Hey! Anyone here go to a high school on a military base? Are they different to regular schools? Wondering if they are more strict, more focused on certain subject areas, or what the community might be like.
From what I understand about schools on military bases, often called Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, they are typically comparably structured to public schools outside of bases. They follow a curriculum consistent with other American public schools and are generally accredited by U.S. accreditation agencies. The focus on subjects isn't necessarily different; they offer a full curriculum, including arts, language, science, math, and social studies.
In terms of discipline, all schools have rules and guidelines students need to follow, but that doesn't necessarily translate to military-style discipline on base schools. The interaction between teachers and students is much like that at typical public schools. However, these schools do cater specifically to the children of military personnel, so there might be more emphasis on community activities that support the military lifestyle.
As for the community, the environment can be quite tight-knit and supportive due to the shared experiences of being military families, such as frequent moves or coping during a parent's deployment. DoDEA schools generally have smaller class sizes and often provide additional support to students transitioning between schools. Keep in mind, though, that the experiences may vary dramatically between different base schools, so it's good to research the specific ones you're interested in.
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