Navy Region Southeast School Liaison Directory http://www.militaryk12partners.dodea.edu/resources.cfm
Naval Construction Battalion Center
School Liaison Officer Office Phone 228-871-2117
Building 352 Cell Phone 228-224-4521
1706 Bainbridge Avenue Fax 228-871-2967
Gulfport, MS 39501 Hours 0730-1600
Mississippi Gulf Coast School Guide 2016-2017
Welcome to Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson counties make up the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region, which is home to the longest man made beach-over 26 miles. The three coastal counties are comprised of 12 public school districts operating over 110 different schools. There are also numerous private and parochial schools.
The School Liaison Officer’s main objective is to serve as a link between parents, educators, and the command so the military-connected child can have a smooth school transition. Other duties include creating partners in education, home school linkage, post secondary preparations, special education systems navigation, and to serve as a subject matter expert for education related issues.
Public School Information
Mississippi Department of Education
To enroll your child in Mississippi Public Schools, you must present the following:
1. A Mississippi Compliance Form (121) Take your child’s shot record to the Harrison County Health Department (228-863-1036), a community physician, or to the CBC Branch Medical Clinic Immunizations Section (228-871-2810, then press 5) to obtain a compliance form.
2. Child’s social security card.
3. Certified copy of child’s birth certificate.
4. Two proofs of residency-acceptable proof-deed, lease agreement, parent/guardian drivers license with Mississippi address, utility bills.
The Director of Housing has a Letter of Domicile that can act as one proof if needed.
5. If you are entering school mid-year, we recommend you provide samples of your child’s work from your most recent school. Also, report cards, progress reports, current IEP, withdrawal documentation from previous school, and standardized test scores if possible.
School Districts by County
Harrison County
Biloxi School District http://www.biloxischools.net
Gulfport School District http://www.gulfportschools.org
Harrison County School District http://www.harrison.k12.ms.us
Long Beach School District http://www.lbsdk12.com
Pass Christian School District http://www.pc.k12.ms.us
Hancock County
Bay St. Louis and Waveland School District http://bwsd.org
Hancock County School District http://hancock.k12.ms.us
Jackson County
Gautier and Pascagoula School District http://www.psd.ms
Jackson County School District http://www.jcsd.k12.ms.us
Moss Point School District http://www.mp.k12.ms.us
Ocean Springs School District http://www.ossd.k12.ms.us
Pearl River County
Pearl River County School District http://www.prc.k12.ms.us
Picayune School District http://www.pcu.k12.ms.us
Poplarville School District http://www.poplarvilleschools.org
Stone County
Stone County School District http://www.stone.k12.ms.us
Slidell, Louisiana
For information on St. Tammany Schools, call the Slidell Annex at: (985) 646-4917, or click on this link http://www.stpsb.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age can my child start school in Mississippi?
Children must be 5 years old on or before September 1.
2. Does NCBC Gulfport have a school on base? No
3. If I live in base housing can I choose which school district my children will attend? Effective 1 July 2013, House Bill 879, allows parents residing on Naval Construction Battalion Center to have the option of enrolling their children in adjacent school districts to Gulfport (Long Beach, Harrison County, Biloxi). Parents must provide transportation to out-of-district school with the exception of Long Beach. Both Gulfport and Long Beach run bus service on CBC. Gulfport buses transport to 28th Street Elementary, Gaston Point Elementary, Central Middle, and the High School. Long Beach buses transport to Quarles Elementary, Harper McCaughan 4-6, the Middle and High School.
4. Which school is best to attend? Each parent and child must decide which school best meets their needs. Visit prospective schools either personally or via the internet. Search for school information on the following sites:
2014 accountability results
To see school, district, and state report cards follow these directions:
a. Go to www.mde.k12.ms.us (Mississippi Department of Education)
b. Under MDE Quick Links click on state, district, and school report cards
c. Choose a school to review data
5. If I know where I will live, how can I find out which school my child will attend? If you are not sure which school district you reside in, ask your realtor or contact the School Liaison Officer at 228-871-2117.
6. Do schools offer a preschool program? Only a few school districts have a pre-k program. They have qualification requirements and fees involved. Our base Child Development Center, 228-871-2323 offers a full pre-school program. Also, please check www.prek4ward.org. They have seven classes.
7. Can I home school in Mississippi? Yes, any parent is permitted by law to teach his or her own children in a home instruction program. The state has a minimal amount of regulation that families must follow to legally home school. By September 15, of each year, parents are required to submit a certificate of enrollment for each child age 6-17 by September 1. Call the School Attendance Officer for more information, 228-865-4708.
8. Are there support groups for home school families? Please visit these websites:
Advocates for Homeschooling- http://www.hslda.org
Mississippi Home School Education Association - http://www.mhea.net
http://www.homeschoolcentral.com
9. Are there private and parochial schools near NCBC? Yes, there are many religious and secular schools located in South Mississippi.
Catholic Diocese Web site
Holy Trinity Catholic School
Nativity BVM Academy
Our Lady Academy
Resurrection Middle/High School
Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School
St. Alphonsus Catholic School
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Elementary School
St. James Elementary School
St. John Elementary
St. Patrick High School
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
St. Stanislaus College
Christian Collegiate Academy
Temple Christian Academy
Coast Episcopal
Northwood Christian Academy
Westminister Academy
Cedar Lake Christian Academy
10. Is there a checklist for transitioning my special needs student? Yes. You need to bring your students current IEP, copies of all comprehensive assessment-eligibility reports, student work/report card along with the documents mentioned under public school information. Each state may have different assessments and terminology. You will need to contact the LSC (Local Survey Chairperson) at your child’s new school.
11. Does NCBC participate in the Partnership in Education Program with schools? Yes, currently 3 Battalions, Branch Medical Clinic, and NCTC have partnered with 5 schools from 3 school districts. They assist the schools through programs involving mentoring, tutoring, proctoring, field days, career days, special events, and other activities.
12. What other support is available for a transitioning student? Currently, two high schools have the Student 2 Student Program offered by the Military Child Education Coalition. S2S is a school based sponsored program. These programs, which also assist in deployment support, will greatly help smooth school transitions for incoming and outgoing students. We have 13 Military Family Life Consultants (MFLC’s) working at 37 schools in 7 different school districts. While there primarily to support our military students, they can also educate our school staff on military issues through training sessions.
Exceptional Family Member Program
The Exceptional Family Member Program, EFMP, was originally established to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Act on DODD Schools. It is used to coordinate PCS assignments to ensure the availability of services required to meet the families special needs. Enrollment is mandatory for family member(s) experiencing physical, emotional, or intellectual disability or long term special education needs. For more information on the Exceptional Family Member Program or for information on local resources please contact the EFMP Liaison, Susan Smith, at Fleet and Family Support Center at (228) 871-3000/3640 or e-mail susan.smith2.ctr@navy.mil.
SOAR (Student Online Achievement Resources)
SOAR is a program for military families and the school districts that serve them. It aims to address the unique challenges facing military children in our nation’s public schools, while benefiting the overall student population. SOAR Home is an internet-based application, which is easily accessible worldwide.
Parent components include:
1. Easy assess to their children
2. Links to military installations, transition resources and school websites
3. Resources for at-home learning activities
4. Message board
5. State-specific resources, such as state learning standards
6. Links to Department of Education and other educational websites
Student components include:
1. Assessments aligned with state standards to identify their strengths and weaknesses in reading and mathematics
2. Tutorial lessons to reinforce and review skills not mastered
SOAR School provides assessment and remediation tools, as well as professional development for teachers and staff. For more information, go to http://www.soarathome.com/
Web Sites for School related information:
Military Child Education Coalition -- www.militarychild.org
Military Impacted Schools Association - http://www.militaryimpactedschoolsassociation.org
Department of Defense Education Activity - www.dodea.edu
Department of Education - www.ed.gov
National Association of Education of Young Children - www.naeyc.org
National Center for Education Statistics - www.nces.gov.org
National Military Family Association - www.nmfa.org
Military Teen/Military Kids on the Move - http://apps.mhf.dod.mil
Military One Source - www.militaryonesource.com
Scholarship Web sites:
Scholarships for Military Children
The Fisher House
U.S. Department of Education
Federal Student Aid
DANTES, the Educational Support for the DoD World
Scholarships.com
Fast Web
College Board
Sallie Mae, Student Loans
Mississippi Gulf Coast School Start/Finish Dates
Start Finish Start Finish
Bay Waveland 8/6 5/20 Jackson Cty 8/6 5/20
Biloxi 8/6 5/26 Long Beach 8/6 5/20
Gulfport 8/13 5/27 Ocean Spgs 8/10 5/25
Hancock 8/6 5/20 Pascagoula 8/6 5/26
Harrison 8/6 5/20 Pass Chris 8/6 5/20
Ten Tips on how to help your child succeed in school:
1. Let your child know education is important-it is the foundation for his or her future.
2. Show your child that you are interested in what he or she is learning.
3. Know what your child is expected to learn at each grade level.
4. Make sure your child is making progress every year.
5. Give your child some “face Time.” Be free with praise.
6. Ask if your child has homework-and check to see that it gets done.
7. Read to your child or have your child read alone for at least 20 minutes.
8. Ask your child if there is any “backpack mail” from school.
9. Check in with your child’s teacher through a personal visit, a phone call, or an e-mail-every month.
10. Plan a special outing for your child that relates to what’s happening at school.
