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Tyndall AFB | School Liaison Officer
School supplies

Welcome to the Emerald Coast

Navigating school enrollment, choices, and resources for military families at Tyndall AFB.

In Lodging or Temporary Housing?

If you cannot establish a home address prior to registration, use the Tyndall Lodging address for enrollment and VPK applications:

Tyndall AFB Lodging, Building 36199, Tyndall AFB, Florida 32403

The School Liaison Program

Your School Liaison Officer (SLO) is the central point of contact for commanders, community stakeholders, military-connected families, and educators on PreK-12 education related matters. The SL assists commanders and military-connected families in meeting the challenging demands of the military lifestyle by developing and maintaining partnerships between parents, installation leadership, local schools, Department of Defense Education Activity and International Schools and the community. Your School Liaison provides outreach advocacy, partnership initiatives, supporting any matter, or concern, impacting PreK-12 total-force students anywhere in the world. 

Enrollment & School Choice

Florida Statute 1002.31 requires School Boards to adopt a policy that gives parents and students the ability to seek enrollment in a school other than their zoned school of attendance if the school has available seats. Families have the option to the school of choice. This means parents may send their student to any school in any district up to the school’s functional capacity. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation for their student to and from school. Please note if a school is at capacity then they will not be eligible for school of choice.

View Florida Statute 1002.31 →

Zoned Schools

Students living on the base are zoned for: Tyndall Academy (PreK-8th) and Rutherford High School.

Immunization Records

Tyndall Medical Group cannot transcribe shot records to Florida forms. You must utilize the Florida Health Department.

How to Transfer Records via Email:

To: baymedicalrecords@flhealth.gov

Subject: Immunization Record Transfer Request

  • Name and Date of Birth
  • Parent/Guardian Photo ID
  • Current Address and Phone Number
  • Photo/Screenshot of shot records

Physical Location: 597 West 11th St. Panama City, FL 32401

Phone: 850-872-4455

*Physicals have a 30-day grace period, but shot records are required at registration.

School Options & Academics

 

Bay Haven & North Bay Haven

Charter • K-8 & K-12

Separate schools requiring separate waitlist registrations. Military priority during lottery (Feb/Mar).

 

University Academy

Charter • Pre-K - 8th

Provides military family priority on the waitlist during lottery season (usually January).

 

Palm Bay & Rising Leaders

Charter Options

  • Palm Bay Elem: K-5
  • Palm Bay Prep: 6-12
  • Rising Leaders: K-12

Advanced High School Programs

Rutherford HS

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Bay High School

AICE Program

Mosley HS

MAPPS Program

North Bay Haven

SAIL Program

The Collegiate School – FSU

Aims to immerse students in a collegiate environment. Military priority given.

Admissions Info →

Private Schools

Step Up Grant Scholarship

Dependent children of a member of the US Armed Forces may qualify for up to $7,000+ per child to attend K-12 private schools with a Step Up for Students Scholarship.

Learn More at StepUpForStudents.org →

Full directories available at Florida School Choice.

  • Adventist Christian Academy
  • Bacot Academy Inc
  • Covenant Christian School
  • Eagle Nest Christian Academy
  • Gateway Christian Academy
  • Genesis Community School
  • God’s Glory Christian School
  • Gulf Coast School for Autism
  • Holy Nativity Episcopal School
  • Johnson’s Adult Education Center
  • Kaleidoscope School of Discovery
  • Panama City Advanced School
  • Panama City Trilingual School
  • Saint Andrews Bay Stem Academy
  • Square Pegs Learning Center
  • St. John Catholic (Purple Star)
  • Northwest Florida Academy
  • Orchard Learning Center
  • Wsi Exceptional Academy

Mexico Beach Area

Located East of the base in Gulf County School District.

Gulf Co. Website →

Homeschooling in Florida

Your School Liaison is the first stop to connect to your new homeschooling community. The School Liaison can advise you on local policies and laws, connect you with the appropriate agencies, and address any issues or concerns regarding homeschooling your military-connected student. Stay informed and connected.

Intent to Homeschool Form HSLDA Website

Purple Star School of Distinction

The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment.

Bay County's 18 Purple Star Schools

  1. Breakfast Point Academy
  2. Bay High School
  3. Crawford Mosley High School
  4. Deer Point Elementary School
  5. Hiland Park Elementary School
  6. Hutchison Beach Elementary
  7. J. R. Arnold High School
  8. Lynn Haven Elementary School
  9. Northside Elementary School
  10. Oscar Patterson Academy
  11. Patronis Elementary School
  12. Rutherford High School
  13. Southport Elementary School
  14. St. John Catholic Academy
  15. Surfside Middle School
  16. Tommy Smith Elementary School
  17. Tyndall Academy
  18. Waller Elementary School

Designation Requirements

  • A school military point of contact to serve as the central liaison for military families.
  • A school webpage for military students and families with resources.
  • A student-led transition program to assist new military students.
  • Staff professional development to identify and respond to the needs of military families.
  • Five (5) percent open enrollment seats for military students and families.
  • Three additional activities to support military families (e.g., service projects, recognition events, JROTC).

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)

Free for all children age 4 on or before Sept 1st. Offered at 18 public school campuses.

Locations Include:

Tyndall Academy, Callaway, Cedar Grove, Cherry Street, Deer Point, Hiland Park, Lucille Moore, Lynn Haven, Northside, Parker, Southport, Tommy Smith, Waller, Deane Bozeman, Arnold HS.

How to Apply:

Parent Portal (FOCUS)

Access grades and communicate with teachers. Registration is available once your student is enrolled.

Note: There is currently no specific app for BDS Focus.

Register for Portal

Supporting Military Families

Resources and programs to ensure a smooth transition for your family.

Exceptional Student Services (EFMP)

  • Tyndall EFMP: 
    (850) 283-2400 
  • Bay District ESE: 850-767-4164
    Send IEPs/504s to: humphjd@bay.k12.fl.us
  • Charter Review: 325fw.pa.publicaffairs@us.af.mil

Impact Aid

Impact Aid assists local school districts that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt Federal property or have increased expenditures due to federally connected children. Please help your school by filling out the Impact Aid form that comes out every year around October and is due by December.

Watch Informational Video →

Child & Youth Programs

Child Development Center

Full-day care for infants through preschoolers.

Register Online →

School-Age Care (SAC)

Care for children 5-12 years old (must have started Kindergarten).

Contact Youth Director for info.

Youth Sponsorship

Smooth transition help for kids.

Email Sponsorship →

Military Kids Connect

A FREE web-based resource designed for military youth ages 6-17, offering fun and interactive activities for building resilience and coping skills, especially when a parent is deployed.

Visit MilitaryKidsConnect.org