Finding the Best School for Your Kids Among PCS Worries

Relocating to a new city or state can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also be a daunting task for parents, especially when trying to find the right schools for their children. As a parent, one of the biggest challenges you may face is ensuring that your children receive an education that is supportive, academically appropriate, and also meets their needs, including any special requirements like IEPs. In addition, the disruption that comes with change can also impact children’s education, and parents have to take that into consideration when searching for the best fit for schools, too.

Family spoke with Heather Frye whose spouse, Master Sergeant Darin Frye, is a retired Air Force member and who also grew up as a child in an Air Force family. Four out of five of the Frye’s children also serve in the Air Force with two being full-time guardsmen: SSgt Darik Frye, TSgt Melissa Frye, TSgt Robbie Frye, and SrA Darin Frye. The Fryes also have son, Stu Frye, who currently does not serve in the military but instead works for a construction company.

Can you share your firsthand experience as a child with a parent in the Air Force in terms of finding the most suitable school whenever your family PCS’d?

“My parent’s felt education was always important. So, they ensured that I attended a school that would expose me to different cultures. I attended school at Spangdahlem AFB and would later attend Bitburg for high school. And having me attend those schools did give me a great experienced I have fond memories of. Plus, I loved learning and experiencing different cultures. I learned more overseas than my kids did here in the States.”

What about education for your children?

“Our children were active, ensuring they had ample opportunities to participate in sports was paramount. When we were stationed in Massachusetts, we faced the challenge of finding nonmilitary schools for the first time. Instead of hastily purchasing a house, we researched the neighboring towns, visited the schools, and asked about which extracurricular activities our kids would like. After selecting the most suitable school, we focused on finding a house.

“This process was repeated when we retired from the Air Force and relocated to Maine. Since our children were still in school, we wanted a wellrounded academic institution that could cater to their diverse interests. Once again, [we] scoured the schools in the area until we found one that aligned with our family’s needs. All five of our children ultimately graduated from that school.

“The experience was enriching for both me and my children. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to search for schools that met our specific criteria rather than settling for the default option. Although we did compromise on our choice of house, we prioritized our children’s education and extracurricular activities.”