Education

DoD SCHOOLS
The Department of Defense Education Activity operates three elementary schools on Fort Stewart. Each school has exceptional children programs. To be eligible to attend, parents must reside in family housing on the military installation. The three on-post kindergarten through 6th grade schools are Brittin Elementary, Diamond Elementary and Keesler Elementary.

All schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and offer a wide range of instructional and support services. There are no middle or high schools on the installation.

Children in grades 7-12 attend school in the local community. Students living on Fort Stewart attend Liberty County middle and high schools in Hinesville. Students living off-post attend a school in their county of residence. Bus transportation is provided depending on distance lived from school. Breakfast and lunch is offered on a free, reduced, or full priced fee schedule. Before and after school care is provided by School Age Services, not at the individual school. A variety of sports and extracurricular activities are provided through Child, Youth and School Services.

About 1,400 children are enrolled in the Fort Stewart Schools. The average student to teacher ratio is 13 students to one teacher.

Students living on Hunter Army Airfield attend Savannah/Chatam County schools are there are no on-post schools on Hunter. Hunter students living off-post also attend schools in the county of their residence.

LOCAL SCHOOLS
More than 11,000 children are enrolled in the Liberty County School System. The average teacher to student ratio is 15 students per teacher with some schools having more or less students per teacher. About 85% of 12th grade students receive a diploma. For those wishing to home school, check with the Home Schoolinsg Association or the School Liaison Office and the Liberty County Board of Education for specific curriculum and requirements.

The Liberty County School System has two high schools, three middle schools, and eight elementary schools. There are also three private schools and one alternative school. All are accredited by the state.

All the Liberty County public schools offer transportation for students to school based on distance lived from school. Breakfast and lunch is provided on a free, reduced or full price fee schedule. The Prime Time program offered through the YMCA provides before and after school care at their respective schools for elementary school children. Each school offers before and after school, sports and exceptional student programs. You can ask about specific programs once you register or by going to the Liberty County Schools Web Page.

Two colleges are also located in Hinesville: Savannah Tech and Brewton Parker.

Additional information about DoD and local schools is available through the base’s School Liaison Office. This office is available to assist families and children when transitioning from one school system to another by providing information on local schools, assisting parents with special education needs/issues, and providing transition support. School Liaison Officers can be reached at Fort Stewart by calling 767-6533 and at Hunter Army Airfield by calling 315-6586.

CONTINUING EDUCATION
The Army Continuing Education System (ACES) provides education assistance worldwide to benefit active duty, Guard and Reserve Soldiers, family members, government employees and retirees. Its mission is to improve the combat readiness of the total Army by planning, resorting, and implementing educational programs and services to support professional and personal development.

The continuing education program vigorously promotes lifelong learning opportunities to sharpen the competitive edge of the Army by serving as leaders in providing and managing quality self-development programs and services. A number of educational opportunities are offered at both Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. The Army Education Centers are located at the Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Education Center, Building 100 (Stewart) and Building 1290 (Hunter). The contact numbers are -767-8331 (Stewart) and -315-5667 (Hunter). You are encouraged to take advantage of the many educational opportunities listed below.

Education Counseling
Army Education Counselors are available to provide guidance and monitor progress in a variety of areas including: civilian goal setting, educational requirements, educational instruction, alternative course delivery options, funding & financial aid, college admissions, evaluations of credit and general education questions. From high school completion to doctoral level guidance, an ACES Education Counselor will assist clients in achieving their educational/career goals. Counselors can also discuss active duty tuition assistance, via the GoArmyEd portal, veteran’s education benefits and other types of financial aid.

Multi-Use Learning Facility
The Multi-use Learning Facility/Army Learning Center is a technology-based resource providing necessary training, education, and support materials for Soldiers to develop/sustain job-related and leadership skills. Programs are designed to meet unit and individual needs. Training facilitators are available to assist with a variety of academic education services including basic skills refresher training. The center was designed for quick computer reference, test preparation, e-mail and Distance Learning Course support.

GED Preparation
Georgia General Education Development preparation classes are available at no cost through Savannah Technical College Adult Education Program. Enrichment or refresher courses are also available for High School Diploma holders. Daytime and evening classes are held at the Fort Stewart Army Education Center. These classes are self paced. For program details, contact 368-7322.

ESL Courses
The English as a Second Language program is available free of charge and offers assistance with reading, writing and speaking English. This program helps family members and Soldiers transition to a new environment. Classes include instruction in basic culture, customs, money and everyday life situations. Students are grouped by varying skill levels to build confidence and independence. For more information, call 368-7322.

Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC)
SOC is a network of over a thousand colleges and universities designed for soldiers and their family members pursuing an Associate’s (SOCAD-2) or Bachelor’s (SOCAD-4) degree. SOC colleges establish flexible policies for transfer of credits limit residence requirements to 25% of total credits required, award college credit for military training/education and award college credit for standardized examinations (CLEP, DSST etc.). Army Education Counselors can assist with enrollment with a SOCAD institution.

Post-Secondary Programs

Post-secondary programs are academic, technical, and occupational courses of study leading to a credential. All military, family members, civilians and non-affiliated local residents are eligible to participate in the on-post college programs offered at the Army Education Center. These schools do not require the ACT, SAT or GRE. However, Math and English placement tests may be required. Non-affiliated civilians interested in attending our college programs are welcome.

On-Post College Programs
Central Texas College:
Fort Stewart - 876-4045/Hunter - 459-5150

Columbia College:
Fort Stewart - 877-3406/Hunter - 352-8635

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:
Hunter - 355-0644/450-0073

Savannah Technical College:
Fort Stewart - 408-2430

Webster University:
Fort Stewart - 876-8080/Hunter - 354-0033

Testing
The Army Personnel Testing program encompasses standardized tests to determine eligibility for specialized training and to support the Army’s personnel selection and classification process, which includes language proficiency testing. Some of the tests include the Test of Adult Basic Education, Armed Forces Classification Test, Defense Language Proficiency Test and the Army Flight Aptitude Selection Test. Fort Stewart and Hunter students may call 767-1830 for additional test information and procedures.

Academic Testing is provided through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support. The Education Counselor can help match these tests with students’ goals. The counselor can also schedule appointments for these tests and provide information on how to prepare for them. These tests include admissions testing (ACT and SAT), interest inventories, and credit-by-examination (CBEs). The CBEs include the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST’s) and Excelsior College Exams. Certification and licensure exams are available through Pearson Vue. 767-9569. For additional details, Fort Stewart and Hunter students may call 767-1830.

Distance Learning Testing - Distance learning courses often require that some of the tests be proctored by personnel authorized by the student’s college or university. Columbia College provides this service to students in need of a testing proctor. Columbia College also administers the CLEP and DSST’s. To make an appointment, call 767-7558 at Fort Stewart or 352-8635 at Hunter.

Troops to Teachers
Military retirees, active duty personnel who have at least six years of service, and select Reserve members with at least six years toward retirement may be eligible to participate in the program. Depending on the type of courses one is interested in teaching, different educational requirements are necessary. Financial assistance may be given, depending on the availability of funds, in the form of a $5,000 stipend or $10,000 bonus depending on the selection of the school. Check with an Education Counselor for more details.

Workforce Training & Development Program
Training and development opportunities for the Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield workforce are managed by the Installation Training & Development Specialist located in the Army Education Center, Building 100. The goal of workforce training and development is to provide a technically competent, high-performance workforce to support current and future missions.

A wide variety of programs and services are available to assist managers, supervisors, and employees with all aspects of training and development of civilian and military members of the workforce.

Advice and assistance with course and program development, planning, and evaluation are provided. Career counseling tools and resources are available to both employees and supervisors. Training and educational opportunities abound through a host of sources and delivery methods. Course catalogs and schedules may be accessed for training and development needs that span the full spectrum of skills including leadership, supervisory, legal, medical, engineering, administrative, analysis, specialty, technical, clerical, trades and crafts, as well as basic and remedial skills development. A variety of financial programs are also available to assist with meeting both personal and organizational learning objectives.  read more...

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