes) that private school—not all private schools are accredited. You may wish to consult the VAIS web site at http://www.vais.org. Although private schools generally have a better reputation and a broader syllabus, local public schools are well regarded. Ask your sponsor or a colleague who has school age children.
What will it cost to send my child to a private school? The cost of private school ranges from $5,000 to $14,000 or more per calendar school year depending on a child’s grade level, extracurricular activities offered, location, reputation, etc. Many private schools will provide transportation for an additional fee.
Where can I find additional information? Consult http://www.vcpe.org which will give you a full list of accredited Private schools.
How do I choose a Public School? If you choose to place your children in public school, your place of residence will determine which school your child will attend. This is obviously an extremely important consideration when looking for housing. Zoning in this regard is strictly enforced unless you receive a waiver (out-of-zone) from the school you would like your child to attend and from the school your child should attend (the procedure is difficult, requires reapplying each year, and is often unsuccessful). Although the Virginia Department of Education sets educational standards and administrative regulations for all public schools throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, each area city has its own school district, and policies regarding acceptable behaviour, campus policies, etc., which may vary. Bus transportation is provided daily for public school students who are not in a “walking zone”.
How do I find out about the public schools in the city I intend to rent a home in? Here are the administrative office numbers and public school web links for the most popular cities:
Virginia Beach +1 757 263 1000 http://www.vbschools.com
Norfolk +1 757 628 3830 http://www.nps.k12.va.us
Chesapeake +1 757 547 1047 http://www.cpschools.com
Virginia Department of Education http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
Is there a minimum age that children can start school? YES. For enrollment purposes, "school age" is defined as a child who has reached his/her 5th birthday on or before September 30 of the school year. This is a Virginia Department of Education Policy and is consistent throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Are there any exceptions to this minimum requirement? YES, in some instances. Some school districts have a policy under which they can grant a waiver to the "school age" requirement (Virginia Beach will not waive the age requirement); however, the parents must pay “tuition” for the child to attend public school if they are not of “school age”, which would otherwise be at no cost. Most private schools will permit early enrollment provided the child satisfies their minimum requirements for enrollment into the Kindergarten programme.
How are the school years/grades structured in relation to age? Children start school at age 5, attending “half-day” Kindergarten until first grade (Norfolk Public Schools have full-day Kindergarten). Children attend Elementary (or Primary) School for grades 1 through 5 (children range in age from 6-11) and then transfer to Middle (or Intermediate/Junior High) School for grades 6 through 8 (average age range is 12-15). Grades 9 through 12 are completed at High (or Secondary) School.
I have heard of the Advanced Programs, Academies and International Baccalaureate programmes. What are these and where can I find additional information? Some local cities have “academy” programmes where a student, upon application acceptance, can earn credits towards an international baccalaureate degree or a specialized area of study (medical, legal, technology, etc.). If these academy programs are available in the city where you plan to reside, they will be detailed on that city’s public school web site (URLs provided above). Admission to these programmes is highly competitive and normally requires submission of an application prior to the month of March for enrollment the following September. Information regarding these programmes can be found at:
International Baccalaureate: http://www.ibo.org
Virginia Beach Academy/IB Program:
High School: http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/academyprog/
Princess Anne High School
Middle School (6th-8th grades): http://www.vbschools.com/curriculum/advanced_academic/middle_years.asp
Plaza Middle School
Norfolk IB Program:
High School (IB Program): http://www.ibo.org/school/000991/
Granby High School
Middle School (6th-8th grades):
http://ww2.nps.k12.va.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=47
(“School of International Studies at Rosemont”)
For any uncertainties you may have regarding education and studying whilst you, your spouse and/or your children are living in Virginia, please consult the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website (http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/Nonimmigrant%20Class%20Who%20Can%20Study.pdf) that confirms that NATO Staff Members’ and their families are permitted to study in the United States.
My child received a 'Code of Student Conduct', which must be signed by both the child and parent. Is this normal procedure, and is there anything in particular with which I should be concerned? YES, this is normal procedure, and is requested at the beginning of each school year, or upon enrolment if your child enrols mid-year. The signature of both the parent and child is required to ensure that they have received and reviewed a copy of the code of conduct. The codes of student conduct are published on each school division's website. These codes of conduct provide information regarding the expectations for behaviour and conduct in school and at all school related activities. These codes of conduct also include information regarding consequences and disciplinary measures for unacceptable behaviour.
You should read this document carefully and discuss with your child. Your child should understand the consequences for certain actions as many school divisions have adopted a "zero tolerance" policy for many infractions, which could include in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspension and expulsion—sometimes permanently from the school.
UNIVERSITY-LEVEL EDUCATION (Post-Secondary Education):
Do dependents ordinarily accompany the sponsor to study at US universities and colleges? YES, in many instances, international personnel choose to have their older, dependent children come and live in the United States while they are posted to the Headquarters so that their children can attend an American university or college.
Are the fees for university/college expensive? YES. Tuition costs and fees for American universities, especially private institutions, can be quite expensive.
Where can I find additional information regarding fees? You should consult the web sites of individual universities regarding the tuition and other related costs of attending as well as their enrollment requirements.
I have heard of in-state tuition rates at a university or college in Virginia. Is this accurate, and am I eligible for in-state tuition rates in Virginia because I am living in Virginia? In the Commonwealth of Virginia, if a student is considered a “resident” and is attending a public university (one that is supported, in part, by State funds or subsidy), the student may be eligible for in-state tuition, which reduces the cost of tuition by approximately two thirds (of the total cost). When the student is not self-supporting, such as is the case with dependent children of NATO/PfP personnel, the parent must prove ‘residency’. Additional information can be found in the next few questions in this section.
Am I, as the sponsor/staff member, considered a “resident” in Virginia? NO. The NATO SOFA, and PfP SOFA, by incorporation, states that members of the force “shall not be considered as acquiring any right to permanent residence or domicile in the receiving State” [the United States in this instance] (Article III, Paragraph 1). You are not considered “resident” simply by living in or ‘residing’ in Virginia.
What agreements govern my posting and do these agreements allow me to establish residency for the purposes of enjoying in-state tuition for my dependents? Military personnel assigned to this Headquarters are posted pursuant to the Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status of their Forces (NATO SOFA), and the Agreement among the States parties to the North Atlantic Treaty and the Other States participating in the Partnership for Peace regarding the Status of their Forces (PfP SOFA), which incorporates the provisions of the NATO SOFA. There are additional international agreements, which extend benefits and privileges to international staff, depending upon the nature and location of their posting, but for purposes of the issue of residency, the focus is on the SOFA since no greater benefits are afforded by other applicable agreements.
Are tuition costs then related to residency? YES, for state-supported/sponsored colleges and universities costs are related to residency. The SOFA provision referenced above is an important provision since the amount of tuition is directly tied to whether the (prospective) student is a “resident” or “non-resident”, meaning has the student (or his/her parent) established “domicile”, or residency.
In our NATO/PfP status, can we establish domicile and enjoy in-state tuition rates? NOT ordinarily. There is an existing regulation in the Virginia Administrative Code that specifically excludes individuals in “NATO-2” status from establishing domicile based upon the express language in the NATO SOFA, and therefore specifically makes such personnel and their dependents ineligible to receive in-state tuition from Virginia State colleges and universities unless another agreement or arrangement is in place which extends the equivalent of in-state tuition to the student:
Aliens admitted into the United States, pursuant to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, who are members of the armed forces are not eligible under the terms of this agreement to establish domicile in the United States [emphasis added] (8VAC40-120-110(u)(8).
Since establishment of domicile (or intent to establish domicile) is a necessary requirement to receive in-state tuition, this regulation necessarily precludes international staff posted pursuant to the SOFA, and their dependents, from receiving this benefit.
Can a university/college offer in-state tuition rates to NATO or PfP personnel or their dependents? YES. A university or college may extend reduced tuition rates, based upon an agreement, such as the agreement between HQ SACT and Old Dominion University (ODU), or other arrangement, on a grant or similar basis. Such reduced tuition rates are not ordinarily extended by colleges or universities to students (or their parents) who do not meet the requirements, or who are otherwise expressly precluded from establishing domicile.
Who should I contact to confirm if a local university/college will extend the in-state tuition rates to me or my dependents? You should consult the HQ SACT Staff Officer (TSC-PFX-0090) in the Strategic Plans and Policy Branch upon, or prior to, arrival to determine whether your dependent is eligible for reduced tuition under the terms of the agreement between HQ SACT and ODU, or whether there are agreements with other local education institutions for reduced tuition.
I presumed that I would be granted in-state rates automatically? There is no objection to the extension of reduced tuition rates to international staff or their dependents; however, it is inaccurate to assert, or for national authorities to certify, that Virginia universities or colleges are required to grant such benefit.
