Education

To register to attend a DoDEA School the following age requirements must be met:

A child must be:

• four years old by September 1 to attend Prekindergarten (PK) or Sure Start.
• five years old by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten.
• six years old by September 1 to attend first grade.

Overseas Department of Defense Schools, DoDEA Europe and DoDEA Pacific and Cuba

Eligibility to attend DoDEA Europe or DoDEA Pacific schools is outlined in Section 921-932 title 20 U.S.C. and DoDEA Administrative Instruction 1344.01, Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements for DoDEA Schools.

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (Pacific and Europe) and Cuba was established to provide high quality education for authorized dependents of DoD personnel assigned overseas, and to provide enrollment on a space-available, tuition-paying basis for others identified and prioritized by the Secretary of Defense.

Enrollment Categories

Qualified dependents are authorized to enroll in one of four enrollment categories based on the request of the sponsor. Dependents in enrollment category 1 receive first priority, all others are enrolled on a space-available basis in priority of category of enrollment.

Documentation of Proof of Eligibility - Overseas

Once Eligibility has been established you will need to submit the necessary documentation for proof of Eligibility.

New students registering for enrollment in DoDEA Europe, DoDEA Pacifc, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba schools overseas are required to provide verification of the following:

• Date of Birth
• Dependent Status
• Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor or Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor
• Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor and Central Billing Letter
• Status of non-DoD sponsor (other Federal Agencies)

Documents that may be used for verification of information

Date of Birth

• Certified copy of birth certificate
• Child's passport

Dependent Status

• Sponsor is listed as biological parent on child's birth certificate
• Dependent is listed on active duty military sponsor's/DoD civilian's orders
• Locally-hired DoD civilians - Certificate of Employment from HR listing names of dependents
• Sponsor is named on child's military identification card (ID)
• Appropriate military service form documenting that the Service recognizes the child as a dependent of this member
• Approved (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) DEERS registration form
• Dependent is listed on defense contractor's Letter of Identification (LOI) or Letter of Agreement (LOA) and in Central Billing Letter (CBL)

Active Duty Status of Military Sponsor

• Current orders Permanent Change of Station Orders (PCS) (normally 3 years duration at most locations)
• Sponsor's active duty identification card (copy of picture side will be retained in the file)
• Letter from sponsor's command certifying active duty status
• Current deployment orders

Employment Status of Civilian Sponsor

• Sponsor's employing agency must certify that the sponsor occupies a position that is subject by policy and practice to transfer AND must certify that the agency will reimburse the DoD for the educational services provided to the dependent
• Initial Registration - PCS orders

Employment Status of Defense Contractor Sponsor

• Letter of Identification (LOI) or Letter of Agreement (LOA) NOTE: Official travel of defense contractor authorizing dependent education subject to availability on a tuition-paying basis. The LOI/LOA must identify the organization contract number, length of the contract, and names of dependents.

Transferring to a DoDEA School

Sponsors of students transferring to a DoDEA school are required to provide verification of active-duty status, and proof of on-post residency for DoDEA schools in the United States or housing agreement for DoDEA schools overseas, before a child may be registered. Preschool, Prekindergarten (PK), and Kindergarten require a certified birth certificate or unexpired passport before registration can be accepted. Read more about Eligibility, Age Requirements, and Registration

https://www.dodea.edu/registration/europe-region

The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring that all children of military families are provided a world class education that prepares them to be successful in their careers, leading contributors in their communities and productive citizens in the 21st century.

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is the umbrella organization that unites efforts to provide quality educational opportunities and services to military dependents around the globe.

DoDEA operates 161 schools in 9 Districts located in 11 foreign countries, 7 states, and 2 territories across 10 time zones.

There are nearly 900,000 military connected children of all ages worldwide, of which more than 64,000 are enrolled in DoDEA schools and served by more than 14,000 employees. 

All schools within DoDEA are fully accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies.

https://www.dodea.edu

DoDEA Europe Central District operates 16 schools in Germany across 4 communities. There are nearly 900,000 military connected children of all ages worldwide, of which more than 8,000 are enrolled in DoDEA Europe Central District schools and served by thousands of teachers and educational aides. All schools within DoDEA are fully accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies.

https://www.dodea.edu/europe/eu-central

The Kaiserslautern Military Community School Liaison Offices are dedicated to assist community partners in providing military families the best possible education for all students. School Liaisons serve as community facilitators; connecting schools, families and community services to address issues impacting the education of military children. 

Contact information for the Kaiserslautern Military Community Air Force School Liaison Office (SLO):

Email: 86msg.slo@us.af.mil

DSN: 314-480-9374
CIV: +49-6371-47-9374
From USA: 011-49-6371-47-9374

Building 2203, Room 111
Ramstein Air Base

https://www.ramstein.af.mil/86MSGSLO/

Homeschooling in the KMC is actually quite simple; there are no registration or reporting requirements. You are free to use whatever curriculum, testing schedule, etc. that you feel will benefit your child the most. It is highly recommended though that you use an accredited curriculum. Using an accredited program provides for a well-rounded curriculum and will aid in a smoother transition back to a traditional setting (or to college) should your child go that route down the road. We also recommend checking the home schooling requirements of the state you are leaving, your home of record state, or the state you will be going to, to give you a basic framework to build off of. Their requirements can typically be found on the state’s Department of Education website. It is also advisable to contact the school district office of the school your children are leaving.

The DoDEA schools here allow homeschooling families access to some of their services. The DoDEA-AI-1375-01 is the DoDEA directive describing the auxiliary services provided to homeschooled students. There are no requirements stating that you must use DoDEA auxiliary services. If you choose to use those services once you arrive here though, you will need to speak directly to the school that your home is zoned for. The staff will be able to give you specific information on the services their specific school is able to provide. For more information, please see http://www.dodea.edu/parents/homeschooling.cfm. The Alternative Educational Options pamphlet also provides information on Homeschool Support Groups.               

Please note that for German citizens, homeschooling is illegal and is not common or recognized. We say this only for you to have cultural awareness while out and about in the community.

https://www.ramstein.af.mil/86MSGSLO/

Contact information for the Kaiserslautern Military Community Air Force School Liaison Office (SLO):

Email: 86msg.slo@us.af.mil

DSN: 314-480-9374
CIV: +49-6371-47-9374
From USA: 011-49-6371-47-9374

Building 2203, Room 111
Ramstein Air Base

https://www.ramstein.af.mil/86MSGSLO/

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service School Meal Program (AAFES)

The Exchange School Meal Program provides wholesome, nutritious meals to eligible students. They follow the same USDA guidelines as schools throughout the United States and provide Free and Reduced-Price Meals for students who qualify under Federal Guidelines.

The Exchange provides school lunch to K-12 students on Army and Air Force Installations in 8 countries overseas. 

https://www.aafes.com/about-exchange/school-lunch-program/