The Parent Guide for Transition to the Non DoD Schools Program Transition to the Non DoD Schools Program, effective SY 2019/20

The purpose of this guide is to support parents and guardians as they transition from a DoDEA school to the Non DoD Schools Program (NDSP) in Seoul, Korea. This guide includes the following: Timeline, School Information, Helpful Resources, and Contact information.

For additional information, please visit the NDSP website below. https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/index.cfm THE PARENT GUIDE FOR TRANSITION TO THE NON DOD SCHOOLS PROGRAM

Table of Contents CONTACT INFORMATION ...... 3 HELPFUL RESOURCES ...... 3 FIRST STEPS FOR TRANSITIONING TO THE NON DOD SCHOOLS PROGRAM ...... 4 KEY DATES TO REMEMBER...... 5 EDUCATIONAL OPTIONS ...... 6 SCHOOLS AND TYPES OF PROGRAMMING IN THE SEOUL AREA ...... 7 CHOOSING AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ...... 8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ...... 9

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Contact Information

PERSONNEL CONTACT INFORMATION

EDUCATION SUPPORT + 81.98.953.5788 DSN 315-644-5788 [email protected] [email protected] RESOURCE SUPPORT +1 571-372-0591 DSN 312-372-0591 [email protected]

POLICY AND ELIGIBILITY SUPPORT +1 571-372-0591 DSN 312-372-0591 [email protected]

SCHOOL LIAISON Jamie Williams Local: 0503.325.3176, DSN:(315) 725-3176 Email: [email protected]

Helpful Resources

Resource URL

NDSP WEBSITE https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/index.cfm

NDSP REGISTRATION https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/generalInformation/eligibility/index.cfm

NDSP ORIENTATION https://content.dodea.edu/teach_learn/partnership/ndsp/ndsp_orientation/index.html

EDUCATION https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/education.asp?PostCode=10283&EffectiveDate=20190106 ALLOWANCE

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/upload/choosinginternationalschools.pdf CHOOSING A SCHOOL

SEOUL AREA SCHOOLS https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/seoul

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FIRST Steps for Transitioning to the Non DoD Schools Program

FAMILARIZE yourself with the program parameters.

Understand the Education Allowance. It is established by the Department of State and sets the maximum allowable for the location. The allowance as of Nov 2018:

 Private School Option: K-5 $28,250 | 6 -8 $30,400 | 9-12 $34,700  Home School Option K-8 $10,500 | 9-12 $21,500  Understand the allowable and non-allowable expenses. Examples of non-allowable expenses (even if included in the school’s tuition): uniforms, meals, sports, laptops and overnight field trips.  The full list can be found at: https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/generalInformation/expenses/index.cfm

INQUIRE about your eligibility for the Non DoD Schools Program.

Register with the Non DoD Schools Program to validate your eligibility. https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/generalInformation/eligibility/index.cfm

RESEARCH your educational options.

Understand the educational options: private school, home school or boarding school (6-12 only).

If a private school option is selected, then begin researching schools in the Seoul Area. For additional information, visit https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/seoul.

SHAPE your mindset about how International schools differ.

For guidance on school selection: https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/upload/choosinginternationalschools.pdf

TALK with appropriate NDSP team member.

If you have questions or need to coordinate special education services prior to making a decision, talk with the appropriate NDSP team member.

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Key Dates To Remember DECEMBER

1. Become familiar with the NDSP by accessing the NDSP website and the NDSP orientation. Be sure to visit the Resources listed above. 2. Register for the Non DoD Schools Program. a. Select the URL below to access the Step-by-Step Registration Checklist. http://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/upload/Step_by_Step_Registration_Checklist.pdf 3. Become familiar with the admissions requirements for schools in the Seoul area. 4. Begin coordinating with NDSP Education Specialists if student has educational needs.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

1. Visit schools/meet with school staff. 2. NDSP Site Visit and Parent Meeting at Seoul American Middle/High School. 3. Attend school fairs and/or open house. a. See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in this guide. 4. Register with the NDSP if not already completed.

MARCH - MAY

1. Parent One-on-One Calls (as needed). 2. Continue school admissions process. 3. Follow Up Parent Meeting via VTC.

JUNE

1. Families officially become eligible for the NDSP. 2. Reimbursements can now be made for eligible out of pocket expenses. a. NOTE: The last day of school is when the official transfer occurs.

ON-GOING

1. On-Going Support with education needs, eligibility, and reimbursements.

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Educational Options You may choose the educational setting that best meets your child's needs from home school to an international/private school. You should consider an educational option that will allow your child to easily transition to the next grade. It is advised that you also consider your child’s transition to your next location. Note: The NDSP is only authorized to provide funding for students who are in the equivalent of Kindergarten (not pre-kindergarten).

OPTION DESCRIPTION

Eligibility for the NDSP allows parents the option to homeschool. If you are thinking of homeschooling your child, there are many choices. You can elect to work with one complete HOME SCHOOL curriculum or you may choose to blend a variety of curricula to meet your child's needs. When

registering for the NDSP, it is required that you complete a Home Study/Private Instruction Education Plan.

Please visit the NDSP website for more details about expenses that are authorized and to learn more about the education plan.

“Boarding school" is defined as a school providing residence halls on campus and meals in BOARDING SCHOOL addition to an education. Boarding school is an authorized option for students in grades 6-12 only and only when the school is outside of the commuting distance of the duty station. You

may choose to send your child to boarding school in a country different from your post location or in the U.S.

Please visit the NDSP website for more details about expenses that are authorized and to learn more about the boarding school option.

INTERNATIONAL Please refer to the following list of schools offering instruction in English within reasonable SCHOOLS distance to Yongsan. This is not an exhaustive list of schools. The NDSP does not endorse schools, but rather provides this list to support your selection of the best school for your child.

In addition to the school list below, please visit the website below. https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/seoul

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Schools and Types of Programming in the Seoul Area

School Name Type of Grade Levels (alphabetical) Programming Elementary Middle High

Asia Pacific International School U.S. X X X Website: http://www.apis.seoul.kr/main/

British Education Korea British X X Website: http://blogs.bek.co.kr/openhouse2018/

Dulwich College Seoul British X X Website: https://seoul.dulwich.org/

Dwight School-Seoul I.B. X X X Website: https://www.dwight.or.kr/

Korea International School: Pangyo Campus U.S. X X X Website: http://www.kis.or.kr

Korea International School: Seoul Campus U.S. X Website: http://www.kisseoul.org

Korea Kent School U.S. X X X Website: http://kkfs.org/xe/

Korean Foreign School I.B. X X X Website: http://koreaforeign.org/

Seoul Foreign School I.B. and X X X Website: https://www.seoulforeign.org/ British

Seoul International School U.S. X X X Website: https://siskorea.org/

Seoul Scholars International Gifted X Website: http://ssicampus.net/en/

Yongsan International School (YIS) U.S. X X X Website: https://www.yisseoul.org/

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Choosing an International School The following questions are derived from a comprehensive list of questions at the website below. https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/upload/choosinginternationalschools.pdf This list is designed to help you make an informed decision about the right school for your child.

1. EDUCATION ALLOWANCE: Be sure to understand the allowance for the Seoul area. The allowance is reviewed annually and represents the maximum that maybe paid for allowable expenses. As of November 2018, the allowance is.

Private School Option (“At Post”) K-5 $28,250 | 6 -8 $30,400 | 9-12 $34,700

Home School Option K-8 $10,500 | 9-12 $21,500

2. FEES: Be sure to understand the fees, especially as it relates to items not authorized through the Non DoD Schools Program. This is NOT an exhaustive list, refer to the website below. http://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/generalInformation/expenses/index.cfm a. Uniforms b. Lunch Fees (even if the school bundles it into the tuition) c. Overnight field trips (whether or not the school mandates them) d. Fees for extra-curricular activities (sports teams, dance, clubs, etc.) e. Technology when ownership will be the family (laptops)

3. STUDENT/TEACHER INTERACTIONS: This will require a school visit to best assess this question. a. How does the teacher interact with students? b. How do students interact with one another?

4. CURRICULUM: Understand what curriculum is utilized and how it will align with what your child already knows. a. It is important to carefully understand how your child will transition from a DoDEA Curriculum into an International school. b. How different will the curriculum be? How similar? c. Will your child need extra support to transition smoothly?

5. TRANSPORTATION: Understand how transportation will operate. a. Does the school provide transportation? b. If so, where and when will the bus/van pick up?

6. SAFETY AND COMMUNITY: Understand how safety is handled within the school and the culture within the school. a. How does the school ensure the safety of their students? b. Is there an opportunity for parents to engage? What security precautions is the school taking?

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1 When can a parent register in the NDSP?

. The window for registration is open. Therefore, you should register as soon as possible. . Do not begin application process with schools until you have verified your eligibility by registering with

the NDSP.

When will parents in Seoul be able to seek reimbursement for out of pocket fees (i.e. homeschool 2 materials, registration fees, etc.)?

. After Seoul American ES and Seoul American MS/HS officially close.

3 What is an Education Allowance?

. The term used to describe the financial and other support to assist in defraying the costs of educating eligible DoD dependents in non-DoD schools when stationed in overseas locations where DoD schools are not reasonably available. . The allowance is established by the Department of State and is reviewed annually and denotes the maximum that can be spent; but does not imply that all costs will be covered.

. The allowance for Seoul can be found at https://aoprals.state.gov/Web920/education.asp?PostCode=10283&EffectiveDate=20190106 . Home School education allowance is $10,500 for K-8; $21,500 for 9-12th. . There is a separate allowance for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

4 What are Non Allowable Expenses?

. Fees that we are unable to pay due to fiscal laws such as student meals, uniforms, field trips, sporting activities, laptops, or refundable deposits.

5 Who arranges transportation to the Non DoD School?

. The parent and the school coordinate and agree upon transportation. . The education allowance generally covers the cost of tuition and transportation.

6 What happens if you need to change schools after your child has attended an International school?

. Request a change of school, but be aware that one time fees can only be paid once per tour.

Seoul Transition to the Non DoD Schools Program: SY 2019/20 Page 9 The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although DoDEA may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this document.

Responsible Office Education Partnership and Resources Non DoD Schools Program Department of Defense Education Activity 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 Comm Tel: +1 (571) 372-0591 DSN: 372-0591 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.dodea.edu/nonDoD/index.cfm DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION ACTIVITY