Fort Detrick

Child and Youth Services Liaison, Education and Outreach Services
924 Doughten Drive
Fort Detrick, MD 21702

Phone 301-619-3247
Phone (DSN) 312-343-3247
Fax 301-619-5108

Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Sat and Sun - closed

Education

Introduction

All nine Frederick County public high schools once again ranked in the nation's top five percent in encouraging students to take challenging Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests, according to Newsweek Magazine's 2008 Challenge Index rating, released last month. The Forbes Best and Worst School Districts for the Buck ranked FCPS 21st in the nation for value, in the top quarter for high performance at low cost.

One of twenty-four Maryland school districts, Frederick County boasts one of the best public school systems in the state. It provides quality education to a diverse population of 41,000 students. The School system includes 63 schools: elementary (36), middle (13), high (9), and special education, alternative education, and career/technology facilities.

Education Week ranked Maryland education #1 in its nationwide 2009 and 2010 Quality Counts reports, while the College Board's 2009 Annual AP Report to the Nation also ranked Maryland first. FCPS achievement exceeds Maryland averages with scores that consistently surpass state and national averages on measures such as the College Board SAT.

Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) Graduation Requirements

Maryland requires a student to earn a minimum of 21 credits beyond the eighth grade and pass functional tests required by the Maryland State Board of Education. Additionally, passing 4 High School Achievement (HSAs) tests will be required.  Contact the school liaison for more information. About 70% of FCPS high school seniors indicate a desire to further their education by attending college, technical schools or joining the military.

Bus Service

FCPS provides bus transportation for more than 32,000 students every school day. For school bus riders, walking distance to the bus stop is no more than 1/2 mile. Parents are responsible for overseeing students as they walk to school or transporting them if the students' most practical, direct walking route to school is:

• 1.25 mile or less for grades pre-K through 5 (except at primary schools) or
• 1.75 miles or less for grades 6-12.

Meal Service

FCPS students may buy lunch in the school cafeteria or bring lunch from home. The Food Service Department offers meals (both breakfast and lunch) that meet nutritional guidelines for school age children. Milk is included with the traditional lunch or can be purchased separately. A la carte items are also available. Students with limited ability to pay may qualify for free and reduced-price meals. All foods offered in the school meals program are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture.

School Sports

High school sports are numerous and available at all FCPS schools. The schools boast everything from diving to field hockey. Most sports opportunities at the middle school level are offered through the community-based  athletic assocations or through the Youth Services on Ft. Detrick.

Admission

Maryland law states that eligible persons between the ages of 5 and 20 shall be admitted free of charge to the public schools. Attendance in a school program for those 5 to 16 years of age is compulsory. Students are assigned to schools based on the location of their homes. Children who attend child care center or Fort Detrick CYSS Programs on post may attend the school that serves the center by requesting an out of district waiver. All children must live in Frederick County.

To register a student, visit the office of the school your child will attend. The FCPS may obtain discipline and expulsion records when a student transfers from another school system. Please request a partial copy of your childs school record to ease transition.

To enroll a student for the first time, you must provide an enrollment form which is provided by the school, proof of date of birth, proof of Frederick county residency (current utility bill, tax bill, or lease agreement), proof of immunizations, and student's social security number. If you have enrollment questions, call the school liaison officer at 301-619-3247. School offices have all required forms and can provide further information. Forms are also available from the FCPS website.

Kindergarten

To enter the FCPS pre-k program a child must be 4 by September 1, and to enter the kindergarten program in August, a child must observe the fifth birthday on or before 1 September of that year. Children entering first grade in August must have completed public kindergarten.

Parents who do not wish to enroll a five-year-old in a kindergarten or other approved program may request a one year waiver. At the end of the year the student will enter kindergarten, not the first grade.

Local School Information

Frederick County Public Schools

Parents new to Fort Detrick can help ensure appropriate class sizes and staffing by registering their children as soon as possible at local schools, all of which are open during the summer. To find out which school serves a particular address, call 301-644-5238 or 301-644-5025.

The FCPS students have a 180-day school year in keeping with Maryland law.

The FCPS has developed a local student service program to meet the state's student service graduation requirement. The program integrates community service concepts in specific curricular areas in grades K-12. Each high school has a Service Learning Coordinator to assist with the implementation of this program.

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS)

The WCPS enrollment is 20,000 students. It has 40 traditional schools and six specialized schools.

The WASD requires that a student take a social studies course credit in each grade, 9 through twelve. The State specifies that each student MUST PASS American History, World History, and Civics. In addition, all students must complete driver's education, and all ninth grade students must complete a course in keyboarding/information technology. Students must carry a minimum of five subjects which meets five days a week for 49 minutes.

Waynesboro Area School District (WASD), Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

The district's 4,500 students attend classes in four elementary schools, a middle school and one high school.

FCPS Special Education

The Office's telephone number is 301-644-5281.

Most students are taught entirely or partly in regular classrooms or in special education classrooms within community schools. A small percentage of students with disabilities are educated in special day settings, and a very small number require residential placement outside the public school system.

The Special Education Program serves the instructional needs of students with disabilities that adversely affect their educational performance, from birth through the school year that the student reaches age 21. Priorities are to identify students with disabilities, provide proper evaluation, and with parents, make decisions concerning appropriate instruction through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team process. Every FCPS has an IEP team to implement a pre-referral process, determine whether a student has a disability that requires special education, identify services, recommend placement, and review that placement.

Private Schools

For families seeking different educational opportunities, there are several private schools within the Fort Detrick area offering both faith-based and non-faith based curriculums. Access the MD Deptartment of Education website for a complete list of MD certified private schools at or Non Public Scool Approval Overview.