Education

Enrollment Policy

Whiteman Air Force Base has been listed in the top 5% of area schools best serving the military community. There is a serious approach to academics with a total person methodology. The friendly, relaxed and professional atmosphere at each school in the district helps students feel important.

Public schools normally start in August and run through May with the standard holidays being observed; however, you should check with the school in particular for the actual dates, they may vary. All public schools in the local area are considered exceptional schools.

Whiteman has numerous school districts around the base. State law requires a child to be five years of age on or before 1 August. If the family is relocating from another state, start dates may be waived under the MIC3 interstate compact.  Birth certificates are required for children enrolling in the school for the first time. State law makes it mandatory for parents to present sufficient evidence that the child has been protected against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, red measles rubella and tuberculosis PPD Mntoux. Children will not be allowed to start school until necessary immunizations have been obtained and actual dates of those immunizations have been provided to the school. It is very important to hand carry shot records do not ship the records in household goods, your child cannot be enrolled without them!

Bus

Bus transportation is provided for K - 12 if the child lives 1 mile or more from the school. Please check with the individual schools to determine their rules. Transportation is provided to all children with special needs.

Meals

Children are welcomed to bring in their own healthy lunches in from home or take advantage of the school lunch program. Free or reduced rates for school lunches are available for those that qualify.

Before and After School Programs

Before and After School Programs are available through the Whiteman Youth Center as well as being offered in our various school districts. Please see school district homepages for more information.

Sports

A large variety of sports programs are available in the local school districts.  In the Middle Schools these would include: basketball, track, football, basketball, volleyball, cross country and wrestling.  In High School, these generally include:  football, tennis, volleyball, softball, fall cheerleading, winter cheerleading, basketball, basketball, wrestling, track, baseball, golf, and cross country. 

Exceptional Children Programs

All district schools assure that they will provide a free, appropriate public education to all eligible children with disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 under its jurisdiction.  Disabilities include autism, deaf/blindness, emotional disorders, hearing impairment and deafness, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, visual impairment/blindness, and developmental delays in young children.

The district assure that personally identifiable information collected, used, or maintained by the agency for the purposes of identification, evaluation, placement or provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) of children with disabilities may be inspected and/or reviewed by their parents/guardians.  Parents/guardians may request amendment to the educational record if the parent/guardian believes the record is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of their child.  Parents have the right to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education or the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education concerning alleged failures by the district to meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

The Whiteman Elementary School on base is part of the Knob Noster School District. There is an additional elementary school, middle school and high school in Knob Noster, MO. Additional school districts nearby include Warrensburg, and Sedalia. Information regarding the Knob Noster School District can be found at:http://www.knobnoster.k12.mo.us/ 

The Knob Noster School District has an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students in grades Pre-K through 12. A broad spectrum of special services and programs supplement a comprehensive curriculum.

Knob Noster High School was recognized by US News and World Report as Missouri's number one rural high school for college and career readiness. The district and our team continue to serve as a model for military-connected school districts across the nation.

Parents enrolling students for the first time in Knob Noster Schools must present a copy of immunization records, social security number, and enrollment records from the previous school, including course schedule and withdrawal grades. Information on special education needs must be provided so I.E.P.s and a diagnostic summary may be obtained. All students must meet attendance requirements as outlined in School Board Policy. Students enrolled are required to be immunized against Diptheria, Polio, Measles, Rubella and Hepatitis B. All immunization requirements must be met before a student can attend school. Parents must provide current emergency contact telephone numbers to the office.

Grading Scale (4.0-point scale)

A 95 - 100 A- 90 - 94 B+ 87 - 89

B 83 - 86 B- 80 - 82 C+ 77 - 79

C 73 - 76 C- 70 - 72 D+ 67 - 69

D 63 - 66 D- 60 - 62 F Below 60

I - Incomplete or delayed grade

Most private schools in the area are denomination based, but students are accepted from all denominations. There are other private schools in the Kansas City area, but they are far from the installation. More information is available upon request from the Whiteman School Liaison.  660-687-7664. 

Homeschool families will find great cooperation within the districts and a wonderful network of parent groups at Whiteman.

Home schooling is one of the options available for meeting the state's compulsory attendance law, Section 167.031, RSMo. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does NOT regulate or monitor home schooling in Missouri. Neither the State Board of Education nor the Department has the authority to issue regulations or guidelines concerning home schooling.

CCAF/Off Duty Education Classes

509 FSS/FSDE-Education & Training Section is the keystone for superior education programs and guidance to Airmen at Whiteman Air Force. The Whiteman Education Center delivers three main functions-counseling/advisement, testing, and program management to Airmen,

Civilians, Retirees, and Family Members. CCAF advisement and counseling support is provided to Whiteman Airmen in the form of information and resources in areas such as how to select a college/or university to attend, initiating military tuition assistance, and direction on navigating the voluntary education program successfully. The Education Center is also the OPR for the DoD SkillBridge program.

CLEP/DSST Testing is provided free of charge to all Active Duty Airmen, Guard, and Reserve. Off duty education courses are offered by three on-base colleges. State Fair Community College, which is a GEM (General Education Mobility) school and allows Airmen to meet the requirements for CCAF degree completion or civilian associate's degree. The University of Central Missouri offers bachelor's and master's programs. Columbia College also offers bachelor's and master's programs. The Whiteman Education Center is located at 511 Spirit Blvd, Building 515. The phone number is 660-687-5750.

Special Education/EFMP

Personnel arriving with an Exceptional Family Member-Medical issues should contact the EFMP-M Office, 660-687-6032, upon arrival. Appointments are required. For EFMP-Family Support 660-687-7132 or School Liaison issues 660-687-7664. Schools in the local area offer exceptional mainstream educational opportunities for students with special needs.