- Helping schools understand the challenges military Families face
- Informing parents about local school policies
- Giving Families information about local schools, graduation requirements, after school programs, youth sponsorship and homeschooling
- Connecting units and schools through partnership initiatives
- Conducting workshops to help parents navigate educational transition and advocate for their children
- Providing an array of resources that benefit military youth and improve school experiences
- Youth Sponsorship Program
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Does your child have 101 questions about your next duty station? Let a youth sponsor answer them!
Youth sponsors connect with children before arrival at a new duty station: provide them with information about their new communities: and answer questions from a youth perspective while being guided by adults in the CYS youth program and the schools.
Once you arrive, a youth sponsor will meet your child and can arrange community and school tours.If you're preparing for a PCS move, contact your SLO today to sign up for a youth sponsor.
- Transition Support
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We understand that military transitions for children include much more than school plans and enrollment. We have a number of resources to help make your move as easy as possible for the kids, including:
Military Kids Connect provides online age-appropriate resources to help parents, teachers and children cope with the unique challenges of military life.
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) addresses key transition issues military Families experience, including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation. All 50 states have signed the compact and are in varying stages of implementation and/or compliance. The compact applies to children of Active Duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders and members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired within past year.
If you feel that you have an issue that the Compact can help address talk with your SLO. The SLO is able to assist by connecting with both the sending and receiving school to assist in resolving the issue. If it is not possible to resolve the issue locally, the SLO will help you work with the state commission, and if needed, the national office.
- Finding & Identifying a School
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Finding a new school and registering your child can be confusing.
We can help.Our SLOs give you information on local schools so you can find the best fit for you and your family. They can help you with everything you need to register and can answer other questions, too. Contact our office to get more detailed information.
Research-based Characteristics of Quality Schools
Most schools share fundamental characteristics that prepare students for the future. Research shows that the most effective schools are more alike than they are different. Here is some information about what to look for in quality schools:
- The United States Department of Education provides detailed information about choosing a school and offers a great number of resources to help you make an informed decision when choosing a school for your child.
Identifying Your Local School
We know you want to get your children settled in their new schools as quickly as possible. That’s why we work hard to help you identify their schools.
The School Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as a conduit for school information and is the primary point of contact for public and private school matters. Our SLOs in CYS School Support Services are here to assist you and your family with all facets of school life as you transition to the Carlisle area.
On-Post Housing
If you live on the main installation (inside the gates), your child will attend school within the Carlisle Area School District (CASD). Children are not placed according to the section of post you live in, but according to classroom capacity; bus capacity; and family make up.
CASD Schools:
- High School
- Carlisle High School
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Middle Schools
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Lamberton Middle School
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Wilson Middle School
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Elementary Schools
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LeTort Elementary School
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Hamilton Elementary School
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Bellaire Elementary School
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Middle School and Elementary School assignments are completed by the Carlisle Area School District (CASD) in early August. The SLO and Garrison Commander attends the school assignment meeting in order to partner with the CASD. During the meeting the team looks at bus capacities and classroom numbers as student assignments are being decided.
Please Note: Siblings at the same school level (elementary/middle) are not separated and attend the same school unless a special need requires one of the children to attend a different school in order to meet his/her educational needs.
The Meadows Housing Area
- Carlisle High School
- Lamberton Middle School
- LeTort Elementary School
Keystone Arms Neighborhood
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Carlisle Area School District and Cumberland Valley School District
Please check with the Keystone Arms rental office and/or the landlord/realtor to verify the zoned school district.Please note: It is possible to acquire a Carlisle address and be zoned for one of FOUR (4) different school districts (South Middleton, Carlisle, Cumberland Valley or Big Spring).
Our SLO office can assist in the verification of addresses and school districts.
- Local School Information
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Public Schools
Cumberland Valley School District
South Middleton School District
The Merakey Autism Center Carlisle serves Autistic students ages 5 to 21 years. Registration with the zoned school districts and evaluation requests for admittance are required. Merakey Autism Center Carlisle serves the CASD, as well as other area school districts.
Private Schools
- Home School Information
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Home schooling has become mainstream and widely-used. In order to home school your children in the state of Pennsylvania, you must register your children with the school district assigned to your home address and complete an affidavit. An appropriate curriculum of your choice must be presented to the school district for approval. At the end of the school year, a certified educator must review your child’s portfolio for completeness. We offer resources and information to help you provide quality home-based education.
Home School Legal Defense Association provides information on home school law, and general support and information about homeschooling.
Local Home School Information
Our Carlisle Barracks Homeschool Association offers plethora of information and guidance on how to home school in Pennsylvania. During the summer, the association meets twice to discuss how to fill out the affidavit, how to navigate the system, what the requirements are to home school and to answer your questions. This is a great opportunity for incoming families to gather the support and resources needed to home school in Pennsylvania.
Contact Email: cbkshomeschool@gmail.com
- Post-Secondary Support
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Our support doesn’t end with high school education. If you have children preparing for academic life after high school, we can help you find information about testing opportunities, scholarships and military-specific resources that can help you plan.
The US Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides information about Military-Specific and Government Academic Support G.I. Bill
The Transferability of Educational Benefits for the Post 9/11 GI Bill are very specific. The Defense Manpower Data Center, through MilConnect will guide you through the transfer process and your eligibility to do so. Speak with an Education Counselor prior to making this election in order to ensure you understand the benefit.
In-State Tuition Programs for Military: Service-members, active duty for a period of more than 30 days and their dependents are eligible to receive in-state tuition at many public colleges and universities in the state where they reside or are permanently stationed. An enrolled dependent may pay in-state tuition as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled at the institution, even if the service-member is reassigned outside of the state. Regulations outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008 (P.L 110 - 135) and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (pdf) apply.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is a Unique Military Child Identifier?
Numerous states have enacted a voluntary report-only self-identification of military children within their public school systems. This data collection would allow monitoring of critical elements such as academic progress and proficiency, special and advanced program participation, mobility and dropout rates. Requirements and method of collection vary from state to state.
Impact Aid
Many local school districts across the United States include within their boundaries parcels of land that are owned by the Federal Government. They must provide a quality education to the children living on the Indian and other Federal lands while sometimes operating with less local revenue than is available to other school districts, because the Federal property is exempt from local property taxes.
Congress has provided financial assistance to these local school districts through the Impact Aid Program. Each year Military members and Federal employees complete a Survey Form. The amount of Impact Aid – or federal assistance –received is determined by the number of eligible parents/guardians who complete the survey form. It partially compensates school districts affected by federal activity for local tax losses resulting from tax-free federal installations.
U.S. Department of Education: Office of Elementary and Secondary School-Impact Aid
At overseas/international locations where there is not a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, NDSP supports a variety of options for your children, ranging from public or private schools to homeschool programs. NDSP has a team of education specialists who are available to provide transition and educational support and coordination for all students, including those with special needs. Sponsors are encouraged contact the NDSP as soon as possible for specific school information.
Phone Number +1 (571)372-5863 or +1 (571)372-1897
School Support Services provides Army school-aged youth with educational opportunities, resources and information necessary to achieve academic success. A branch of Child & Youth Services (CYS), School Support Services features School Liaison Officers (SLOs), who help schools, installations and Families work together for student achievement.
What are School Liaison Officers (SLOs)?
SLOs are your best support in the area of education, schools and military transitions. SLOs are knowledgeable in current education news and policies. They act as the conduit between the school community – including local public school districts, private schools and home school Families – and the installation.
How do they do it? By:
