Military kids take on an extracurricular activity that you won't find listed in any school district's parent handbook - New Kid 101. As if cafeteria food and locker combinations aren't challenging enough, your military kids power through making friends and adjusting to a new curriculum and new rules every time you move.
Department of Defense Education Activity schools provide pre-k - grade 12 curricula for children of service members and Department of Defense civilians competitive with any school system. Discover where to find these schools, what to do if you aren't near one, if your kids are eligible to attend, and why it's an option that can make fitting in one less thing to worry about.
Parents of school-age military children often start researching schools as soon as orders are official. If you're considering a Department of Defense Education Activity school for the first time or you're wondering if it's the right choice for your military children, consider what these schools have to offer:
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- Teachers, administrators and staff are trained to recognize the needs of military-connected students and their challenges, including frequent moves, transitions and separations from parents.
- Rankings above the national average according to standardized test scores.
- Use of the Web-based GradeSpeed program, which allows you to check grades and attendance, and email with your child's teachers.
- Access to your child's academic records online with My Data Button. No more waiting in line at the principal's office.
- Use of the Department of Defense Education Activity virtual high school, where your high school student can take required classes during transitions.
- Advanced placement science, technology, engineering and math classes.
- Mobile schools. Curriculum materials and creative software are available at some schools via laptop from any location.
Where can you find Department of Defense Education Activity schools?
Not every installation has them. There are currently 181 schools in 12 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico. That's a big area to cover, so the schools are grouped into three regions:
Now that you've narrowed it down to three corners of the world, you'll want to know if there's one in your neighborhood. Visit the Department of Defense Education Activity website, use the Find Your School search tool, click Go and voila, you have a list of school districts in your region.
Explore the search results to reach individual schools, where you can check out your son's future elementary school for school policies or your daughter's future middle school for dress code information.
Is your child eligible?
Good question - like many things in the military, it varies on your location, your situation and available resources.
In the continental United States, the following students are eligible for tuition-free enrollment:
- Pre-k - grade 12 students
- Dependent children of service members living in permanent housing on base
- Children of federal government civilians living in permanent housing on base
Children of service members or federal government civilians living off base can be accepted if space and resources allow.
Outside the continental United States, the following students are eligible for tuition-free enrollment:
- Pre-k - grade 12 students
- Command-sponsored children of service members
- Command-sponsored children of Department of Defense civilians
Other children may qualify on a tuition-paying basis if space is available:
- Children of defense contractors whose contract allows for the education of dependent children in Department of Defense schools
- Children of non-Department of Defense federal employees
- Children of foreign national military members serving on the installation
If you are unsure if your child qualifies for enrollment, visit the Department of Defense Education Activity website for your district's contact information.
You're overseas, but nowhere near a Department of Defense Education Activity school
Don't panic, you will not have to carpool to a neighboring country before the tardy bell Monday through Friday. In these cases, the Department of Defense supports students through the Non-Department of Defense Schools Program. Your options include:
- Homeschool
- Private school
- Public school
You must register and receive approval from the Non-Department of Defense Schools Program office before you enroll your child in a Non-Department of Defense school to receive funding. Your best bet is to contact the school liaison for your area to narrow down your children's options in these situations. Find the contact information on the Non-Department of Defense School page.
Let Military OneSource help you with your tough questions - enrollment-related, not trigonometry-related. Read more about your children's education options or call 800-342-9647 for an education specialty consultation.