Education

DoD Schools

The Department of Defense Education Activity operates two schools on West Point, West Point Elementary and West Point Middle School. These schools provide challenging and stimulating curriculum and extra-curricular activities. The availability of these activities contributes to an outstanding education for West Point students.

The West Point School District consists of two schools; the West Point Elementary School accommodates children from Pre-Kindergarten (Half-Day) through fourth grade while West Point Middle School is home to fifth grade through eighth grade. Approximately 500 students are enrolled at West Point Elementary and 250 students at West Point Middle School. To be eligible to attend, families must reside in family housing on the military installation and be Active Duty, DoD or Non-DoD Federal Agency Employee. Students that do not reside within the designated walking distance will be transported by bus.

High school students who reside at West Point attend James I. O’Neill High School, a comprehensive public senior high school certified by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York. O’Neill High School is part of the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District.

Family children who do not live on post will attend school in the district respective to the location in which they reside.

Homeschooling is very common in the West Point community and has an active group of supporters. Sponsors are responsible for complying with applicable local state requirements. Dependents are permitted to use/receive auxiliary services from West Point Schools.

Curricula

DoDEA has developed rigorous and demanding curriculum standards. The curriculum standards specify what students should know and be able to do. DoDEA curriculum standards are based on the content standards produced by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council of Teachers of English/the International Reading Association, the National Research Council’s National Science Education Standards and the National Council for Teachers of Social Studies.

Standards are important because they set high levels of learning and performance for all students. The standards also serve as a basis for assessment across the curriculum. They focus on what is important in each curriculum area.

Transportation

Students who live too far from school to walk to and from school are transported by bus. Only these students may ride the bus.

Bus students in grades K-6 may not walk home from school without a written request from the parent to the Principal. Bus schedules are carefully developed dependent upon residence. Students ride only their assigned bus. Parents must make their own transportation arrangements for after school activities. (i.e. scouts, visiting a friend.) The only exception is for childcare purposes; this exception is granted by the Principal after advanced written notice is received and only if space is available on the designated bus.

Meals

West Point Schools are participants in the National School Lunch Program and is subsidized by both the State and Federal Governments. The objective of this program is to provide the students with a well-balanced, nutritious lunch with selections from the major food groups including fluid milk. Children may also bring lunch from home and purchase ala-carte items (milk, fresh fruit, and snacks) to supplement nutritional requirements.

Athletics

In partnership with West Point MWR’s Child and Youth Services sports office, WPMS offers three seasons of athletic activities. The intramural program is free of charge; the modified sports program follows the Army Fee Policy. The program is administered and equipped by MWR, and the school provides DoDEA employees to coach.

Registration Requirements

Eligibility:In order to register your child/children in West Point Schools, you are required to reside in post housing assigned on the United States Military Academy at West Point. If waiting for quarters, a letter from the Housing Office, Balfour Beatty (or its affiliate) indicating you will have quarters within 180 days is required. If the student is a ”guest‟, a letter from Housing, Balfour Beatty (or its affiliate) approving the request for the student to reside in quarters AND a copy of an official legal document from a court of competent jurisdiction indicating the person has been appointed a guardian for the child that is to be enrolled are required. To make sure this policy is enforced uniformly throughout DDESS, in every instance where a person seeks to enroll a child through the use of a guardianship, the DDESS district must contact the DDESS General Counsel’s Office for determination on the sufficiency of the guardianship. For all other students, if applicable, court documents indicating custody, i.e. divorced /separated parents are required.

Age Requirements:

• Children entering Pre School must be 4 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Students entering First Grade must be 6 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Exceptions to this cut-off will only be granted if the child has been registered in a program accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization for at least 9 weeks and the change in schools is due to the sponsor’s PCS.
• A certified birth certificate issued by the responsible governmental office (state, county, US Department of State (for overseas births) is REQUIRED for enrollment In PreK, Kindergarten and First Grade.

Registration for all Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) requires at a minimum:

• Child's immunization records: The required minimum immunizations for the first semester of SY 11/12 includes a second dose of the Varicella vaccine. Immunization is NOT required in people with a history of natural disease (chicken pox). Susceptible children age 13 and older should receive two doses at least 4-8 weeks apart.
• Child’s Birth Certificate:A legible copy of original State birth certificate. For children born overseas, an original Form FS-240, “Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America” or an original Form DS-1350, “Certification of Birth Abroad” will be accepted.
• Records from previous school to include last report card/progress report (we can order these copies from previous schools).
• The sponsor’s CURRENT military orders. A copy of the Sponsor’s military ID (front only) can be used.
• Documentation of the sponsor's housing assignment in permanent quarters withCURRENT housing lease or a 90-180 Day Housing Waiver/Eligibility Impact Letter to WPES School registrar for your child to be eligible to attend SY 11/12.

Online Pre-Registration for New Students

Parents of students attending Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools can now pre-register their children for school with the click of a button. DoDEA has launched an Online Student Pre-Registration, with the aim of reducing the time parents will have to wait at the school registration site. In addition to helping parents and students, the new program will also allow school officials to better predict school enrollment for the upcoming year, make more informed decisions regarding teacher and staff requirements, and prepare in advance for special services, supplies, and other classroom needs. Parents can pre-register their children by visiting the website listed below. The web-based application allows parents to enter basic student information and contains a feature that allows parents to attach copies of their permanent change of station (PCS) orders and verify birth dates for students entering kindergarten or first grade and immunization records. 

Use the attachment feature on the pre-registration website to attach additional forms, immunizations and birth certificates for students.

Special Education

The West Point Schools are responsible for the assessment, identification, and education of children, ages 3-21 inclusive, who are classified as educationally disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A 1991). To meet this requirement, a school-based team of specialists is available to review referrals, determine the need for evaluation and provide special education and related services. Service delivery models include: inclusion, pull out programs, co-teaching, consultation, monitoring and homebound instruction. While every effort is made to educate the children in their regular classrooms, some placements are separate from regular classrooms. These separate placements are determined to be least restrictive in that a child is given an opportunity to participate in an educational program appropriate to his/her individual instructional level. All pullouts are based on specific criteria.

Local School Boards

Enrollment Size

Approximately 700 children are enrolled in schools located on West Point. This number varies slightly dependent upon Soldier and Family populations within the community.

Academic Scores

Additional accreditation information and standardized test scores for West Point schools are available through the DoDEA Data Center.

Grade Systems

All DoDEA schools follow the same grading scale:

A=90-100%

B=80-89%

C=70-79%

D=60-69%

F=0-59%

Adult Education

West Point offers many opportunities for continuing education within the community both through online and evening courses. See the Education - Training (College/Technical) section for additional information.

The West Point School District includes West Point Elementary (PK-5) and West Point Middle School (6-8).  Both schools are located on the grounds of West Point and are part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).  Full time Active duty or DoD civilians who reside in permanent on base housing on West Point meet eligibility to register children in West Point (DoDEA) Schools. Students entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before 1 September of that academic year. Family members in grades 9-12, who reside in post housing, align with O’Neill High School.  O’Neill High School is part of the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District.  For families not residing in post housing, their children will align with the school/s in their respective district in which they reside. Other area school districts include; Cornwall Central School District, Washingtonville Central School District and Monroe Woodbury Central School District.  For more information please call the West Point School Liaison Officer at (845) 938-2092.

Enrollment Size

Approximately 700 children are enrolled in schools located on West Point. This number varies slightly dependent upon Soldier and Family populations within the community.

Academic Scores

Additional accreditation information and standardized test scores for West Point schools are available through the DoDEA Data Center.

Grade Systems

All DoDEA schools follow the same grading scale:

A=90-100%

B=80-89%

C=70-79%

D=60-69%

F=0-59%

The School Liaison Officer (SLO) is available to coordinate and assist school-age children and youth of military parents with educational opportunities and information necessary to achieve academic success. The SLO works in partnership with local schools to help enhance the educational experience and to serve as a conduit of information. The SLO is committed to improving the military child’s school transition and experience while sustaining both positive relationships and open communication between the military and the school community.  The school liaison office telephone number is 845-938-2092 or DSN 845-688-2092 and the fax number is 845-688-8160.

West Point offers many opportunities for continuing education within the community both through online and evening courses. See the Education - Training (College/Technical) section for additional information.

Eligibility: In order to register your child/children in West Point Schools, you are required to reside in post housing assigned on the United States Military Academy at West Point. If waiting for quarters, a letter from the Housing Office, West Point Family Homes (or its affiliate) indicating you will have quarters within 180 days is required. If the student is a ”guest‟, a letter from Housing, West Point Family Homes (or its affiliate) approving the request for the student to reside in quarters AND a copy of an official legal document from a court of competent jurisdiction indicating the person has been appointed a guardian for the child that is to be enrolled are required. To make sure this policy is enforced uniformly throughout DDESS, in every instance where a person seeks to enroll a child through the use of a guardianship, the DDESS district must contact the DDESS General Counsel’s Office for determination on the sufficiency of the guardianship. For all other students, if applicable, court documents indicating custody, i.e. divorced /separated parents are required.

Age Requirements:

• Children entering Pre School must be 4 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Students entering First Grade must be 6 years old on or before 1 September of the school year.
• Exceptions to this cut-off will only be granted if the child has been registered in a program accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization for at least 9 weeks and the change in schools is due to the sponsor’s PCS.
• A certified birth certificate issued by the responsible governmental office (state, county, US Department of State (for overseas births) is REQUIRED for enrollment In PreK, Kindergarten and First Grade.

Registration for all Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) requires at a minimum:

• Child's immunization records: The required minimum immunizations for the first semester of SY 11/12 includes a second dose of the Varicella vaccine. Immunization is NOT required in people with a history of natural disease (chicken pox). Susceptible children age 13 and older should receive two doses at least 4-8 weeks apart.
• Child’s Birth Certificate: A legible copy of original State birth certificate. For children born overseas, an original Form FS-240, “Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America” or an original Form DS-1350, “Certification of Birth Abroad” will be accepted.
• Records from previous school to include last report card/progress report (we can order these copies from previous schools).
• The sponsor’s CURRENT military orders. A copy of the Sponsor’s military ID (front only) can be used.
• Documentation of the sponsor's housing assignment in permanent quarters with CURRENT housing lease or a 90-180 Day Housing Waiver/Eligibility Impact Letter to WPES School registrar for your child to be eligible to attend SY 11/12.

Online Pre-Registration for New Students

Parents of students attending Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools can now pre-register their children for school with the click of a button. DoDEA has launched an Online Student Pre-Registration, with the aim of reducing the time parents will have to wait at the school registration site. In addition to helping parents and students, the new program will also allow school officials to better predict school enrollment for the upcoming year, make more informed decisions regarding teacher and staff requirements, and prepare in advance for special services, supplies, and other classroom needs. Parents can pre-register their children by visiting the website listed below. The web-based application allows parents to enter basic student information and contains a feature that allows parents to attach copies of their permanent change of station (PCS) orders and verify birth dates for students entering kindergarten or first grade and immunization records.

Use the attachment feature on the pre-registration website to attach additional forms, immunizations and birth certificates for students.

Special Education

The West Point Schools are responsible for the assessment, identification, and education of children, ages 3-21 inclusive, who are classified as educationally disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A 1991). To meet this requirement, a school-based team of specialists is available to review referrals, determine the need for evaluation and provide special education and related services. Service delivery models include: inclusion, pull out programs, co-teaching, consultation, monitoring and homebound instruction. While every effort is made to educate the children in their regular classrooms, some placements are separate from regular classrooms. These separate placements are determined to be least restrictive in that a child is given an opportunity to participate in an educational program appropriate to his/her individual instructional level. All pullouts are based on specific criteria.