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Navy
School Liaison Program
NSA Mechanicsburg Installation
Command
5450 Carlisle Pike
Building 306C
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-713-6607
Contact information for key programs and services at this installation.
Deciding which school to send your child to is an important family decision. The Defense Department helps answer three basic questions about transitioning to a local school near your installation. These questions can get you started in the school search process and help you make the best decision for your family.
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.
The benefits of advance enrollment for military children include the opportunity to:
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.
Other local school districts include:
General Registration Requirements:
Immunizations Records:
For military families, see the Military Interstate Children’s Compact regarding immunizations.
Acceptable documentation includes:
Recommended Registration Documents:
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:
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.
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:
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:
Use the following resources to help navigate your children’s education needs and make school transitions smoother.
There are several ways you can gather information about local school options at your next duty station.
Choosing the right school for children is a priority for families. Some things to think about when choosing a school are: