Selecting a School - Non-DoD Schools Program Americas

Female teacher helping female student

Mexican dance.

What are Base Schools?

In each of the Americas locations, the U.S. Depart ment of State has identified a base school. These schools provide programs of education that are most in line with U.S. curriculum standards.

To learn more about the base schools in your location, go to www.state.gov/www/about_state/schools/

Local Schools

Although base schools have been identified to assist parents in selecting a school with an educational curriculum most similar to that offered in a U.S. public school, parents have the freedom to choose any school they feel most appropriately fits their child’s educational needs. However, authorized funding limits are established based on the rates charged at the base school.

Local private schools, in addition to the base school, are one option for parents. A school visit is the best way to learn if a particular school is right for your child. Make an appointment to visit the campus or contact your local NDSP liaison for additional informtation on the local non-DoD schools in the area.

Schools "Away from Post" (Boarding/Dormitory Schools)

In certain location the Office of Overseas Schools has identified the local education options to be inadequate.  In these situations the Office of Allowances has authorized and "Away from Post" educational allowance for eligible dependents.  This authorization affords sponsors the option of selecting a school away from post (i.e. a school with boarding/domitory facilities).

If schools for grades 9-12 in your location have been deemed “inadequate” by the Office of Overseas Schools and a parent wishes to exercise their option of away from post schooling for their dependent(s), please contact the NDSP Program Manager for more information.

 

Home-Based Educational Programs

As an alternative to the base or local schools, parents may instead choosea home-based educational program for their child. Parents are urged to research a variety of home study curricula to find the most appropriate for their child’s needs.

When choosing a home schooling curriculum you will want to ask the following questions:

  • Is the program a recognized home study/private instruction program?
  • How will I track my child’s progress to ensure he/she will be able to reintergrate into a U.S. public school upon our return to the States?
  • Will I be able to utilize local school facilities for for education-related curriculum activities or participation in extracurricular teams?
What If My Child Has Special Needs?

Extra attention should be given to choosing not only a duty location, but a non-DoD school for your child when special needs have been identified. Questions should be asked regarding the special needs services
offered at any school in which you are considering enrolling your child.

Immediately upon your arrival to your duty location you should inform your local NDSP liaison of the needs of your child. Copies of their previous assessments and evaluation, in addition to their Individual Education Plan (IEP) from their previously attended school should be submitted with the application for
enrollment for the Non-DoD Schools Program (NDSP).

Once a child has been identified as requiring special education sevices, a representative from DDESS will contact you to assist with creating new IEP for your child and to ensure that their educational plan will be
valid for the coming school year and upon transfer back to a U.S. school.

Supplemental Instruction Services

Should a school not offer certain programs or courses equivilant to those offered in a U.S. public school, an additional allowance may be granted for supplemental instruction on a case-by-case basis. These services may include, but are not limited to foregin language courses, English as a second
language courses and some remedial tutoring (if evidence of failure is provided).