Local Schools

There are no Department of Defense Education Activity schools or base housing on Naval Support Activity Philadelphia. There are a variety of public and private school options in the area. Families stationed aboard NSA Philadelphia seek schooling options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools. Affordable housing options, school quality and services and commute including tolls are typically factors in their decision. For parents who will be homeschooling, reach out to the School Liaison for additional support.

Of note, many NSA Philadelphia 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 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.

Pennsylvania:

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

New Jersey:

• Bill A5694 Aca (1R)

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

NSA Philadelphia does not have base housing. It's the policy of the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey that where you reside (your physical address) determines the school your children will attend. Of note, New Jersey does have school choice districts as notated below.

Area school districts include:

• School District of Philadelphia or call 215-400-4000
  • Family Resources section: Military Families, Parent Portal, and School Selection
  • Services: Physicals and Immunizations and Student Enrollment and Placement
• Bucks County or call 215-348-2940
• Montgomery County or call 610-755-9400
• Delaware County or call 610-938-9000
• Chester County or call 484-999-0232
• Burlington Township (NJ) or call 609-387-3955
• Camden County (NJ) or call 609-376-3500
• Gloucester County (NJ) or call 856-686-8370
• Mercer County (NJ) or call 609-588-5877
• NJ Choice Program Districts: The application deadline for School Choice is typically the November prior to the start of the next school year. New Jersey's Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll K–12th grade students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their parents.
• Pennsylvania Pupil Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
• Pennsylvania Charter and Cyber Charter Schools
• New Jersey Department of Education Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
• New Jersey 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 (2) 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 Philadelphia. 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 provide textbooks, instructional materials and equipment, loaned free of charge, to students who attend nonpublic schools in grades kindergarten through twelve.

• Pennsylvania Pupil Transportation Frequently Asked Questions
• New Jersey Department of Education 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
• School District of Philadelphia Home Education Homeschooling Information and Homeschool Starter Packet

Homeschooling in New Jersey falls under the legislature under the compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25).

There are two circumstances in which a parent/guardian of a child will be required to inform the local board of education of the intent to educate his/her child elsewhere than at school:

• If a parent/guardian attempts to register a student in a local school district and the district refuses to enroll the student, the parent may provide the district with an intent to appeal such denial. If the parent does not provide the district with an intent to appeal, the parent/guardian is required to provide a statement of verification regarding whether the student will be attending school in another school district or a nonpublic school, or will be receiving instruction elsewhere than at school (N.J.A.C. 6A:22-4.2(d)); AND
• If a parent/guardian decides to remove an enrolled student from his/her high school educational program, the parent/guardian will be required to complete a transfer form which includes information related to the intent to provide instruction elsewhere than at school for the purposes of collecting accurate data on high school enrollment.

For any other circumstances, the New Jersey Department of Education encourages parents to notify the local board of education of the intent to educate the child elsewhere than at school so that questions do not arise with respect to the parent’s compliance with the compulsory education law.

Additionally, NJ law does not require or authorize the local board of education to review and approve the curriculum or program of a child educated elsewhere than at school. For more information:

• New Jersey Homeschooling FAQ’s
• New Jersey Home Schoolers Association
• New Jersey Home School Groups

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.