DoD Instruction 1342.8 implemented the Domestic Dependent Elementary & Secondary Schools (DDESS) and also established the eligibility criteria for attendance in the DDESS system, which are: the child must be the school-aged dependent child of the active duty member assigned to the installation and living in permanent quarters aboard their installation. DDESS student eligibility rules are mainly statutory and not subject to waiver or requests for "exception to policy" by the DoDEA/DDESS Director or District Superintendent.

Dependent children who live with their military sponsor in designated family housing at Camp Lejeune, Midway Park, Tarawa Terrace, and the Marine Corps Air Station are eligible to attend the Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools.

Military sponsors on the active waiting list to receive family housing within 90 school days may request a 90-Day Waiver from the Family Housing Office in Bldg TT43 at Tarawa Terrace in order to enroll their child(ren) in the school system. Transportation for such children is the responsility of the parent. The waiver cannot be extended if family housing on the installation is not available and occupied on or before the expiration of the 90-day Waiver. The 90-Day Waiver also provides that should the member decline offered housing or remove themselves from the active waiting list, the child(ren) are no longer eligible to attend and must be withdrawn.

For initial enrollment of any child in any grade, the following documents must be presented:

• official certified birth certificate
• immunization record
• sponsor's PCS orders
• Family Housing voucher.

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  STEPPARENT REQUIREMENTS:
  Stepchildren or non-biological dependents of an active duty member must be confirmed as a legal dependent by presenting the following documentation:

1. Sponsor's DDForm 1746 - Application for Assignment to Housing indicating all approved permanent residents of the household, countersigned/stamped by the Family Housing Officer
2. Housing Assignment Voucher showing Quarters Assignment, signed by Family Housing Representative; or completed Lease Agreement signed by AMCC representative.
3. Legal documents showing that the member's spouse has legal primary/physical custody of the child (this may be a separate custoday agreement or part of a divorce decree - we only need to see information relating to custody). Only if biological parents were unmarried, and/or no custody documents exist, the biological parent with primary custody may complete a Statement of Fact (available at each school) and submit in lieu of court documents.
4. The original certified birth certificate (as issued by the department of vital statistics of the state of birth) verifying parentage.

All documents above must be presented to the Registrar at each school to request enrollment authorization. Enrollment may not occur until authorization is granted.

For continued enrollment, every child is re-registered before the end of the school year utilizing a send-home registration packet.

For information about which school(s) your child(ren) will attend, visit our School Zoning Information page, or contact the Community Superintendent's Office at 910-451-2461 for the District Registrar. School zones are likely to change at the end of each school year.

If you are new to Camp Lejeune, details on our military installation, the surrounding area, and the Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools are listed on our PCS Info page.

Age Requirements for Beginning Preschool

Children four years old on or before September 1 are eligible to enroll in the half-day preschool program. Delalio Elementary, Tarawa Terrace I Primary School, and Johnson Primary School have a preschool program. Preschoolers who live in Tarawa Terrace or Midway Park housing will attend preschool at Tarawa Terrace I Primary School. Preschoolers who live aboard mainside will attend Johnson Primary School. Age verification by birth certificate is required for enrollment in the Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools, regardless of grade level.

In addition, preschool services are provided to children three or four years of age who have been identified with delays in one or more developmental areas. For further information on our preschool special eduation program, visit our Special Education page under Curriculum.

Age Requirements for Beginning Kindergarten

Children five years old on or before September 1st are eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Age verification by birth certificate is required for enrollment in the North Carolina District Schools, regardless of grade level.

Please visit our main Curriculum page for details on the instructional program for preschool and kindergarten.

Request for Out of District Placement

Sponsor/Parent Request for Out of District form (Click for form) is to be used if a parent wants their legally enrolled student to attend a school other than the one designated for their housing assignment.

• Out of District requests are considered based on the needs of the student (Special Education or a serious health condition for example).
• Secondary consideration is given to the ENROLLMENT at both the districted and requested schools in the affected grade level. Requests will not even be reviewed until late July or early August, when the majority of school enrollments are complete and schools begin to make classroom assignments. A letter will be generated and mailed to the parent with a copy to both schools.
• Only one request per family, no matter how many students are affected.
• Parent/Sponsor completes the top portion and submits to the school of enrollment.
• The initiating school fills in the second part and sends a copy to the affected school/s.
• Under the ENDORSEMENT, EACH SCHOOL affected should enter their enrollment number for the affected grade/s and anticipated PTR (pupil:teacher ratio).
• Send to the Assistant Superintendent for review/determination.

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