Where you belong…the Chattahoochee Valley Region of Alabama & Georgia.
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Frequently asked questions
EDUCATION QUESTIONS:
Q1.Does the Hope Scholarship waiver of requirements apply to military families only or are the dependents of Army Civil Service employees or contractors included?
A1. The house Bill 484 of the Georgia General Assembly states special conditions that apply to the Hope Scholarship. Only for the dependents of military personnel who are stationed in Georgia and on active duty will the residency requirement be waived. This does not apply to the dependents of Army Civil Service employees nor contractor dependents.
Q2. Can military dependents go to any school where the county touches Fort Benning?
A2. Families that live on Ft. Benning are assigned to either Spencer High School or Chattahoochee County High School based on where they reside. However, any student can apply to any of the magnet programs in Muscogee County School District and if they are accepted, transportation will be provided and there will not be a tuition fee. Also, Russell County High School in Alabama serves students living on Ft. Benning. For elementary/middle grade school, if living on the post, but prefer to go to Muscogee County school, there will be a tuition charge.
Q3. Isn’t there an exemption of courses that apply to military students?
A3. The Senate Bill 114 relates to elementary and secondary education. It provides for the transfer of military dependent students into a local school system with a waiver of course prerequisites and various other purposes. This legislation addressed the issues facing military students as a result of multiple moves as their parents change posts. Specifically, those issues are: transfer of records, course sequencing , graduation requirements, redundant testing, and exclusion from extra-curricular requirements.
Q4. What information must I provide to register my child in school for the first time?
A4. Parents are to present the following documents: an official birth certificate; verification of address (utility statements, rent receipt, or lease document, telephone statement, bill of sale for house or loan statement); an official copy of their social security number; must have proof of immunization; Georgia law also requires students to have eye, ear and dental examinations. Health certificates are available from physicians or from the local health department.
Q5. How many schools are located at Fort Benning?
A5. There are six elementary schools and one middle school located on Fort Benning that provide a wide variety of educational experiences for students . Each school is also committed to offering top quality programs for children living on post. Educational programs are designed to serve the unique needs of military families while remaining comparable to programs offered in Georgia schools. Special emphasis is placed upon accepting children at their current achievement levels and challenging them to progress as much as possible while they are attending the Fort Benning Schools.
Q6. How old do you have to be to start Pre-Kindergarten in Georgia/Alabama? Is Kindergarten full – day?
A6. A child must be age-eligible (four-years-old on September 1) and a Georgia resident. Acceptable proof of age must be on file the day the child begins the Pre-K Program. Alabama does not offer a Pre-K program. Both Georgia and Alabama offers Kindergarten full – day.
Q7. Is there a dress code for school?
A7. For dress code guidelines, please visit the district website. (The website links include school calendars, registration requirements, graduation curriculums/requirements, etc.)
Q8. Are there any “before and after school programs” offered?
A8. In conjunction with Child and Youth Services (CYS), the School Age Services (SAS) program offers before and after school care. You may bring your school age children to the SAS building as early as 5:30 a.m. Before and/or after school care for children in grades K – 5 attending schools on Fort Benning. Students are given a light breakfast at the SAS and transported by SAS staff to school or can eat breakfast at school. After school SAS staff picks up the students and transports them to the SAS where they are provided with a snack as well as “Power Hour”. Power Hour provides students time to complete the day’s homework assignments with assistance from the staff. School age students may stay at SAS as late as 6:00 p.m. Students must be registered with CYS to take advantage of the before and after school programs. SAS is located at building 7, Patch Hall. http://www.benningmwr.com/
Q9. Where can I find more information about home schooling my child in Georgia and Alabama?
A9. If you live in Georgia you may want to visit the www.homeschoolfoundation.org or http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/GA/default.asp
If you live in Alabama you may want to visit the www.homeschoolfoundation .org or http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/AL/deault.asp
Q10. Who should I call if I have a question?
A10. Questions about procedures or activities at a school are best answered by calling the school. Telephone numbers for all schools, departments, and administrative offices are listed in “Contact Us” on the school’s website. For Fort Benning schools, you can also call the School Liaison Officer for additional questions at 706-545-3062.