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 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 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.

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.

Iowa Public Schools

• Davenport Community Schools (less than 10 miles)
  1606 Brady Street Davenport
  Phone: (563) 336-5000
• Bettendorf Community Schools (less than 10 miles)
  3311 Central Avenue – Bettendorf
  Phone: (563) 359-3681
• Pleasant Valley Community Schools (less than 10 miles)
  P.O. Box 332, Pleasant Valley
  Phone: (563) 332-550
• North Scott Community Schools (12 miles)
  251 E. Iowa Street, Eldridge
  Phone: (563) 285-4819
• Durant Community Schools (25 miles)
  408 7th Street, Durant
  Phone: (563) 785-4432

Illinois Public Schools

• Moline School District (less than 10 miles)
  1619 11th Avenue, Moline
  Phone: (309) 743-1600
• East Moline School District (less than 10 miles)
  836 17^th Avenue, East Moline
  Phone: (309) 755-4533
• Hampton School District (less than 10 miles)
  205-5th Street, Hampton
  Phone: (309)-755-0693
• United Township School District (less than 10 miles)
  1275 Ave. of the Cities, East Moline
  Phone: (309) 752-1633
• Rock Island/Milan School District (less than 10 miles)
  2101 – 6th Avenue, Rock Island
  Phone: (309) 793- 5900
• Silvis School District (less than 10  miles)
  1305 5th Ave., Silvis
  Phone: (309) 792-9325
• Sherrard School District  (13 miles)
  507 3rd Street, Sherrard
  Phone: (309) 593-4075
• Rockridge School District (14 miles)
  14110 134th Ave W, Taylor Ridge
  Phone: (309) 795-1167
• Orion School District (16 miles)
  1002 11th Ave., Orion
  Phone: (309) 526-3388
• Mercer County School District (22 miles)
  402 E. Main Street, Aledo
  Phone: (309) 582-2238
• Geneseo School District (25 miles)
  209 S. College Ave., Geneseo
  Phone: (309) 945-0450
• Cambridge School District (25 miles)
  300 S West Street, Cambridge
  Phone: (309) 937-2144
• Riverdale School District (25 miles)
  9624 256th St N, Port Byron
  Phone: (309) 523-3181

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.

You may either print and fill out the form in the link above and fax it back to us at 309-782-0837 or fill out the form below.

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.

Quad Cities Special Needs Groups

Support Groups

Quad Cities Autism Center Inc.

Illinois Autism/PDD Training and Technical Assistance Project

Epilepsy Foundations

Local Agencies

Scott County Transition Advisory Board

Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency

University of Iowa Health Care Center for Disabilities and Development

Hand In Hand

Child & Adult Care

Rock Island Arsenal Child, Youth, and School Services

New Found Hope, Inc.

Arc Respite Center

Children’s Village

In Touch

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Lutheran Services in Iowa

CASI

Recreation

Challenger Baseball

Day Camps

Christian Youth Activities – Young Life Capernaum

New Kingdom Trailriders

Quad City Sled Hockey Association

The Sparkle Effect

Up With Families

Your Rights

Wrights Law

Americans with Disabilities Act

Educational Resources

Scholarships for Students with Special Needs

Illinois Board of Education

Iowa Department of Education

Scott County Transitional Advisory Board

Mississippi Bend AEA

Medical Resources

Tricare

Tricare ECHO

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.

DirectSTEP course listing 

DirectSTEP registration

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.

Iowa Homeschooling

Illinois Homeschooling

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.

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.

Here are some additional web resources to assist you with your child’s education:

Academic Resources:

Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families makes live tutors available online 24/7 to help with more than 40 core subjects and standardized test preparation.

Homework Support: Army Child Youth & School Services provides Homework Labs in before/after school programs for elementary students at the School Age Center, and for middle and high school students at the Youth Center.

Khan Academy:

A personalized learning resource for all ages Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. We tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, SAT and more.    

Support/Resilience Resources:

School Support Services include information about other programs you can use for support and resilience-related issues.

Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) are available to meet in-person on or off the military installation. The free nonmedical sessions are anonymous and may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings. Child Behavioral Specialists are located on the installation in Child, Youth and School Services programs, and in highly impacted schools located on and off the installation.

Military OneSource has access to free nonmedical counseling that’s anonymous and available online, on the phone or in person. Twelve free sessions may occur in individual, couple, family or group settings.

Ready and Resilient Workshops for youth and educators are offered through the SLO and Youth Center programs. These workshops provide educators and students with the same tools Soldiers receive through their Ready and Resilient training. As Master Resilience Trainers SLOs strive to develop a common language around resilience for educators, youth and their parents.

For information on how to attend a class contact your local SLO.

College and Career Readiness Resources:

College and career readiness includes the content knowledge, skills and habits that students must have to be successful in postsecondary education. It also includes training that leads to a sustaining career. A student who is ready for college and career can qualify for and succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing college courses without needing remedial or developmental coursework. These links have tools that will help you plan for your child’s college and career readiness:

Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) provides STEM opportunities for military connected youth. The website provides information about AEOP programs available to youth, scholarship opportunities, news, and ways to get involved.

Military.com Scholarship Finder Military.com provides a search engine to help you find money for your child’s higher education needs. Search over 1000 scholarships intended for military youth. They also have a Military Scholarship Handbook.

School Support Services Scholarship Database Listing of crowd sourced scholarships for military connected youth. Scholarships are listed in alphabetical order and provide information on deadlines and qualifications.

 Financial Aid
 

Provides a description of federal student aid programs from the U.S. Dept. of Education  and how to apply for them.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply for federally funded financial assistance for education beyond high school.

Get Ready for College - College Planning, Financial Aid

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

Non-DoD School Program (NDSP)

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. 

Email

Phone Number +1 (571)372-5863 or +1 (571)372-1897

What school will my children attend?

Garrison residents may attend the Moline, Davenport, Bettendorf, or Pleasant Valley School Districts. Bussing is provided by the Garrison to Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Wilson Middle School, and Moline High School at no charge. Bussing is provided by the Davenport School District to McKinley Elementary, Sudlow Intermediate, and Central High School at no charge. Child & Youth Services provides bussing to several schools in the Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley School Districts for Before and After School Program patrons. Off post, there are 10 school districts with 78 schools within a 10 mile radius, and 19 school districts with 125 schools within a 25 mile radius.

Can my children open-enroll into other school districts?

The state of Illinois does not allow open enrollment from one district to another. Open enrollment is permitted in the state of Iowa, but it is not always granted. It is important to choose a residence within the school district you want your children to attend.

Which school is best to attend?

Our local public school districts are excellent. Each family must decide which school is the best fit for them. The decision is best made by visiting prospective schools, researching schools via their web page, and talking to teachers, parents, students, and administrators. Since your street address designates where your child will attend school, we recommend you shop for a school before you shop for a house. Where can I find out more information about the local schools? Each school has a web page with a link to their state report card where you can research demographics, teacher-pupil ratio, graduation rates, and test scores. The majority of the military students in the Quad City Area attend the following school districts:

Illinois:

Moline http://www.molineschools.org/

Rock Island http://www.rockislandschools.org/

United Township http://uths.net/

Iowa:

Pleasant Valley http://pleasval.org/

Bettendorf http://bettendorf.k12.ia.us/

Davenport http://www.davenportschools.org/