Pre-K to 12 Education

School liaisons are the main contact for military families, local school systems and installation command for school-related matters pre-K through 12. Local school liaisons help with transition support before and after a PCS and assist military-connected children with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, or MIC3.

School liaisons:

• Provide information on school districts and boundaries
• Assist with transfer of credits and class registration
• Help locate after-school and extracurricular programs
• Set up tutoring and youth sponsorship referrals
• Help with college, career and military readiness
• Connect families to the Exceptional Family Member Program and the new school’s special education department
• Help families navigate the new school district’s special education program
• Connect homeschooling families to the most up-to-date resources and information for your state or installation

The Military Child Education Coalition educates, advocates and collaborates on behalf of military-connected children to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle. MCEC offers programs, initiatives and resources to both military families and educators. MCEC also supports military-connected students through peer-to-peer mentoring programs, the Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program, student-focused webinars and their Student Advisory Council.

Currently homeschooling or considering homeschooling as an option?

• Talk to your local school liaison about the most up-to-date resources and information for your state or installation.
• Find homeschooling support and activities when you are located on an installation through Department of War Education Activity, or DoWEA.
• Connect your student to peers, explore a variety of installation youth and teen programs.
• Find additional helpful considerations in the homeschooling guide for military families article.

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families can help your student stay ahead or get caught up. Live tutors are online and can help with homework, studying, test prep, proofreading, organizational skills and more. Tutoring and homework support is available 24/7 at no cost to:

• Active-duty service members, their spouses, and K-12 and college-age dependents
• Surviving spouses (unmarried)
• Surviving dependent children and orphans of personnel who died on active duty or while in retired status (whether the surviving spouse remarries or not)

Head Start is a federally funded program that teaches reading, math and other developmental skills to children 5 and younger before they start school.

Head Start serves:

• Families with children from birth to age 5
• Pregnant women and expectant families
• Children in families that meet federal low‑income guidelines, including:
  • Income at or below the federal poverty guidelines
  • Families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Families receiving Supplemental Security Income
  • Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

• Foster children or children with special needs
• Children experiencing homelessness

Head Start programs may also enroll a limited number of children who do not meet any of the above criteria. Check the Head Start eligibility and enrollment guidelines to see if you qualify.

Prekindergarten is a Department of War Education Activity program open to all eligible dependents and families in most locations throughout DoWEA who meet the four-year-old age requirement.

Sure Start assists qualified preschool-age military children living overseas in Ansbach and Wiesbaden, Germany. The program offers:

• Full-day comprehensive preschool education for eligible dependents
• Health and nutrition services that include medical, dental and developmental screenings as well as nutritious snacks and lunch at no charge
• Close cooperation with social services and supplemental resources that may be available for participating families within the community
• Parent-involvement services that provide for two-way communication between parents and teachers and opportunities for parents to participate in their child’s learning experiences, including home visits and school conferences

To qualify, your child must turn 4 years old by Sept. 1 of the enrolling school year and be a command-sponsored dependent.

Learn more about eligibility and registration.

DOW MWR Libraries is a free, online virtual collection for service members and military families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages — including eBooks and audiobooks on virtually every topic that can be checked out through phone library apps. Children, youth and teens can learn to read, explore interests, research school assignments, access professional tutors for homework help and much more.

Military OneSource education consultants can assist you with questions about your student’s education. One-on-one sessions are free and confidential and can provide you with referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in your area as well as public and private school information. Contact Military OneSource any time to schedule an appointment. Call 800-342-9647, view international calling options or log in to start a secure live chat.

Student 2 Student is a student-led and faculty-advised program from the Military Child Education Coalition that brings military-connected and civilian students together to welcome new students and create a positive environment for all to help ease school transitions. Peers show new students their new campus and introduce them to the community. It provides fun ways for new students to get to know other students, build new peer groups and encourage new students to perform better in school.

Anchored4Life is a peer-to-peer club that connects youth and helps them build confidence and resiliency skills to advocate for themselves, regardless of their situation. In addition to in-person connection and skill building, Anchored4Life offers students an opportunity to build life skill through an eLearning series.

Youth sponsors reach out to military-connected children, youth and teens before they arrive at a new duty station, answering their questions about their new communities. Adult members guide the program to ensure a positive experience for all youth.

States are required to test all third- through eighth-grade students in reading and math every year and at least once in high school. The exact dates and years vary, so get the testing schedule from your child’s new school as soon as possible. Put the dates on a calendar so you don’t plan a vacation or schedule a dentist appointment during those days.

Ask the principal, the guidance counselor or your student’s teacher about what your student is expected to know in the new school district. It’s possible your student’s prior school had a different curriculum. Most school districts have websites with detailed information about knowledge expectations. Your installation school liaison can assist if you can’t locate that information.

Standardized tests theoretically measure how well a student and the school are performing. In some states, these tests determine which students will graduate or go on to the next grade.

Find out how your student’s school will use test scores and how the scores might affect your child’s education. States also use the standardized test scores to issue School and District Report Cards, which show how well each school and district are doing.

These reports are the best and most accurate information for making the right school selection for your student. Visit your state’s department of education website or the district’s website to view your student’s future school report.

If your student qualifies for test-taking accommodations, you will need to document those accommodations in the student’s Individualized Education Program, or IEP, or the 504 Plan. Find out more about which accommodations your student may qualify for from the Exceptional Family Member Program or school liaison staff. Additionally, you can access a Military OneSource special needs consultation. Consultants can answer questions and concerns related to your family member with special needs. Call 800-342-9647, log in to start a secure live chat or view overseas calling options.

Don’t put too much weight on test scores or results, but be clear about what will be different at the new school. Assure children that good study habits all year as well as practice sessions with teachers can help them feel less stressed about standardized testing and changing schools.