Education

W. T. Sampson School is an elementary/high school facility, providing educational experiences for approximately 280 students in grades Kindergarten - 12 of civilian and military families who are eligible and stationed at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  There is also Sure Start, an early education program for 4 year olds.

The school is a 21st century school located on Sherman Avenue.  The new location opened for classes in April 2021.

W. T. Sampson School offers a full day kindergarten program. To attend the kindergarten program, students must be five years old by September 1st of the school year they will enroll. Children who are six years old on or before September 1st are eligible for first grade. When registering students, parents/guardians are required to provide copies of the following documents for enrollment: Orders, dependent entry approval, birth certificate, passport, current student health/immunization records, and withdrawal grades from the previous school attended.

There is also a Sure Start Preschool Program at W. T. Sampson Elementary School. Applications are accepted for children who become four years old by September 1st of the school year. Here at Guantanamo Bay, the enrollment is open, but on an entry approval scale based on the DoDEA matrix.

The Complex has a cafeteria where hot lunches are available. Students can elect to bring their lunch to school and can eat along with the students who purchase their lunches. Reduced and free lunch tickets are also available and are based on income level.  

Small student to teacher ratios allows for students to receive small group and individualized instruction. DoDEA offers all courses that students need to earn a DoDEA diploma. Several Advanced Placement courses offered include: AP English, AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Human Geography, AP US History, AP Government, and AP Environmental Science. Courses that are not offered locally can be offered through the DoDEA Virtual School, while on campus at the high school.

Extracurricular programs for virtually every interest are available on the school campus. Sports offered include basketball, golf, swimming, volleyball, and tennis. Students are also encouraged to participate in various class activities. Other activities include Student Government, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Broadcast Journalism, Spanish Club, Anchored4Life, and the production of school plays. The Career Practicum program also is available for extended educational opportunities beyond the classroom setting. The schools have an exceptional relationship with MWR in providing programs and activities such as the voluntary sports programs/activities.

W. T. Sampson School provides students with a quality education and a safe environment. Many of the teachers have advanced degrees and are seasoned educators with a variety of teaching experiences from all over the world. Students are provided an education that will enable them to succeed in preparing to be College and Career Ready. 

Entrance Requirements

Age requirement are:

• Sure Start, 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 the school office.

For more information contact 757-458-3500, DSN 312-660-3500.

W. T. Sampson School is a unit school facility, providing educational experiences for approximately 280 students in grades K - 12 of civilian and military families who are eligible and stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  W.T. Sampson is one of DoDEA's 21st century schools built in 2021.  The curriculum follows DoDEA's College and Career Readiness Standards, as well as providing services for specialized education, gifted programs and English as a Second Language (ESL).  For more information contact 757-458-3500, DSN 312-660-3500.

If you choose home instruction for your child in lieu of traditional school attendance you are required per NAVSTAGTMOINST 1754.1A to register with the School Liaison office, Contact: School Liaison to complete a homeschool registration form.  You can reach the SL by calling 757-458-4220 or by email at GTMOSL@us.navy.mil

DANTES provides no-cost education and career-planning programs for the U.S. Armed Forces military member. Our Defense programs can help a military member at every stage of their military career, from entry into the service to the final stage of civilian transition to their next career.  All DANTES services are available to military, their family, and DoD civilians.

There are no higher education institutions operating on island. Many institutions, like Columbia College, offer a variety of degree programs Online.