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School Liaison

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About

The School Liaison serves as the connection between parents, educators, and the command to ensure military-connected students experience a smooth transition between schools. Whether you’re new to the area or navigating a PCS move, the School Liaison is here to support your family every step of the way.

Quick Facts

  • School Liaison: John McKenzie
  • Email: NSAMSLO@nps.edu or John.Mckenzie@nps.edu
  • Who We Support: Military-connected students and families (K–12)
  • Key Services: PCS transition support, deployment support, EFMP navigation, homeschool resources, post-secondary guidance
  • Local Schools: Information on public, private, charter, and homeschool options
  • Newsletter: Academic Anchor (bimonthly)


Why the School Liaison Matters

Military families move frequently—on average every 2.9 years—and students may attend multiple schools before graduation. Deployments and transitions can add additional stress. The School Liaison helps families navigate these challenges by providing school information, transition support, and connections to community resources.

Core Services at a Glance

Service What It Covers
School Transition Support Assistance with PCS moves, enrollment, records transfer, and school placement.
Deployment Support Resources for educators and families to understand deployment cycles and support student well-being.
Command, School & Community Communications Coordination between installation leadership, schools, and community partners on K–12 issues.
Homeschool Support Information on local policies, district requirements, and homeschool resources.
Partnerships in Education (PIE) Volunteer opportunities that support youth success across the community.
Post-Secondary Preparation Guidance on college, career, and scholarship resources for military students.
Special Needs System Navigation Support with EFMP referrals and navigating local education agency processes.

Academic Anchor

Academic Anchor is Navy Region Southwest’s bimonthly School Liaison newsletter. It highlights educational topics affecting military children and shares upcoming events and resources across the region.

FAQ

What does the School Liaison do?

The School Liaison connects parents, schools, and the command to support smooth transitions for military-connected students. They assist with school options, inbound and outbound transfers, special education navigation, college readiness, deployment support, and community resources.

How do I choose a school in Monterey?

School placement is based on where you live. Families in La Mesa Village and Fort Ord Village are zoned for MPUSD. Carmel and Pacific Grove require physical proof of residency and do not accept transfers. The School Liaison can help you research public, private, charter, and homeschool options.

What is ESSA?

The Every Student Succeeds Act governs standardized testing, accountability, and protections for students with disabilities, homeless students, foster youth, and military-connected students.

What health and immunization records are required?

California requires immunizations, a physical exam for TK/K/1st grade, and an oral health assessment for the first year in public school. Homeless and foster youth must be enrolled immediately, even without records.

What documents do I need to register for school?

Most districts require proof of age, immunization records, a physical exam (TK/K/1st), proof of residence, and previous school records. Contact your school directly once you establish residency.

What if I’m on a housing waitlist or in temporary lodging?

You may register using military orders and a hotel receipt or temporary lease. Some districts may request a letter from housing confirming you will move in within 30 days.

What is the Interstate Compact?

The Interstate Compact ensures consistent treatment for military children transferring between states. It covers enrollment, eligibility, placement, attendance, and graduation.

What before and after school care options are available?

Families can request care through MilitaryChildCare.com. Local options include La Mesa CDC, Ord CDC, and the Tech Connection/Teen & Youth Center.

What if my child has special needs?

The School Liaison can help you understand district processes, and EFMP can support enrollment and services for qualifying family members.

Can the School Liaison advocate in my child’s IEP?

No. School Liaisons cannot advocate in IEP meetings, but they can provide resources, guidance, and referrals to help you navigate the process.

Resources

These curated resources support military-connected students with tutoring, school transitions, curriculum information, special education navigation, and post-secondary planning.

Tutoring & Academic Support

School Information & Curriculum

Transition Support

Special Education Navigation

Post-Secondary Planning

Schools

Schools in Monterey County

Monterey County includes 24 school districts and 134 schools registered with the Monterey County Office of Education. School placement is based on a family’s home address.

Families living in military housing areas—La Mesa Village and the Ord Military Community—are zoned for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District (MPUSD).

MPUSD Registration

MPUSD provides full-day kindergarten for children who turn five by September 1. Children who turn five between September 2 and March 1 qualify for MPUSD’s free, full-day Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Registration for TK and Kindergarten follows the district’s standard enrollment process.

School Options in the Monterey Peninsula

  • Private Schools in the Monterey Peninsula
  • Charter Schools in the Monterey Peninsula
  • Schools Serving Military Housing Areas
  • Preschools in the Monterey Peninsula

The December 2023 issue of Monterey Bay Parent Magazine includes a comprehensive Monterey County Preschool Guide.

For assistance with public, private, or homeschool options, contact the School Liaison at (831) 656-1008 or nsamslo@nps.edu.

Homeschooling in Monterey County

California does not have a statute dedicated exclusively to homeschooling, but families may choose from four legal options:

  1. Establish a private school in the home and file a private school affidavit with the California Department of Education.
  2. Enroll in a private school satellite program (PSP) that has filed a private school affidavit.
  3. Teach the child at home if the parent holds a valid California teaching credential.
  4. Enroll the student in a public school independent study program.

Additional information is available through the California Department of Education’s Schooling at Home resources and the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Pacific Grove Unified School District (PGUSD)

PGUSD serves K–12 students across five schools: Forest Grove Elementary, Robert Down Elementary, Pacific Grove Middle School, Pacific Grove High School, and Pacific Grove Community High School. Enrollment is based on residency within district boundaries, which include Pacific Grove city limits and parts of Pebble Beach. Families must provide proof of residence during registration.

For boundary questions, contact the PGUSD Business Office at 831-646-6517.

Carmel Unified School District (CUSD)

CUSD serves Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, and Big Sur. The district includes three elementary schools (Carmel River, Tularcitos, and Captain Cooper), Carmel Middle School, Carmel High School, and Carmel Valley High School. CUSD also offers adult education, preschool, and before/after school programs.

Enrollment requires proof of residency. Once residency is verified, families may begin the registration process.

Youth Sponsorship

Did you know there are support groups available for your children? Transitioning from place to place can be stressful and confusing for military children. Thankfully there is support available for your children. Anchored4Life is a peer-to-peer club to connect youth while building transition and resiliency skills. The club provides opportunities for peers to enhance social skills, learn leadership skills, build character, improve self-esteem, and integrate into their community.

Monte Vista School (K-8) and Marshall Elementary host Anchored4Life Programs. The Anchored4Life program provides transition and resiliency resources and skills to counselors, teachers, parents, and youth. Monterey High School and La Mesa School (K-8) are currently on the waitlist for Anchored4Life with definite plans to implement the program as soon as possible.

Youth Sponsorship at the Tech Connection (grades 3-12) provides access to positive peer groups and social activities, helping military children feel connected at their new duty station. If interested in connecting your child with a local youth sponsor, complete the fields below. Once received, you will be contacted by your School Liaison or Youth Center Manager.

For Youth Sponsorship with School Age Care or Youth Programs, participants must be enrolled or a registered user.

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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