Education

No K-12th grade schools are located on Columbus Air Force Base. Students who reside on Columbus AFB have the option to attend the Columbus Municipal School District and the Caledonia School which is part of the Lowndes County School District. All students living on base have the option of being bused. Students who reside off base attend the school district aligned to their address. Privatized schools are available in the community, and homeschooling is also an alternative option. Call the School Liaison Office 662-434-2792, DSN 742-2792 or email slo2@us.af.mil or check out the Columbus AFB School Liaison Office website for more information.

There are no schools located on Columbus AFB. All school age children living on base may elect to attend Columbus Municipal School District or Lowndes County School District. Buses are provided to both school districts.

The two school districts located in the immediate area are:

• Lowndes County School District (662-244-5000)
• Columbus Municipal School District (662-241-7400)

** Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS)

MSMS is the state of Mississippi's only public, residential school specifically designed to meet the needs of the state's most academically gifted and talented students. The school, located on the grounds of the Mississippi University for Women located in Columbus, is for 11/12 grades only and the application process begins in 10th grade. Checkout the MSMS website.

Families relocating to the area should hand-carry all medical and educational documents so their child is promptly placed into the appropriate program. Families with Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) school-age children should contact the School Liaison Officer and the EFMP-Family Support Coordinator as soon as possible to facilitate alignment of student support services within the local schools. 

School Calendar

Lowndes County School District and Columbus Municipal School District operate on a modified calendar, schools start LAST WEEK OF JULY through the END OF MAY. There are two-week intersessions in October and March. Registration opens in the middle of June for the following fall term.

The Columbus Municipal School District (CMSD) is a public school system covering all of the city of Columbus and parts of Lowndes County, Mississippi. There are approximately 3,300 students enrolled in grades PreK-12.

The Lowndes County School District (LCSD) is a public school system covering the towns of Caledonia, New Hope and West Lowndes. There are approximately 5,200 students enrolled in grades PreK-12.

Curriculum and Accreditation

Both school districts are accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). 

Enrollment and Attendance

To enroll, you will need your child's certified birth certificate and social security card, two proofs of residency and a Mississippi Certificate of Immunization Compliance (available at the base immunization clinic). If your child is transferring in, bring previous school records/report card and the name and address of the school.

Compulsory education in Mississippi is from age 6-17 years of age. All students in this age range must attend school. Parents can select public, private, charter or home schooling. State law requires a student to be present for at least 63% of the instructional day in order to be counted present. Students are considered at risk academically if they miss 10% of the school year, approximately 18 days.

Kindergarten IS NOT a mandatory grade in Mississippi; however, military parents need to keep in mind kindergarten is mandatory in several states and must consider carefully any future impact to their child’s education if they are later stationed in a state where kindergarten is required. Additional information on kindergarten enrollment by state can be found online. If parents send their child to kindergarten, all attendance laws apply. Parents are not permitted to withdraw the child from Kindergarten once the school year has begun.

Pre-K & Kindergarten

Enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten, students must be four years of age on or before 1 September. Lowndes County has tuition-based spots and Title 1 funded spots for students. These spots are a first come, first serve basis. Registration opens in early November and closes in early March.

Columbus Municipal School District has a lottery system for preschool and there is not a cost. There are only 100 spots total for all CMSD elementary schools, and the spots are on a first come, first serve basis. Registration paperwork is released around February.

To be enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten, students must be four years of age on or before 1 September.

To be enrolled in kindergarten, students must be five years of age on or before 1 September. Students wishing to enter the first grade must be six years of age on or before 1 September.

School Uniforms

Students attending Columbus Municipal Schools in grades Pre-K through eight are required to wear a school uniform. The uniform requirement varies based on school. Please refer to the District Website for current policy. The Lowndes County School District does not require students to wear uniforms.

Bus Transportation

School bus transportation is provided free of charge to students living one mile or more from their school. Bus routes serve all schools every day.

Meals

Student food services include a breakfast and hot lunch program in all schools. Columbus Municipal and Lowndes County participate in the Federal lunch program offering assistance to qualified students. Application for free and reduced-price meals are completed as part of the enrollment process; the income requirements are the same as those in other states as this is a Federal program.

Activities

Activities for students are numerous and include athletics, visual and performing arts, volunteer and enrichment opportunities.

Special Needs Program

Both Districts provide essential services to support Special Needs children. Please contact the School Liaison Office (SLO) at 662-434-2792 or the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Exceptional Family Member Program Coordinator at 662-434-3323 for additional information.

Homeschool Students

The State of Mississippi requires annual registration of homeschool students. To obtain a registration card contact the School Liaison Officer at 662-434-2792 or visit the Mississippi Department of Education website. Mississippi has no testing or curriculum requirements for home schooling. Parents are advised to keep in mind possible curriculum and documentation requirements established by other states and post-secondary institutions.

The School Liaison Officer (SLO) has extensive knowledge on the local community, academic options and student support services within the local education agencies.  Families are encouraged to contact the SLO prior to arrival or departure to facilitate a smooth transition for your school age child. Parent conferences can be in-person, over the phone and by email.  Contact the SLO at 662-434-2792 or SLO2@us.af.mil .