Schools & Education
School Liaison Officer
96 FSS/FSF
301 W. Van Matre Ave, Bldg 210, Rm, 252 A
Eglin AFB, FL 32542
Phone 850-882-4319
Phone (DSN) 312-872-4319
Fax 850-882-9669
Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sat and Sun - closed
Holidays - closed
- Public School
- The Okaloosa County School System provides public education for PK, K-12. The Okaloosa County School District and Eglin AFB have partnered in an initiative to improve the transition of military children into the Florida public school system. In order to accomplish this, the school district has provided a checklist for your convenience. The sooner you contact the School Liaison Officer or Okaloosa School District after receipt of your new assignment, the better prepared they will be to ensure a smooth and meaningful transition for your child and significantly reduce the stress related with moving to a new school.
- The public school system suggests that when you arrive, even if you are temporary living in base lodging, enroll your child in school as soon as possible. The School Liaison Officer, 850-882-7237 or the Okaloosa County School District, 850-833-3100 can provide answers to your questions.
- Public Schools/Local Schools
- Registration Requirements
- Documentation required for registration includes the student's birth certificate, original social security number, and proof of immunizations as well as physical from the doctor and an up-to-date shot record. Florida requires your immunizations to be on the DH 680, Florida Certificate of Immunization or "Blue Card". This form is required for any child entering Florida schools (public or private, K-12), pre-schools, childcare facilities or family daycare homes. You can take your current shot records to your healthcare provider to have your child's immunization history transferred to the DH 680.
- Florida Public Schools Requirements by State Law
- Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test - Also known as the FCAT, this is a series of tests conducted during the Spring for every public school in Florida for grades 3 through 11. Results determine how well students are performing against the Sunshine State Standards, a specific set of academic expectations and teaching requirements covering writing, reading, math, and science. Fifth, 8th and 11th graders take the science portion of the FCAT which will affect school grades. The reading and math portions of the test are given to 3rd through 10th graders.
- Florida law requires youths from 6-16 to attend school.
- Kindergarten: Child must be 5 years old by 1 September of the school year.
- First Grade: Child must be 6 years old on 1 September of the school year.
- Kindergarten is a prerequisite for first grade in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties.
- High School graduation requirements for the State of Florida can vary based on the year the student enters ninth grade.
- Registration Requirements
- Exceptional Education Programs
- Students who are identified as academically gifted or handicapped under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) have the opportunity to participate in Exceptional Education programs. Psychological services are also available.
- Extracurricular Activities
- Many extracurricular activities are offered within the school system particularly in the high schools. Among those offered are band, chorus, flag corp, ROTC, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, wrestling, honor clubs and service clubs. Check with the particular school that your child will attend to find what activities are available since activities offered vary within the schools.
- School Liaison Officer
- Your School Liaison Officer has put together the Eglin Educational Handbook for your convenience. It includes information on the local school districts, checklists for items you will need to bring/hand carry to your new school, graduation requirements and other pertinent information you need prior to leaving your current location.
- Private School
- A number of private schools are available in the Eglin AFB area. Most private schools have a religious affiliation or relationship. It is suggested that the individual schools be contacted to learn of the tuition required. Additional fees such as music, art, uniforms, books, registration, deposits and transportation should be considered.
- Adult Education
- For adults, many educational opportunities are offered at Eglin and the focal point for all education programs is the Base Education Center. Professional guidance counselors are available for both active duty and dependents on a walk-in basis. They can direct you to courses of study at the local community college as well as programs through several colleges and universities who hold classes on base or through distance learning.