Education

Children residing on Vandenberg SFB may attend schools in the Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD). There is one elementary school on main base. A middle school and one charter school are located in the East Housing area across from the Main gate. The nearest high school for base students is located in Vandenberg Village, 5 miles from VSFB. There is bus service for the middle and high school students. These schools are on the traditional schedule.

The city of Lompoc is served by two high schools, two middle schools and nine elementary schools. Two of these elementary schools in Lompoc follow the year-round schedule. Visit the Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD) website to gain access to individual schools; information such as Accountability Report Cards school contact information, locations, calendars and before/after school programs.

All LUSD schools offer a full array of sports, clubs and service opportunities to help youth learn leadership responsibilities and have fun. Breakfast and lunch meal options are offered at each school. LUSD offers a Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE), meetings are open to the public and anyone with an interest in the education of gifted and talented students is welcome.

Lompoc Unified School District also serves those choosing Independent Home Study for their children grades K-12. Through the Mission Valley School, the district provides student textbooks and materials as well as teacher guides.  Call 805-742-3252 for more information.

Enrollment requirements for Public School 

To enroll in Kindergarten a child must be 5 years old on or before December 2nd of the school year. In addition, parents must provide proof of child's age and a current immunization record.

Parents/guardians should register their kindergarten students at the school in their attendance area. If parents/guardians have questions regarding their particular attendance area, they should call the Lompoc School District Central Attendance at 805-742-3244, or the nearest elementary school.

Parents/guardians registering students must bring their child's official birth certificate for age verification, official immunization records, and verification of address (such as a rent receipt or utility bill with the parents' name).

The child should accompany the parent/guardian the day of registration. School nurses and other school staff will confer with each child's parent/guardian, check immunization records and will discuss any concerns for the child's well being while in school. 

California law requires that all school children must be up-to-date on the following immunizations:

• Polio
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
• Hepatitis B Series (3 doses)
• Varicella

An official immunization record is required prior to registration and enrollment of the kindergarten child.

New legislation for a Kindergarten Oral Health Check began January 1, 2007. This requires that children have a dental check-up by May 31 of their first year in public school, at kindergarten or first grade. Dental evaluations that have happened within the 12 months prior to school entry also meet this requirement.

Whooping cough has been increasing in the U.S. and continues to be widespread in California.  For the 2011-12 school year only, children entering 7th-12th grade will need proof of a Tdap shot before starting school. For 2012-13 and beyond, only students entering 7th grade will need proof of a Tdap shot.  Tdap safely protects against three dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis).  Contact 30 MDG Immunizations Clinic 805-606-8474 for vaccination information.

Current enrollment size for the LUSD is 10,141 students. Recent published information lists a 20:1 student/teacher ratio for the district as a whole. Please check with an individual school to determine the actual ratio for that school. Stanford Achievement Test results for LUSD can be found on the California Department of Education website.

Children residing on Vandenberg SFB may attend schools in the Lompoc Unified School District (LUSD). There is one elementary school on the main base and a middle school located across from the Main gate. All are run by Lompoc Unified School District. The nearest high school for base students is located in Vandenberg Village, 5 miles from VSFB. There is bus service for the middle and high school students. School Liaison Office: 805-606-5698 or 805-865-6185.

In addition to public schools, the Lompoc Valley offers private schools and a network for homeschooling children. A variety of private schools include grades K-12 and are mainly located in the towns of Santa Maria and Lompoc. Not every school is able to provide transportation for their students.

Some of the Private Schools located in Lompoc area include: 

Children's Montessori School

Grace Christian Academy

La Purisima Concepcion School

The Base Education Center is the focal point for all post- secondary education programs offered at Vandenberg SFB or in the local area. These include college programs leading to the associates, baccalaureate and masters level degree program. No courses are offered on-base specifically for the purpose of preparing individuals to take specific exams (e.g., General Equivalency Diploma (GED). College Level Examination Program (CLEP), college admission tests, etc.). English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED preparatory courses are available in the local area.

The Vandenberg Space Force Base Education Center located at 641 Utah Avenue, Bldg. 13640 houses the First Term Airman Center/Career Assistance Advisor, Base, Formal, and Civilian Training, Education Services offices and three on-site colleges.

Phone: 805-605-5900

Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday Closed

Adult Education offered by Lompoc Unified School District includes drivers education, ESL, citizenship, GED prep, parenting, career training, and health & safety courses. For information on the full schedule phone 805-742-3100.

A professional guidance counselor is available by appointment for active duty members. Complete testing service is available for active duty members and includes: CLEP, DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), SAT and other specialized tests. Most services are not available to family members except on a space available basis. Information pertaining to financial aid is available to all personnel, and tuition assistance is authorized for active duty personnel.