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About School Liaison

School Liaison Program – NAWS China Lake

The School Liaison Program (SLP) provides support for military-connected students and their families by offering guidance, resources, and school navigation assistance for grades PreK–12. As part of Navy Child & Youth Programs, the School Liaison serves as the primary connection between installation leadership, local school districts, and military families to promote academic continuity and smooth transitions during PCS moves.

Who the School Liaison Supports

Category Description
Military Families Active Duty, National Guard, Reserve, and dependents living on or off installation
DoD Civilians DoD employees and their dependents within the approved catchment area
Gold Star Spouses Surviving spouses of service members who died from a combat-related incident
In Loco Parentis Adults acting in place of a parent for eligible PreK–12 military children

How the School Liaison Can Help

Service Area Support Provided
Enrollment Guidance Information on school options, boundaries, and registration requirements
School Transfers Assistance with inbound and outbound PCS-related transitions
Special Education Support navigating the special education process and available resources
College Readiness Resources for post-secondary planning and preparation
Community Connections Partnerships, outreach, and referrals to on- and off-base agencies

Why the School Liaison Program Matters

Challenge Impact on Military Families
Frequent Relocation Families move every 2.9 years on average
Multiple Schools Students may attend up to nine schools before graduation
Deployment Stress Deployments can increase stress for students and families

Core Services

Service Description
School Transition Services Support during PCS moves to help “level the playing field” for military students
Deployment Support Resources for educators and families during deployment cycles
Command & School Communication Connection between installation leadership, schools, and community partners
Home School Support Information on local policies, legislation, and available resources
Partnerships in Education (PIE) Volunteer networks supporting youth and school communities
Post-Secondary Preparation Access to college and career readiness resources
Special Needs Navigation Referrals and assistance with EFMP and local education agency processes

Events

The School Liaison Program partners with local schools, installation leadership, and community organizations to support the academic success and well-being of military-connected students. Families can access information on upcoming events, educational resources, and school-related programs throughout the year. For details on current activities, community partnerships, and new opportunities, please contact the NAWS China Lake School Liaison.

Many updates, event announcements, and shared resources can also be found on the program’s official Facebook page.

• NAWSCL School Liaison

• Navy Life China Lake (FFR & MWR)

• Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake

• Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division

FAQ

The School Liaison Program at NAWS China Lake provides guidance, resources, and school navigation support for military-connected families. Below are answers to common questions about school transitions, enrollment, special education, and available services.

What is a School Liaison and how can they help me?

Overview School Liaisons provide educational support for military families, offering information about local schools, district policies, and available resources.
How They Help • Provide school and district information based on your residence
• Connect you with a School Liaison at your next duty station
• Offer deployment-related education support
• Serve as the link between commands, schools, and families
• Support the Partnership in Education (PIE) program
• Assist with navigating special education processes
• Provide resources for homeschooling and post-secondary planning

How do I choose a school?

Support Provided While School Liaisons cannot recommend specific schools, they can help you research districts, understand boundaries, and identify which schools you may be mapped to once you have a residence.
What You Can Expect • District overviews
• Boundary and zoning information
• Guidance on comparing school options
• Support for families relocating within NRSW

What is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

About ESSA ESSA, signed in 2015, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act and outlines federal education policy for K–12 schools.
Key Highlights • Protects disadvantaged and high-need students
• Requires high academic standards
• Ensures annual statewide assessments
• Supports local, evidence-based innovations
• Expands access to high-quality preschool
• Maintains accountability for low-performing schools
More Information Visit: https://www.ed.gov/ESSA

What are the health and immunization requirements?

State Requirements California schools must verify immunization records for all new TK–12 students. Most students must be fully vaccinated to attend public or private school.
Key Notes • SB 277 (2016) removed personal and religious exemptions
• Grades 7–12 require at least one Tdap dose
• Districts may have additional requirements
More Information California Dept. of Education: www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/cefimmunization.asp

What are the school registration procedures?

Steps to Register • Notify the district and school of your arrival
• Complete registration forms (online options may be available)
• Provide birth certificate and immunization records
• Provide proof of residency or housing wait-list documentation
• Submit IEP/504 documents during registration
Helpful Tip Use the “Checklist for School Moves” to ensure you hand-carry all required documents.

What if I’m on a housing wait-list or in temporary housing?

What To Do Request a letter from the housing office confirming your wait-list status and estimated timeline. Most schools accept this for registration.
Need Help? Contact your School Liaison if you encounter issues or have questions.

What is the Interstate Compact?

Purpose The Interstate Compact ensures military children receive consistent educational support and are not penalized during transitions.
More Information Visit: www.mic3.net

What options are available for before and after school care?

Where to Start Ask your school or district about on-site programs. If none are available, they may recommend community options.
Installation Options Visit www.militarychildcare.com for on-base programs and sign-ups.
Need Assistance? Your School Liaison can help you navigate available options.

What if I’m moving with a child with special needs?

School Support The School Liaison can help you understand district processes and available services.
EFMP Support Active Duty families should contact the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) for enrollment and resources.
NAWS China Lake EFMP: 760-939-4545

Can School Liaisons advocate in an IEP/504 meeting?

Advocacy Role School Liaisons cannot advocate or attend meetings on your behalf. They provide information, resources, and referrals.
How They Support • Help you understand processes
• Connect you with district contacts
• Provide community resources for additional guidance

Resources

The following resources support military-connected students and families with school transitions, enrollment, academic success, and access to community and military programs. These curated links provide reliable information for navigating education in California and within the military community.

Education & Enrollment

California Department of Education Statewide information on standards, ESSA, curriculum, and district policies.
California Schools Dashboard Performance data for districts and schools, including test scores and graduation rates.
MIC3 Interstate Compact Guidance on PCS-related school transitions for military families.

Military Family Support

Military OneSource Installation information, community resources, relocation tools, and family support services.
EFMP ROC Central access point for resources and consultations for families with special needs.
Navy EFMP Enrollment and support for families with medical, educational, or developmental needs.
Fleet & Family Support Center Programs supporting readiness, resilience, and family well-being.

Academic Support & Tutoring

Tutor.com Free online tutoring and homework help for eligible military families.
Navy MWR Digital Library Online academic, research, and recreational resources for military families.

Child & Youth Programs

MilitaryChildCare.com Centralized sign-up system for on-base child care programs.
Anchored4Life Transition and resiliency resources for students (available at select local schools).
MCEC Programs and training supporting military-connected students, families, and educators.

Schools

Private & Parochial Schools

Families in the Ridgecrest and China Lake area have access to several private and parochial school options. These schools operate independently from public school districts and may offer faith-based or specialized instructional approaches.


College & Career Planning

The School Liaison can assist high school students and families with college applications, financial aid, scholarships, Veterans’ education benefits, and career exploration. The following resources support planning for life after graduation.


Recruiting, Academies & ROTC

Students interested in military service, ROTC programs, or federal service academies can explore the following resources.

Youth Sponsorship

Youth Sponsorship (grades 3–12) helps military children adjust to a new duty station by connecting them with trained peer sponsors who offer friendship, school guidance, and support during the transition to NAWS China Lake. Sponsors help incoming students learn about local schools, activities, and youth programs so they can feel confident and connected from the start.

If you would like your child to be matched with a youth sponsor, please complete the form below. A School Liaison or Youth Center Manager will follow up once your request is received.

For Youth Sponsorship through School Age Care or Youth Programs, participants must be enrolled or registered users.

Click here to get started.

Relocating to the Southwest?

Moves can be stressful. We’ve gathered some important information for you to ease the transition.

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