Showing 1 - 1 OF 1
Air Force
School Liaison
232 Texas Drive
Bldg 11902
Dyess AFB, TX 79607
325-696-4591
312-461-4591
325-696-4797
325-696-5538
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Each installation provides information about the types of schools and programs offered on or near your installation for your child. Learn about the types of programs, guidelines and requirements for each school. Whether you choose to send your child to a Department of Defense School, a private school or public school, your installation can help you explore all of your options to make the right decision for you and your child.
The Abilene Texas area provides opportunities for primary, secondary, college, adult, vocational, and special education for military members and their families.
The focal point for education programs at Dyess AFB is the Base Education Office for members, the local college registration offices for adult family members pursuing college degrees, and the Abilene, Wylie, Clyde, Merkel, Hawley, Trent, Eula, and Jim Ned Independent School Districts for children/family members age 0-18. Professional guidance counselors are available at the Dyess Education Office and at the colleges on an appointment basis. Testing facilities are available at McMurry University Campus to include testing for CLEP, Dantes, GRE, and GMAT.
Abilene Independent School District (AISD) has four high schools, four middle schools, and thirteen elementary schools. Wylie ISD has two elementary schools, two middle schools, two junior high school, and one high school. Jim Ned has one of each (elementary, middle, high school). Schools in outlying districts (Hawley ISD, Trent ISD, Merkel ISD, Clyde ISD, and Eula ISD) also have military-connected students. All of these school districts are accredited by the state of Texas. Bus service is available to some (but not all) schools. Meals are available for purchase at the schools and some students may qualify for the free/reduced-rate lunches based on income. Before and after school programs are available in the local area (i.e. Dyess Youth Center, Abilene Boys & Girls Club, Alliance for Women and Children and YMCA) for a fee. School sports programs and band are available and popular community events.
The Abilene Independent School District (AISD) educates roughly 17,600 students each year. For elementary school a 22:1 (state mandated) student /teacher ratio is experienced. Middle School and High School do not have a maximum class size. AISD Special Education currently has 19 teachers and 150 para-professionals to work with special education and/or the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Special Education include PALS, ADAPT, and Resource Programs with over 2,400 students enrolled in Special Education.
Wylie Independent School District (WISD) located in Southern Abilene and encompassing an area of 165 square miles. WISD has approximately 4,500 students and 300 full time employees on seven campuses. The student- teacher ratios for Elementary School is 22:1 (state mandated). Middle School and High School do not have a maximum class size. Wylie Special Education Program has 8 teachers and 16 para-professionals to work with approximately 200 Special Education students.
Jim Ned Consolidated Independent School District (JNCISD) has 1,800 students with 104 enrolled in Special Education.
The Hawley ISD, Trent ISD, Merkel ISD, Clyde ISD, and Eula ISD in the local area also serve the military community.
There are no primary or secondary schools on Dyess AFB. Dyess Elementary, which is part of the Abilene Independent School District, is just outside the gate of the housing area. Approximately 86% of Dyess Elementary students are on-base residents.
Abilene has two school districts, the larger of the two is the Abilene Independent School District with 13 elementary, four middle and four high schools, One large Head Start and two alternative campuses scattered across a majority of the city from the Mall of Abilene-area in the south to the city's northern- most areas.
Abilene Independent School District (AISD)
Abilene Independent School District educates roughly 17,600 students each year. The district employs 2,600 employees locally. Student-teacher ratios for elementary school is 22:1 (state mandated). Middle School and High School do not have a maximum class size. AISD Special Education currently has 19 teachers and 150 para-professionals to work with special education and/or the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Special Education includes PALS, ADAPT, and Resource Programs with over 2,400 students enrolled in special Education. The curriculum is designed to challenge the college-bound and the vocational mind. The AISD has developed a nationally known Special Education department and award-winning Chapter 1, Head Start and writing programs. Students in the district continue to rank above the state and national norms in standardized achievement tests.
Schedule -- Holidays usually include: Labor Day, Columbus Day,Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, and Spring Break. There are inclement weather days built into the schedule, and provided they are not taken during the winter months because of snow or ice, they are usually taken during the Easter weekend.
The first period in the high schools begins at 7:50 am and 7th period ends at 3:25 pm. The middle school day begins at 7:50 am and end at 3:15 pm. Kindergarten through fifth grade students attend school from 7:50 am to 3:15 pm, while Pre-K classes start at 8:00 am and end at 2:00 pm.
Bus Service -- Children living in on-base housing attend Dyess Elementary, Clack Middle and Cooper High School. The school district provides bus service to Clack and Cooper.
The following guidelines apply to the evaluation of the transcripts of students transferring to the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) - No credit will be offered for office aide and Driver's Education. Units of credit granted by high schools accredited by Texas Education Agency, Texas Private School Accreditation Association, other state education agencies, or Department of Defense Schools. Units of credit earned from non accredited schools and home study programs will require validation according to guidelines established by the school. The procedure for validation is as follows - Credit for elective courses may be accepted subject to review. Required courses taken in sequence can validate credit in previous courses, i.e., English III completed successfully will validate English I and English II, Algebra II completed successfully will validate Algebra I.
Wylie Independent School District (WISD)
Wylie Independent School District, located in Southern Abilene and encompassing an area of 165 square miles. WISD has approximately 4,600 students and 300 full time employees on seven campuses. The student- teacher ratios for Elementary School is 22:1 (stat mandated) with no mandated ratio on middle and high school campuses. Wylie Special Education Program has 16 teachers and 24 para-professionals to work with approximately 200 Special Education students. Programs are offered in regular education, special education, career and technology education, technology preparation, and Chapter 1 Reading and Math. Wylie students continue to consistently perform above the regional and state averages on achievement tests, TAAS tests, and ACT and SAT college entrance exams.
Wylie Independent School District is a smaller district that will work with each student to achieve graduation requirements. Twenty-six units are required for graduation. They also have an honors program. WISD has two elementary schools, one middle school (grades 5 & 6), one junior high school (grades 7 & 8), and one high school.
Registration Requirements
The following checklist of items to either bring or have sent from your current school district should help ease the transition of your student into a new school district:
Jim Ned Consolidated Independent School District (JNCISD) has 1,030 students with 104 enrolled in Special Education.
Hawley ISD, Trent ISD, Merkel ISD, Clyde ISD, and Eula ISD in the local area also serve the military community.
A large number of private schools, including TLCA, Abilene Christian Schools and St. John's Episcopal School, are located in Abilene in affiliation with numerous church denominations. Additional information on these may be obtained by contacting the various churches in the city or by contacting the School Liaison Officer (325) 696-3831. There are no private schools in Abilene affiliated with the Catholic Church.
Grading System
The grading system is based on the state of Texas requirements and has a pass/fail system for elementary and secondary schools.
Abilene has four major universities offering Associate, Bachelor, and Master Degree Programs, with a Doctorate Program available in Bible/Seminary Studies. We also have a State Technical College, a School of Nursing, a Business College, a School of Cosmetology, Adult Education classes, and a Truck Driving/Commercial Drivers License Program. In addition, assistance may be available through the State Employment Agency's Workforce Investment Act which assists qualified applicants in obtaining an Associate Degree from a local college or technical school or on-the-job training with local employers, and MyCAA. (See the Adult Education topic for more information on Adult Education).
Abilene schools integrate Special Education/Resource Program into the curriculum of the elementary and secondary schools. A special high school completion program is available to high school students who meet specific criteria such as learning disabilities, pregnancies, teenage parents, working teens, juvenile delinquency, etc.
Exceptional Children Programs
The School Liaison Officer (SLO) works with all the area schools to ensure a quality education for all, especially those families under the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). The School Liaison Officer works in conjunction with the school counselors, teachers, principals, base personnel, and local/state politicians/dignitaries to ensure compliance with federal and state laws governing education. The SLO also works closely with the Exceptional Family Member Program-Family Support (EFMP-FS), the Exceptional Family Member Program-Medical (EFMP-M), and the Exceptional Family Member Program-Assignments (EFMP-A) to provide comprehensive assistance including Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and information and referral regarding educational, medical, financial, and social services resources to families.
Release 2023.08.17.1