School Support Services
- Helping schools understand the challenges military Families face
- Informing parents about local school policies
- Giving Families information about local schools, graduation requirements, after school programs, youth sponsorship and homeschooling
- Connecting units and schools through partnership initiatives
- Conducting workshops to help parents navigate educational transition and advocate for their children
- Providing an array of resources that benefit military youth and improve school experiences
- When Do I Need a SLO?
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Getting ready to move:
- Information about your upcoming duty station and educational options in your new community
- Connection to a youth sponsor who can answer your child’s questions from a youth’s perspective
- Assistance with the steps to prepare for your children’s departure from their current schools
Once you are arrive:
- Assistance with school registration and transition
- Help with questions about compliance and solutions regarding the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
- Two way communication between the school and parent
- Connection with homeschool co-ops or support groups
During your assignment:
- Answers to your questions about schools, homeschooling, special education, scholarships, transitions and more.
- Parent education opportunities about college and career readiness, preparing for transition and the Interstate Compact
To ease the transition, contact your SLO as soon as you get orders.
- Finding a School
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Finding a new school and registering your child can be confusing.
We can help.
Our SLOs give you information on local schools so you can find the best fit for you and your family. They can also help you with everything you need to register – and can answer other questions, too. Contact our office and to get more detailed information.
Central Flint Hills Area School Districts
- Geary County USD 475
- Manhattan/Ogden USD 383
- Clay County USD 379
- Chapman USD 473
- Abilene USD 435
- Riley County USD 378
- Rural Vista USD 481
- Herington USD 487
- Morris County USD 417
- Wamego USD 320
- Rock Creek USD 323
- Solomon USD 393
- Salina USD 305
- Mill Creek Valley USD 329
- Centre USD 397
- Blue Valley USD 384
Kansas State Department of Education School Building Report Cards
Research-based Characteristics of Quality Schools
Most schools share fundamental characteristics that prepare students for the future. Research shows that the most effective schools are more alike than they are different. Here is some information about what to look for in quality schools:
- Five Key Features of Effective Schools
- Effective Schools Research Base
- What is Effective School Research?
- The United States Department of Education provides detailed information about choosing a school and offers a great number of resources to help you make an informed decision when choosing a school for your child.
- Youth Sponsorship
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Does your child have 101 questions about your next duty station? Let a youth sponsor answer them!
Youth sponsors connect with children before arrival at a new duty station, provide them with information about their new communities and answer questions from a youth perspective – while being guided by adults in the CYS youth program and the schools.
Once you arrive, a youth sponsor will meet your child and can arrange community and school tours.If you're preparing for a PCS move, contact your SLO today to sign up for a youth sponsor.
- Special Education Information
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If you have a child with special needs, we can help you find the resources available in your school district. We can also connect you with your local installation’s Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) office.
- Additional References & Resources for Special Education
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Highly mobile children are entitled to an expedited process, including: a) evaluations in 30 days instead of 60 days, b) removed delays due to school district schedules for Families moving during incomplete screenings, c) continued Extended School Year for students moving in the summer. The United State Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services outlines these requirements for State Directors of Special Education.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources offers parent education, acronyms, tools, webinars and a directory of local Parent and Information Training Centers to appropriately advocate for their children, proactively supporting personal accountability. Funded by OSEP.
Military OneSource has a range of resources in caring for a family member with special needs: education, health care, legal, financial, points of contact (EFMP, School Liaisons, etc.)
Military Community & Family Policy-Office of Special Needs provides directory of age-specific resources and States at a Glance for state education special education resources and parent resources.
DirectSTEP provides no-cost, Army sponsored online training for educators and parents on a host of special education topics such as understanding federal requirements, best practices for behavior management, IDEA eligibility, IEPs and more. Through the eCourses parents and educators learn how to apply education laws in order to obtain positive outcomes associated with critical education issues. Access the course listing and registration page through the links below.
- Home School
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Home schooling has become mainstream and widely-used. We offer resources and information to help you provide quality home-based education.
Home School Legal Defense Association provides information on home school law, and general support and information about homeschooling.
What do I have to do in order to legally home-school my child in Kansas?
Unlike some states, Kansas does not specifically authorize "home instruction" or "home schooling" by state statute. However, Kansas does recognize non-accredited private schools. Non-accredited schools are not required to employ teachers who are certified by the state, but their courses must be taught by competent instructors, and they must hold classes for a period of time which is substantially equivalent to the time public schools are in session in the area in which the non-accredited school is located (at least 186 days of not less than 6 hours per day, or 1116 hours per year for grades 1-11). Non-accredited private schools are required by law to register the name and address of the private elementary or secondary school with the state board of education. Registration consists of completing a form provided by the state showing the name and address of the school and the name and address of the official custodian of the school's records. No fee is charged for registration of a non-accredited school.
Helpful links for families interested in home-schooling
- What you need to know about homeschooling in Kansas
- Local home school contact information may be obtained at the Fort Riley Homeschool website
Kansas laws and home schooling resources are available at School Support Services, located at Parent Central Services.
- Transition Support
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We understand that military transitions for children include much more than school plans and enrollment. We have a number of resources to help make your move as easy as possible for the kids, including:
Military Kids Connect provides online age-appropriate resources to help parents, teachers and children cope with the unique challenges of military life.
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) addresses key transition issues military Families experience, including enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation. All 50 states have signed the compact and are in varying stages of implementation and/or compliance. The compact applies to children of Active Duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders and members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired within past year.
If you feel that you have an issue that the Compact can help address talk with your SLO. The SLO is able to assist by connecting with both the sending and receiving school to assist in resolving the issue. If it is not possible to resolve the issue locally, the SLO will help you work with the state commission, and if needed, the national office.
- Post - Secondary Support
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Our support doesn’t end with elementary education. If you have children preparing for academic life after high school, we can help you find information about testing opportunities, scholarships and military-specific resources that can help you plan.
The US Department of Veteran’s Affairs provides information about Military-Specific and Government Academic Support G.I. Bill
The Transferability of Educational Benefits for the Post 9/11 GI Bill are very specific. The Defense Manpower Data Center, through MilConnect will guide you through the transfer process and your eligibility to do so. Speak with an Education Counselor prior to making this election in order to ensure you understand the benefit.
In-State Tuition Programs for Military: Service-members, active duty for a period of more than 30 days and their dependents are eligible to receive in-state tuition at many public colleges and universities in the state where they reside or are permanently stationed. An enrolled dependent may pay in-state tuition as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled at the institution, even if the service-member is reassigned outside of the state. Regulations outlined in the Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008 (P.L 110 - 135) and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (pdf) apply.
FREE SAT/ACT Prep: eKnowledge Corporation offers donated SAT/ACT preparation programs for eligible military-connected students. For more information visit the eKnowledge website.
SOAR is a free website providing students and parents with tutorials in math, language arts, and SAT/ACT preparation. For more information visit the SOAR website.
- Fort Riley Area Seconday School Support
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School Support Services - Academic
- Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Unique Military Child Identifier? Numerous states have enacted a voluntary report-only self-identification of military children within their public school systems. This data collection would allow monitoring of critical elements such as academic progress and proficiency, special and advanced program participation, mobility and dropout rates. Requirements and method of collection vary from state to state.
Impact Aid
Many local school districts across the United States include within their boundaries parcels of land that are owned by the Federal Government. They must provide a quality education to the children living on the Indian and other Federal lands while sometimes operating with less local revenue than is available to other school districts, because the Federal property is exempt from local property taxes.
Congress has provided financial assistance to these local school districts through the Impact Aid Program. Each year Military members and Federal employees complete a Survey Form. The amount of Impact Aid – or federal assistance –received is determined by the number of eligible parents/guardians who complete the survey form. It partially compensates school districts affected by federal activity for local tax losses resulting from tax-free federal installations.
Impact Aid Fact Sheet (we will provide a hand out to link to)
Impact Aid Website
At overseas/international locations where there is not a Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) school, NDSP supports a variety of options for your children, ranging from public or private schools to homeschool programs. NDSP has a team of education specialists who are available to provide transition and educational support and coordination for all students, including those with special needs. Sponsors are encouraged contact the NDSP as soon as possible for specific school information.
Phone Number +1 (571)372-5863 or +1 (571)372-1897
Where do the children of on-post housing occupants attend school?
Children in kindergarten through 5th grade attend one of five elementary schools on post. Grades 6-8 attend Fort Riley Middle School on post. High school-aged youth, grades 9-12, are bused to Junction City High School.How old must my child be to start kindergarten?
Any child who attains the age of 5 on or before Aug. 31 of the school year is eligible to attend kindergarten in the state of Kansas. Also, any child who was a resident in another state and was enrolled in and attended kindergarten is eligible for kindergarten in Kansas, regardless of the child’s age.Are students required to wear school uniforms in Fort Riley schools?
None of the public school districts serving the Fort Riley area are currently requiring uniforms for students. Each school district does have its own policy regarding appropriate dress for school. Check with your specific school’s principal for information regarding these policies. Some private schools in the area do have uniform policies.What records and documents will I need to enroll my child in school?
School enrollments typically take place at the school building your student will be attending. Parents are strongly encouraged to bring photocopies of all academic records with them whenever they PCS to a new duty station (do not put these with your household goods).The following records are required at the time of your student’s enrollment:
- Child Health Assessment (physical examination): Children age 8 or under, enrolling in a Kansas school for the first time, will be required to present results of a Child Health Assessment to have been completed within 12 months of school entry or within 90 days after school entry. This also applies to preschool children entering school for the first time. Parents are strongly encouraged to make appointments early for completion of the Health Assessment prior to the first day of school.
- Kansas Certificate of Immunization Card (KCI)
- Grade cards, certified transcripts, special education IEPs, or similar record or data of previous school attendance
- Proof of identity (birth certificate, passport, driver’s license)
What are the Kansas graduation requirements?
Wondering about graduation requirements in the Fort Riley Area? Check the resources below for answers.- Consult page 18 of the Junction City High School handbook
- Manhattan High School
- State of Kansas Qualified Admission Guidelines
U.S. Department of Education guidance for highly mobile children
Ensuring a high-quality education for highly mobile children is a critical responsibility for all of us. Highly mobile children include children experiencing frequent family moves into new school districts, such as military-connected children, migrant children, children in the foster care system, and children who are homeless. While these children often possess remarkable resilience, they also experience formidable challenges as they cope with frequent educational transitions. Learn more here.Military OneSource resources for children with special needs
Access information including an education directory for children with special needs, an overview of special education, your PCS and special education services and more. Learn more here.
Hours of Operation
| Monday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Federal Holidays | Closed |
School Support Services provides Army school-aged youth with educational opportunities, resources and information necessary to achieve academic success. A branch of Child & Youth Services (CYS), School Support Services features School Liaison Officers (SLOs), who help schools, installations and Families work together for student achievement.
SLOs are your best support in the area of education, schools and military transitions. SLOs are knowledgeable in current education news and policies. They act as the conduit between the school community – including local public school districts, private schools and home school Families – and the installation.
How do they do it? By
