Education

Contact the School Liaison Officer at 228-376-8728 for school zone and assignment information for public school students. School bus transportation is provided by Biloxi Schools for all children residing in Keesler housing attending a Biloxi public school beyond one mile from the housing area.

Registration Requirements

Schools along the Mississippi Gulf Coast generally begin the second week in August and dismiss for summer at the end of May. The following documents will be needed: Certified copy of birth certificate (must have state seal); student transcript and report card (provide as much info as possible on grades); Social Security Number; two proofs of residency (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.); and immunization Record on a Mississippi Compliance Form. This form may be obtained through Keesler Medical Center. This form must be completed before any child can begin school.

https://www.harrison.k12.ms.us/

https://www.jcsd.ms/

https://www.hancockschools.net/

Contact the school's administration office to confirm what documents are needed for registration. Come by the Military & Family Readiness Center and ask for a School Guide for a listing of local schools, or visit the Keesler web site and look at the School Liaison link.

Students transferring from a non-accredited school, or from home-school into Public School, must take the appropriate placement tests as determined by school officials.

Age requirements for Mississippi Public schools by State Law are:

• Kindergarten -Child must be 5 years old prior to 1 September
• First Grade - Child must be 6 years old prior to 1 September

Transferring Within and Outside of Districts

Call the appropriate school district for their policy on school transfers within the district. State Law requires that if you move out of a school district and you elect to keep your children in the previous district, then you must pay tuition.

School Information for On Base Residents

Contact the Biloxi school superintendent's office, 228-374-1810, for school zone and assignment information for public school students. School bus transportation is provided by Biloxi Schools for all children residing in Keesler housing attending a public school beyond one mile from the housing area.

Checklist for Transferring Parents and Students

This will help your child get properly scheduled for classes and activities. Some parents aren't familiar with the difference in grading systems, acronyms on transcripts, state testing requirements, etc. This checklist will help the schools on both ends better serve the child.

From Military Education Coalition Transition Counselor Institute

Sending School Checklist:

1. School Name
2. School POC (counselor, registrar, etc.
3. POC's e-mail address
4. School Complete Mailing address
5. School area code and telephone number
6. School FAX number
7. Course Description Book
8. Copy of cover of each textbook (shows title, edition, authors, etc)
9. School Profile/Handbook and web site address (URL)
10. Attendance and Tardy Records
11. Report Card with grading scale
12. Current Schedule
13. Withdrawal Grades
14. Transcript/Course History (with grading system)
15. Class Rank
16. Cumulative Folder
17. Testing information, such as Standardized Test Scores, End of Course Tests Scores, Competency Test Scores
18. Health Records including shot records
19. Birth Certificate
20. Social Security Number
21. Activities Records such as co/extracurricular
22. IEP/504/Gifted/ESL Records
23. JROTC Records
24. Guardianship/Custody Papers
25. Fees Owed
26. Alternative School Records
27. Letters of Recommendations (especially for senior students)
28. If available, writing samples
29. If available, At-Risk or Action Plans for classroom modifications
30. If available, Portfolios
31. If available, Accelerated Reader Points
32. If available, Service Learning Hours
33. If available, other work samples or performance assessments
34. Academic Recognitions and competitions

Receiving School Checklist:

1. Proof of Residency/Military Orders
2. Course Description Book
3. Copy of cover of each textbook (shows title, edition, authors, etc)
4. School Profile/Handbook and web site address (URL)
5. Attendance and Tardy Records
6. Report Card with grading scale
7. Current Schedule
8. Withdrawal Grades
9. Transcript/Course History (with grading system)
10. Class Rank
11. Cumulative Folder
12. Testing information, i.e. Standardized Test Scores, End of Course Tests Scores, Competency Test Scores
13. Health Records including shot records
14. Birth Certificate
15. Social Security Number
16. Activities Records such as co/extracurricular
17. IEP/504/Gifted/ESL Records
18. JROTC Records
19. Guardianship/Custody Papers
20. Fees Owed
21. Alternative School Records
22. Academic Recognitions and competitions
23. Letters of Recommendations (especially for senior students)
24. If available, writing samples
25. If available, At-Risk or Action Plans for classroom modifications
26. If available, Portfolios
27. If available, Accelerated Reader Points
28. If available, Service Learning Hours
29. If available, other work samples or performance assessments

Children's shot records must be transferred to a MISSISSIPPI FORM 5 before the child can begin school. This can be done at the base hospital's immunization clinic. Bring the child's current shot record and medical records with you to accomplish the Form 5.

School attendance is based on where you live, unless parents are sending children to a private school.

During the school year, Before/After school program for youth ages 6-12 years is offered at the Youth Center. The program provides breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. We also have Mardi Gras, Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Camps.

Classes from pre-kindergarten to Master's Degree are available at Keesler and in the surrounding communities. Military personnel and family members can take advantage of Education Services available at Education Services Flight. A counselor determines enrollment eligibility for specific programs. Services include counseling, testing, and enrollment in a variety of education programs ranging from basic skills remediation and NCO Leadership Development classes through college degree programs. Financial assistance and information about education benefits and other forms of financial aid for military and family members is available.

There are many fine public and private kindergartens, elementary, middle, high and vocational schools on the Gulf Coast. For post-secondary education, there are community colleges and major university campuses.

Non-resident service members and family members will be able to pay in-state tuition rates in Mississippi. For further information concerning higher education in Mississippi please refer to The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or contact the Keesler Education Office at 228-376-8708 DSN: 591-8708.

https://www.discoverkeesler.com/education-services

Keesler partners with local public, private, and home schools to assist school age children in obtaining educational opportunities. Call 228-376-8505 or DSN 312-591-8505.