The NSA Philadelphia SL also covers NSA Mechanicsburg.

The School Liaison can: 

• Answer questions about school enrollment options
• Connect youth with a youth sponsor to help ease the transition
• Assist with inbound/outbound school transfers
• Help you understand and navigate the special education process
• Provide resources for college readiness
• Work with Education Agencies to provide resources to support transient military students
• Assist with agency referrals and much more

School Liaison 101: An Introduction to School Liaisons

The School Liaison is the primary point of contact between the military installation, the local schools and school districts, transitioning families, and the community at large. The Navy School Liaison (SL) program helps installation and regional commanders’ work with state departments and local school districts to foster awareness of the stressors on military families brought about by frequent transitions and extended deployments. These education professionals are located on all major Navy installations and serve as linkages between all military families, to include National Guard and Reserve families, and schools. Parents, educators and community members are encouraged to contact their local School Liaison.

The Child and Youth Education Services program supports military families with seven cores services provided by the School Liaison:

1.  School Transition Services (PCS Cycle):  School Liaisons assist families with school transfers and help “level the playing field” for military children and youth.
2. Deployment Support:  School Liaisons connect educators with the military deployment support system to inform them about the cycles of deployment and the tools available to assist educators in working with military children.
3. Command, School, & Community Communications:  School Liaisons serve as subject-matter experts for installation commanders on K-12 issues, helping to connect command, school and community resources.
4. Home School Linkage and Support:  School Liaisons assist military families by gathering and sharing information on homeschooling issues, policies and legislation from local school districts. They also help leverage military Child and Youth Program resources to support these families.
5. Partnerships in Education (PIE):  PIE creates a volunteer network of resources to support installation and community members who have a vested interest in the success of all youth.
6. Post-Secondary Preparations:  School Liaisons leverage installation and school resources to provide graduating military students with access to post-secondary information and opportunities.
7. Special Needs System Navigation:  School Liaisons provide information about installation and community programs and services, make referrals to the Exceptional Family Member Program, and offer assistance in navigating the administrative systems within local education agencies.

Transferring into the area? Contact the School Liaison. Complete the youth sponsorship application in the download section of this page to request a youth sponsor for your child. Youth sponsors are trained youth volunteers who will share information about the area and help your child feel welcome. 

Public School Information 

NSA Philadelphia Area School Districts
School District of Philadelphia or call 215-400-4000
Bucks County or call 215-348-2940
Montgomery County or call 610-755-9400
Delaware County or call 610-938-9000
Chester County or call 484-999-0232
Burlington Township (NJ) or call 609-387-3955
Camden County (NJ) or call 609-376-3500
Mercer County (NJ) 
Gloucester County (NJ) 

For additional information, contact the School Liaison. 

** Please note, it is the policy of the state of Pennsylvania and New Jersey that where you reside (your physical address) determines the school your children will attend. School choice options are available. 

Pennsylvania allows districts to set their own enrollment policies. Contact the district where you reside, or plan to reside, to inquire if this is an option. Options may include an intradistrict transfer, where the student attends a school within their current district, or an interdistrict transfer, where the student attends a school outside of their current district of residence. 

New Jersey offers Interdistrict Public School Choice with applications starting in October and running through November. 

Charter Schools 

Pennsylvania Department of Education Charter and Cyber Schools 

New Jersey Department of Education Charter Schools 

Non-Public/Private School Information

Pennsylvania Department of Education Listing of Non-Public/Private Schools 

New Jersey Department of Education Listing of Non-Public Schools 

For additional information, contract the School Liaison. 

Home School Information

Home School Legal Defense Association

In Pennsylvania, a notarized affidavit is required to be filed with the school district office where you reside.

Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Support Group Directory
Homeschool Pennsylvania

In New Jersey, if a parent/guardian is denied enrollment or dis-enrolls their student, they will be required to inform the local board of education.  Otherwise, the New Jersey Department of Education encourages parents to notify the local board of education so that questions do not arise with respect to the parent’s compliance with the compulsory education law.

New Jersey Home Schoolers Association
New Jersey Home School Groups

K-12 Special Needs

If your child has special needs, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 is needed for special education services.  Contact the School Liaison prior to arrival.  Guidance for transfer of records and connection with proper school personnel can be facilitated to make the transition as smooth as possible. 

Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Education

New Jersey Office of Special Education
Exceptional Family Member Program

Special Ed Connection
A free web-based resource available to Navy families, provides resources and tools that enable families to better understand special education requirements and available services.
Please contact your local School Liaison for login access.

Military OneSource Special Needs assists with special education, financial planning, childcare, and more.
Also see EFMP and Me.  

Specialized Training for Military Parents (STOMP)

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Liaisons are located at Fleet and Family Support Centers and provide information and referral to help EFM families identify and access appropriate military, national and community resources. They assist in the navigation of EFMP related programs and systems and are responsible for:

• Provision of information, referral and systems navigation to special needs families
• Linking families with available military, national and local community resources
• Non-medical case management
• Development and maintenance of Individualized Service Plans (ISP)
• Partner with Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Coordinators to provide information, education and marketing

Check out the Navy's Exceptional Family Member Program App. 

Youth Sponsorship

The Youth Sponsorship program is designed to assist young people in making the transition from one installation to another successfully. It is our goal to help incoming youth adjust and get connected with a youth sponsor at the installation. Youth Sponsors will provide information about area schools, attractions and the surrounding community. This program is created by and for youth with youth involvement in every aspect of the program.  To apply for a youth sponsor please complete the request form and email it to your School Liaison.

How does the Youth Sponsorship Program help our military youth? Watch this - Youth Sponsorship Program: Helping Students Through Transitions

INSTALLATION CHILD AND YOUTH PROGRAMS (CYP)

NSA Philadelphia Child Development Center (CDC)
CDC Child and Youth Behavorial Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC): 215-284-2912

MilitaryChildCare.com is the site to apply for childcare at the CDC. For families who cannot access military-operated care due to distance or waitlists, MilitaryChildcare.com is also the site to apply for Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) which offers childcare and fee assistances for a community provider. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What is the kindergarten age cutoff date? 
  
  Pennsylvania: Each district can determine their kindergarten age cut-off date. 
  New Jersey: A student must be five years old by October 1 in order to have a statutory right to enrollment where a kindergarten program is offered by a public school. 
   
• Do I have to live in the zone where the school is located to attend? 
  
  The short answer is yes, however, utilizing an open enrollment policy, your child may attend a school other than their "zoned" school. (https://schoolchoiceweek.com/what-is-school-choice/) 
   
• Do the local schools have talented and gifted programs? Many local schools have gifted and talented programs. 
  
  Pennsylvania Department of Education: Gifted Education
  New Jersey Gifted and Talented 
  New Jersey Association of Gifted Children
  National Association of Gifted Children
  
   
• Is there school choice or other school options in the area? School choice varies for each school district. 
  
  Pennsylvania offers K-12 students and their families several types of school choice, including two private school choice programs, charter schools, magnet schools, homeschooling, and interdistrict public school choice via an open enrollment policy. Note: This site also contains a list of scholarships for private schools. 
  New Jersey's Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll K-12th grade students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their parents. There are 119 participating Choice Districts in the the 2024-2025 school year. 
   
• What schedule does the local high school follow…traditional, block, A/B Block…? School schedules vary depending on the district. Visit the school district website for their specific school schedule.

Resources

Military OneSource

Military Installations provides contact information for services on all installations throughout the world.

School Quest serves as a virtual hub where middle and high school parents and students can find helpful information, tools, and resources centralized on a single platform to prepare military-connected children for the frequent school moves and other unique stressors of a military lifestyle.

DoD School Liaisons Reach out to the School Liaison at your next installation for K-12 support.  If you are not moving to an installation/area with a School Liaison, reach out to a School Liaison in the state.

Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) addresses education transition issues such as enrollment, placement & attendance, eligibility (student enrollment and extracurricular participation), and graduation.

Anchored for Life (A4L) for Youth: Contact the School Liaison for your Anchored for Life Kit.  The club provides opportunities for peers to enhance social skills, learn leadership skills, build character, improve self-esteem, and integrate into their community. Youth will learn these change and resiliency skills using the Club features.  Check out the “View Locations PDF” to see locations.  There are locations in New Jersey.  The site also offers an E-Learning Series.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Boys and Girls Clubs of America provides children of National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty families who do not live near or have access to a military Youth Center free annual membership (additional fees may apply) to their local Boys & Girls Club.

Thrive focuses on evidence-informed practices and strategies that help to nurture the parent-child relationship and foster positive child development outcomes.  

Tutor.com offers no-cost online one-to-one tutoring and homework help 24/7 for U.S. military & their families.  SAT/ACT prep is included.    

DoD MWR Digital Libraries: Children’s Corner boasts numerous digital library resources for children ages 3 to teen.

Khan Academy covers a wide variety of topics from pre-K to college.

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) offers programs, initiatives and resources to both military families and educators.

National Military Family Association advocates for military families and directly supports military families through Operation Purple® Camps and military spouse scholarships.

Home Schooling Legal Defense Association

For additional information contact the School Liaison at 717-713-6607.