Local Schools

There are no Department of Defense Education Activity schools on Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. There are a variety of public and private school options in the area. For parents who will be homeschooling, reach out to the School Liaison for additional support.

Of note, many Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg families are geographically dispersed rather than attending a handful of local schools. Due to this factor, not all schools or districts are aware of military-connected student legislation and supports. Upon word of orders, it's important to reach out to the NSA Philadelphia School Liaison to ensure a smooth transition prior to your arrival.

Military families should be aware of Pennsylvania legislation supporting military child advance enrollment which enables military parents or guardians the ability to pre-enroll their children in a school district prior to their arrival. Upon word of orders, reach out to the School Liaison.

• Section 1302.1, added 6 November 2023, of P.L. 160, No. 24
• PA Dept of Education: Enrollment of Students

The benefits of advance enrollment for military children include the opportunity to:

• Participate in random lotteries for charter or magnet schools
• Enroll in specialized academic programs
• Begin coordinating IEP and 504 plan requirements
• Register for courses and plan their course of study
• Know which school they will attend before arriving at the new location

Public Schools

It's the policy of the state of Pennsylvania that where you reside (your physical address) determines the school your children will attend. Military families living in base housing will attend school in the Cumberland Valley School District.

• Grades K through 5: Sporting Hill Elementary School
  • Sporting Hill is supported by a Child and Youth Behavioral Military and Family Life Counselor at 223-212-9647
• Grades 6 through 8: Mountain View Middle School
• Grade 9: Ninth Grade Academy
• Grades 10 through 12: Cumberland Valley High School
• Cumberland Valley also offers Cumberland Valley Virtual Academy
  • To find out more about enrolling in Cumberland Valley Virtual Academy, contact the principal at 717-506-3665

Other local school districts include:

• Mechanicsburg Area School District or call 717-691-4500
• Carlisle Area School District or call 717-240-6800
• Camp Hill School District or call 717-901-2400
• West Shore School District or call 717-938-9577
• Harrisburg School District or call 717-703-4000
• Pennsylvania Pupil Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
• Pennsylvania Charter and Cyber Charter Schools

General Registration Requirements:

• Proof of your child's age: State issued birth certificate.
• Parent Photo Identification: ID card such as driver's license, state ID or passport.
  • These can not be utilized for proof of residency.
• Proof of residency (two required):
  • For military families, see the PA Military Child Advance Enrollment Act.
  • Acceptable documentation includes:
    • Lease
    • Sales agreement
    • Mortgage statement plus one additional document (utilities bill, cable bill, etc.)
      • If residing with a district property owner, the property owner must sign a notarized Affidavit of Multiple Occupancy form in addition to providing additional documentation.

Immunizations Records:

For military families, see the Military Interstate Children’s Compact regarding immunizations.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• The child's immunization record, a written statement from a former school district or medical office
• Consent for Release of Information form (typically found in online registration forms)
• Discipline Sworn Statement (typically found in online registration forms)

Recommended Registration Documents:

• Report cards/transcripts
  • In order for middle and high school students to get a schedule, their most recent report card, schedule, or transcript is required. It is helpful for the sending school to also provide percentage grades if a letter grading scale was utilized.
• Most recent physical and dental forms
• Special education documents (IEP, ER, RR, NOREP) if applicable
• Custody order if applicable
• Any other records relevant to your child's education.

Pennsylvania Intermediate Units

Pennsylvania's 29 intermediate units were established in 1971 by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to operate as regional educational service agencies to provide programs to Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts, 170 charter schools and 3,000 nonpublic school districts. IUs offer early childhood education programs, online education, career and technical education, and special education services in addition to professional development for school administrators and teachers.

Private Schools

There are a number of private schools within a 20 to 40 minute commute of Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. Some of these schools are accredited by the State of Pennsylvania. See the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Nonpublic/Private Schools section, which provides information about private academic and nonpublic schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to include:

• Listing of schools accredited through the Middle States Association Commission of Elementary and Secondary Schools
• Frequently asked questions
• Requesting transcripts

Special Education Services to Nonpublic School Students

Through Act 89, students attending nonprofit nonpublic schools can access a program of auxiliary services that are similar to those provided to public school students in the school district in which the nonpublic school is located. In addition, Act 195, Act 90 and Act 35 provides textbooks, instructional materials and equipment loaned free of charge to students who attend nonpublic schools in grades kindergarten through 12.

• Pennsylvania Pupil Transportation Frequently Asked Questions

Home Schooling

Home schooling in Pennsylvania, by comparison to requirements in other states, requires extensive documentation. Read through your intended local school board policy to determine if a notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration, in addition to other information, must be provided to the assigned district. See the Pennsylvania Department of Education Home Education and Private Tutoring page for:

• Support groups and resources
• List of approved alternative standardized tests
• The Home Education and Private Tutoring Guide
• Sample affidavits and unsworn declarations

Reach out to the School Liaison for additional support and connections.

It’s never too early to start your transition planning. Here are some things you can do even before you have official orders:

• Request copies of your children’s records from the school they have been attending. Make sure you hand carry these to your new location.
• Request copies of your children’s immunization records and hand carry these to your new location.
• Research deadlines in your new location, such as dates for school registration, sports try-outs, and other extracurricular activities sign-ups.
• Research withdrawal requirements and potential accelerated withdrawal opportunities at your current school.

Use the following resources to help navigate your children’s education needs and make school transitions smoother.

• Your installation school liaison is your main point of contact for pre-K - 12 education. School liaisons provide an array of transition support for children. They can help with information about school districts and boundaries, and campus specific programs and activities to ensure you find the best fit for your child’s educational and extracurricular needs. School liaisons can also help with transferring school records and credits, registering for classes, locating after school activities and much more.
  
  School liaisons are experts in transition support and well versed in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. If your child will be attending a public or Department of Defense Education Activity school, learn more about successful educational transitions in this Guide for Parents.
   
• Education consultants at Military OneSource can help connect you to a wide variety of education resources, including information about local schools and help finding a tutor in the area for your child.
• If your family has a child with special needs, your local school liaison can connect you with your installation Exceptional Family Member Program, as well as help you navigate your local school special education program. Learn more about EFMP family support and special needs resources.

There are several ways you can gather information about local school options at your next duty station.

• Your installation school liaison office can provide information about local schools and programs, as well as assist with a variety of transition issues such as transferring credits, registering for classes, locating extracurricular activities and more. They also provide deployment support, college, career and military readiness, scholarship information and more.
• Education consultants at Military OneSource can provide information about local schools and help you find a tutor in the area for your child.
• For information about Department of Defense Education Activity schools, visit the DoDEA website.
• The U.S. Department of Education website offers information about student loans and grants, helpful data and statistics and tools such as this Search for Public Schools from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Choosing the right school for children is a priority for families. Some things to think about when choosing a school are:

• What is the student to teacher ratio? How are behavior problems handled? How is different learning styles supported? How are teachers supported? What are expectations for students?
• Does the school offer specific subjects or activities your child is interested in, such as arts, music, foreign language, STEM, JROTC, sports, etc.?
• Does the distance from installation to school fit your family’s needs? Especially if you have young children, is school close enough for a quick pick up if they get sick?
• Is there a before and after care program at the school or child care in the area that serves the school?
• Finally, and most importantly, take a tour of the school.