Education

Guam DDESS District has a student enrollment of 2,500. Students attend school in one of four (4) schools:  Andersen Elementary (K-5); Andersen Middle School (6-8) at Andersen AFB; McCool Elementary/Middle School (K-8) at Apra Heights; and Guam High School (9-12) at Nimitz Hill. Standardized test scores for the Guam District are available through the DoDEA Data Center.

Registration at DoDEA Guam Schools is open year round and can be started online.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility of dependents to attend DDESS schools on Guam is established by the Secretary of Defense for the following categories:

Space Required, Tuition Free

Dependent children of U.S. Military members, National Guard, and Coast Guard who are on active duty, stationed or homeported on Guam or assigned to a remote location or unaccompanied tour of duty and residing in permanent quarters on a military installation.

Dependent children of full-time civilian employees of Federal Government who are paid from appropriated funds or non appropriated funds assigned to Guam and residing in permanent quarters on military installation.

Space Available, Tuition Free

Dependent children of U.S. Military, National Guard, and Coast Guard members, who are on active duty, stationed or homeported on Guam or assigned to a remote location or unaccompanied tour and not residing in permanent quarters on a military installation.

Dependent children of full-time civilian employees of the Federal Government assigned to transferable positions in Guam and not residing in permanent quarters on a military installation. Dependent children may not be enrolled for more than 5 consecutive school years if the dependent is otherwise qualified for enrollment unless extended by the Secretary of Defense for good cause or are Dependent children of full time, permanent excepted service employees of DDESS.

Dependent children of full-time federal employees in the excepted service (as defined in Section 2103 of title 5) assigned to Guam and not residing in permanent quarters on a military installation.

Entrance Requirements

DoDEA has changed its Early Child Hood Education programs entrance requirements for all DoD Schools.  Age requirement are:

• Sure Start and Pre-Kindergarten Programs, a child must be 4 years of age by September 1.
• Kindergarten Programs, a child must be 5 years of age by September 1.
• First Grade, a child must be 6 years of age by September 1. 

If you have any questions about exceptions, contact DoDEA.

Meals

Lunch can  be purchased by the students. However, breakfast is not available in the DoD school system. Parents may apply for reduced/free meal program, which is income-based.    

School Sports 

School clubs in the elementary and middle schools offer after school activities. After school sports program is also available for both middle and high school students. 

Grading Scale 

There are 2 grading scales used in the DoD schools. The letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) are used for students in Grades 4 thru 12. Developmentally appropriate ratings (met,needs improvement, etc) are used for students in early childhood (K-3).  

Special Education Program

The Guam District Special Education program provides students with special needs an opportunity to succeed in the least restricted environment. Programs offered are based on the student's Individual Education Program (IEP). Screening is required for military members with special needs children for consideration in proper placement. 

Accreditation

Guam DDESS Schools are fully accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

Enrollment

Guam DDESS District has a student enrollment of 2500. Students attend school in one of four (4) schools:  Andersen Elementary (K-5); Andersen Middle School (6-8) at Andersen AFB; McCool Elementary/Middle School (K-8) at Apra Heights; and Guam High School (9-12) at Nimitz Hill.

Curriculum

The DDESS Guam District adheres to the DoDEA curriculum and the National Standards in Education. The programs of the school system are comprehensive with a balanced co-curriculum and extra curricular programs comparable to a majority of the school districts in the United States. The curriculum and the operation of the school system are supported by the DoDEA Community Strategic Plan and the District School Improvement Plan that is focused on high expectations and increasing student achievement. The district and schools have school improvement teams that represent all stakeholders in the development, implementation and monitoring of student success.

Standardized test scores for the Guam District are available through the DoDEA Data Center.

Student Transportation

All new students will need to accompany their sponsor to the Student Transportation Office and bring a copy of their student registration form 600 for initial in-processing of transportation. For further information contact the STO office at 671-344-9574/76.

School Board

The school board is an elected body of parents of students attending Guam DDESS Schools. Board members serve a two (2) year term of office. The Guam DDESS School Board operates in an advisory capacity to the Superintendent.

On Guam, home schoolers are subject to 17 GCA Chapter 6, Section 6109, which reads:

Children not attending a private full-time day school and who are being instructed in study and recitation for at least three hours a day for one hundred seventy days each calendar year by a private tutor or other person, in the several branches of study required to be taught in public schools of this Territory and in the English language, shall be exempted from attending public school.

This is commonly referred to as an equivalency statute, requiring the home schooled child to be taught the same subjects as are taught in the public schools. No notification of any government agency, including military agencies, is required of those parents home schooling their children.

https://www.militarymwrguam.com/school-liaison

The Andersen Air Force Base education office offers degree programs through the University of Maryland for undergraduate studies. Contact the Andersen Education Office 671-366-3170. 

University of Guam offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Contact UOG at 671-735-2214.

Guam Community College offers two-year degrees and certificate programs as well as GED, adult education and continuing education courses. Contact GCC at 671-735-5531