FORT KNOX COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Established in 1932, the Fort Knox Community Schools system provides a comprehensive program for school-age children of the military men and women stationed at Fort Knox.
More than 2,500 students attend eight schools located on Fort Knox: four elementary schools with grades preK-3, two intermediate schools with grades 4-6, one middle school with grades 7-8, and a high school with grades 9-12. All schools are accredited by AdvanceED, an organization dedicated to “Advancing Excellence in Education Worldwide.”
The mission of the Fort Knox school system is to provide exemplary education that inspires and prepares all students for success in a dynamic, global environment.
To enroll in the Pre-Kindergarten program, a child must be 4 years old by September 1. To enroll in Kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old by September 1. To enroll in first grade, a child must be 6 years old by September 1.
Students score significantly higher than the national norm on standardized tests, with Fort Knox students ranking eighth overall, and minority students ranking first. Based on standardized test outcomes, the Fort Knox Community School system is considered one of the best school districts in the nation.
To facilitate teaching and learning, the schools operate on a single academic year calendar. The calendar has four instructional quarters, separated by one or two week-long breaks. The summer break is about nine weeks in length.
In August 2009, Fort Knox High School opened, replacing a 1950s era facility. The $18.1 million facility includes 71,510 square feet of space for classrooms, computer labs, library media center, administrative offices, and a cafeteria. In addition, the school system has a five-year construction plan to build three elementary schools that will serve 800 students each. These new schools will replace the four existing elementary schools.
The Board of Education is elected by and represents the parents and guardians of students enrolled in the Fort Knox schools. The five-member board advises the superintendent on matters ranging from curricular to extracurricular, and from policies to programs. Monthly board meeting are open to the community. Public participation is encouraged.
Special Education – The schools provide an appropriate education for all students. Some students have special needs that cannot be met exclusively through the regular educational curriculum. All children ages 3 to 21 with special education needs are identified, evaluated and served through the school system. Related services such as speech, language, occupation therapy, physical therapy, and special transportation are made available to special education students who require such assistance.
Technology – All schools are fully supported by significant hardware, software, and technology staff at both the district and school levels. Each school has a high-speed network that enables computer users to access programs and files on servers and to share devices, such as laser printers.
Every school has a computer lab, and the larger schools have two labs. The computer to student ratio is 1-to-2. School computers have broadband Internet access. Every school has a digital network that brings Kentucky Educational Television programs into the classroom. All schools have closed circuit and cable television programs. For instruction, every school has numerous TVs, VCRs, DVD players, SMARTboards/whiteboards, and projectors.
Athletics – Boys and girls can participate in a full program of athletics: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling. Athletic programs are competitive, with wrestling, weight lifting, cross-country and track state championship awards highlighting an extensive trophy case.
High School and After – Fort Knox High School offers a comprehensive program through a wide variety of courses including Advanced Placement, Professional Technical Studies, Foreign languages (Chinese, Spanish and German), Fine Arts, and Career Practicum.
The school makes accommodations for qualified students who desire to take college-level classes. This dual enrollment feature allows students to earn both college and school credit concurrently.
The school also features Encore, a program that provides students time to receive additional instructional help. More than 34 percent of Fort Knox’s high school students take JROTC – an award-winning program that has been named an honor unit with distinction for decades.
The school boasts a 97 percent graduation rate with 71 percent of the students going on to college; 18 percent going to special or technical schools; 5 percent entering the work force; and 6 percent enlisting in the military. In school year 2009-10, more than half of the seniors received scholarship offers totaling $5.62 million.
Guide – A Fort Knox Community Schools Information Guide is available on post at these locations:
• Army Community Service, Building 5101, 12th
Armored Division Ave.
• Barr Memorial Library, Building 400, 62 W. Spearhead
Division Ave.
• FKCS Central Staff Offices (rotunda), Crittenberger
Building 4553, 281 Fayette Ave.
• Fort Knox Child, Youth and School Services,
(lower level)
“One-Stop” White Hall, Building 1384, Chaffee Ave.
• Knox Hills Welcome Center and Community Offices
Website – The Fort Knox Community Schools website includes the school year calendar, key programs and services, policies, immunization requirements and much more. The website is available at www.am.dodea.edu/knox/fkcsco.
ARMY CONTINUING EDUCATION SYSTEM (ACES)
The Army Continuing Education Center is comprised of the Army Education Center with six partner schools offering a variety of educational programs and services for Soldiers, family members, employees and local civilians. The central phone number for the ACES program is (502) 624-2427.
The Army Continuing Education System includes three facilities: The Army Education Center, located in Building 1174; the Army Learning Center, located in Building 65; and the College Center, located in Building. 63.
Programs and services:
Education Counseling Services are available to everyone and include academic planning, college course and program requirements, online schooling, and information about financial aid, scholarships, GI Bill, and college programs throughout the country.
The Army Tuition Assistance (TA) program pays 100 percent of a Soldier’s tuition cost for college courses up to a semester hour cap of $250 and up to a maximum of $4,500 per fiscal year. Schools must be regionally or nationally accredited. TA pays for associates, bachelors, and masters degrees and one certification. Soldiers must apply for benefits in advance through the GoArmyEd portal at www.goarmyed.com.
Six ACES Partner Schools (Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, University of Louisville, Sullivan University and Central Texas College) maintain offices and staff at the Army Education Center (Buildings 1174, 63 and 65). College participation is open to Soldiers, family members, Army employees and local civilians.
The Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Army Degree (SOCAD) network provides ACES with common degrees that meet special requirements for guaranteed transfer, minimum residency, recognition for military education and training, and credit earned via testing.
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) testing program provides many college credit exams free of charge to Soldiers. Tests are administered through a National Testing Center located at the University of Louisville office and tests scores are available immediately. For more information, call (502) 942-8060.
The Army Education Center manages the Army Personnel Testing program offering AFCT, DLPT, DLAB and other military tests. Also available through the Education Center are college entrance exams such as the SAT, ACT as well as Pearson Vue’s certification exams.
The Army Learning Center, in Building 65, is a twenty-two classroom facility used for military and civilian training in daytime and college classes at night.