School Liaison Office

1. How do I contact the Edwards AFB School Liaison Specialist?

Our current School Liaison Specialist is Rebecca Balkenbush

Phone Number: 661-277-2456 or DSN: 527-2456

Email: rebecca.balkenbush@us.af.mil or 412.fss.school.liaison@us.af.mil

Location: 5 N. Seller Avenue, Bldg. 3000. Located in the FSS Command Section.

2. What school choices do you I have for my child?

You may send your child to a traditional public school where you live, a public magnet school, a public charter school, a private school or home-school.

3. Is there a law that supports military connected students?

Yes, the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children uses a comprehensive approach that provides a consistent policy in every school district and in every State that chooses to join.  The goal of the Compact is to replace the widely varying policies affecting transitioning military students.

The Compact addresses key educational transition issues encountered by military families including enrollment, placement, attendance, special education services, eligibility and graduation.

Children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and reserve on active duty orders, and, for one year after leaving service, members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired are eligible for assistance under the Compact.  For additional information, please visit the Interstate Compact Commission at www.mic3.net.

4. What private schools are available?

Your School Liaison Specialist has listings of private schools in the surrounding areas around Edwards AFB.  Information on private schools is also available on the California Department of Education website http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/ps/.

The Private School Directory lists over 1,000 private schools that filed the annual Private School Affidavit and reported enrollments of six or more students. The majority of our students attend schools in Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County.

5. Which schools are the best?

All public schools in California are responsible for California State learning standards. Please review each school’s Academic Performance Index (API) and school climate survey at the link below to determine the best match for your child: http://www.cde.ca.gov/getschoolreport.  In addition, please visit CA School Data at http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/ or http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/.

6. How do I know which school my child will go to?

The California Education Code 48200 states that where you live determines where your child attends a traditional public school.

You may request a permit to transfer however permits are not always granted from your home school district.  If you live on base housing your home school district is the MUROC Joint Unified school district. Please visit their web site to obtain a permit to transfer application at www.muroc.k12.ca.us.

7. I want to home-school my child(ren), what do I need to do?

To learn what options your local schools offer, start by asking the public school district in which you live what programs allow schooling at home. A more detailed discussion of the various educational options available is located in the CDE Fact Book 2009 (pages 94-99) on the CDE Fact Book Web page http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ps/rq/psfaq.asp#D.

8. What is needed to register my child?

Birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residency, and contact info for last school attended. For Kindergarten, a physical examination and dental screening is required. For special needs, a copy of latest IEP and last evaluation. Copy of Cumulative Folder: Current Schedule/Report Cards/Test Scores and Course Descriptions/Grading Scale if available for 6^th grade and above.

9. What is a Magnet School? Are all Magnet Schools gifted in nature?

A Magnet school is a public school operated under a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan offering a specialized curriculum, to a student body representing a cross section of the community. They attract students of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds with similar educational interests, provide unique sets of learning opportunities, encourage innovation, and promote academic gains for students. Not all magnet schools are gifted.

10. What if my child has special needs?

Edwards AFB has the Exceptional Family Member Program – Family Support (EFMP-FS) and the EFMP-Medical.  The EFMP-FS Specialist can help navigate and/or connect with community and family support services through:

• Information and Referral (before, during, and after PCS) to on-base, local, state, and federal services
• Support Services in the form of outreach
• Community awareness and education on EFMP

For more information, call the EFMP-Family Support Coordinator, Ms. Stefanie Warner, at 277-0723 or for the EFMP Medical Officer, please contact Mr. Scott Couper at scott.a.couper.ctr@mail.mil.

• Antelope Valley Union High School: www.avdistrict.org
• Acton-Aqua Dulce Unified: www.aadusd.k12.ca.us
• Eastside Union K-8: www.eastside.k12.ca.us
• El Tejon Unified School District Home - El Tejon Unified School District el-tejon.k12.ca.us
• Gorman Joint Gorman Elementary School gormanschool.com
• Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union http://www.helus.org
• Keppel Union School District Keppel Union School District https://www.keppelunion.org/
• Lancaster K-8: www.lancsd.org
• Mojave Unified K-12: www.mojave.k12.ca.us
• Muroc Joint Unified K-12: www.muroc.k12.ca.us
• Palmdale K-8: www.palmdalesd.org
• Southern Kern Unified K-12: www.skusd.k12.ca.us
• Tehachapi Unified K-12: tehachapiusd.com
• Westside Union: www.westside.k12.ca.us
• Wilsona School District: wilsonasd.net

So you’re moving! Are you nervous? Scared? Excited? Would you like to get to know someone your age, with similar interests at your new base? A youth sponsor can provide you with info about schools, shopping, and culture & maybe even become your bestie!

Would you like a sponsor? The Youth Sponsorship Program is a way to connect with youth and teens at Edwards.

Fill out the Youth Sponsorship request form and our Youth Programs and/or School Liaison will match you up according to gender, age/grade, and interests/hobbies.

Edwards Youth Sponsorship Request Form (1)

ExpandedEligibility_FLYER Spring 23

Connect with School Liaisons Worldwide.

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Visit: Edwards Air Force Base School Liaison Program

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