Education

On Fort Meade, there is one early education center, three elementary, two middle and one high schools all ran by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Other immediate counties are Prince George's County and Howard County. Maryland’s public education system is ranked in the top ten from Education Week.

There are no DODEA schools on Fort Meade.

Students living on Fort Meade and in the immediate, surrounding communities will attend Anne Arundel County Public Schools. The Meade Feeder System includes one early education center (Grades Pre-K to K), nine elementary schools (Grades K to 5), two middle schools (Grades 6 to 8), and one high school (Grades 9-12).

There are two other counties in the immediate area in which you may reside. These are Prince George's and Howard Counties. Children should register in the county of residence. If you desire to register your child in an out-of-county school, you will be required to pay a tuition fee and you may incur transportation difficulties. Howard County does not allow out-of-county school registration; you must reside in their county in order to attend Howard County Public Schools.

Registration

Parents are urged to register their children for school as soon as a Service Member arrives at Fort Meade. The Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management has directed that military personnel, who are parents of school age children, shall give timely notification to local schools upon arrival and prior to departure of permanent change of station. Notification to schools will be a required part of the in and out processing procedure. Fort Meade Personnel Processing Branch will require all PCS personnel with accompanying school age children to provide 30 days withdrawal notice and out-process through their children's school. They are to in-process through the School Liaison Office or designated area schools at the gaining installation.

Enrollment Documentation

To enroll a new student, you must bring the child's birth certificate and a copy of the immunization record to school. Your child’s unofficial student record is also required for students enrolling from out-of-state. The receiving school will then contact the departing school and request a copy of the student’s official record. A student transferring from another school system in Maryland must have a Maryland transfer form. High school students entering the 12th grade should bring teacher recommendations for scholarship and college admission applications.

In addition, students in kindergarten, first, second, third, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth grades must have proof of a second dose of measles and one dose of mumps immunization to enter school. Students needing these immunizations can walk in to the Kimbrough Immunization Clinic from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from1:00 to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Immunizations and medical records should be brought to the clinic. Current physical exams (within one year) are required to participate in youth services and/or school sports programs.

Gifted and Talented Program

Gifted and talented education programs are available to students in Grades Kindergarten through 12 throughout Maryland. State funding for these services is contained within the foundation of The Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act of 2002, and its precise use is determined by each local school system. Multiple criteria are reviewed to identify students who need high-end services within an authentic curriculum of rigorous performance expectations. Students under 16 years of age, having completed the seventh grade, may be eligible for College START Gifted and Talented program for academic or fine arts subjects.

Special Education Programs

Anne Arundel County Public Schools offer Special Education Programs for children who are intellectually, emotionally and/or physically challenged. Placement in these programs is made through the School Team at the school and then referred to the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) at the Division of Special Education. Army/Air Force parents of children with special needs must contact the Exceptional Family Member Manager at Army Community Service 301-677-5590 prior to contacting school.  Navy parents should contact Navy Fleet & Family Support Services, 301-677-9014. The special educational program features include small class size, shorter school day, close adult supervision and guidance, and available school and community support services. The educational program focuses on the different ways students learn and provides frequent communication with parents, guardians, and the home school. Students receive individual and small group counseling, positive alternatives to suspensions, and continuous feedback and evaluation.

Students develop decision-making, communication, and self-management skills which enable them to be responsible for well-being of themselves and others.

There are more than 60 private schools in the county offering a wide variety of programs. The Maryland Department of Education publishes a list of state approved private non-church affiliated nursery, kindergarten, child care centers, elementary and secondary schools.

There are multiple home schooling groups on Fort Meade.  Families residing in Anne Arundel County, should contact the Anne Arundel County Home Instruction Teacher Specialist at 410-222-5457 for guidance on how to register their child for home schooling.