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Your address decides your school district, so school and housing are really one decision. This page gathers the official places to enroll, what to have ready, and the protections military kids carry with them. It can't hold a seat or approve a transfer; the district does that.
Independent local guide — not affiliated with the U.S. Army, Fort Cavazos, Fort Hood, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Its transfer form says it typically serves addresses in Killeen, Harker Heights, Nolanville and on post. New families enroll online, and any transfer request has to be made during enrollment. Starting with 2026–27, KISD weighs military transfer requests by campus space plus the student's attendance and behavior history, so the district urges families to apply early. KISD enrollment · Military transfer update · Attendance zones
Copperas Cove families register through the district's online portal. Questions go to the district office at 408 S. Main St., (254) 547-1227. CCISD registration
New-to-district families complete New Student Online Enrollment, and the campus registrar helps if you get stuck. BISD new student enrollment · Required documents
Temple, Salado, Academy and other nearby towns each run their own enrollment. Bell County keeps a directory of its school districts. Temple ISD · Bell County school districts
Each district sets its own list, so check yours. Killeen ISD names proof of residency, immunization records, a birth certificate and parent ID. Belton ISD's list adds the student's Social Security card and a withdrawal form, transcript or final report card from the last school, and it accepts a current lease for 30 days until a utility bill is available.
Ask the old school for a withdrawal form, the latest report card or transcript, shot records, and any IEP, 504 plan or gifted paperwork. Keep copies in your carry-on, not the moving truck.
Residency proof is usually the sticking point. Ask the district what it accepts while you're in temporary lodging, and lean on the School Liaison if the answer is unclear.
Want a campus other than your zoned one? Killeen ISD says requests are approved by space, and on its transfer form notes that families provide transportation on an approved transfer. KISD transfer details
Texas joined the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in 2009, and every state now belongs. The Texas Education Agency says it covers timely records and enrollment, course and program placement (including gifted, special education and advanced classes), attendance and activity eligibility, and on-time graduation. TEA: Military Compact · Texas Education Code ch. 162
Children of active-duty members, including Guard and Reserve on active-duty orders; of members medically discharged or retired, for one year after; and of members who die on active duty, for one year after. It doesn't cover children of DoD civilians or contractors.
Texas law makes children of active-duty service members eligible for free public prekindergarten (Texas Education Code §29.153). Ask your district about ages, campuses and how to show eligibility. TEA summary of military-student laws
TEA gives the Purple Star designation to campuses that have a military liaison, a military-family web page, a transition program and a military initiative. Campuses in Killeen, Copperas Cove, Belton, Gatesville and Lampasas ISDs are on the 2026–27 list. TEA: Purple Star campuses
Fort Hood's School Support Services helps with picking a school, transitions, homeschool, special education questions and life after high school, at no cost to ID cardholders. The office is in Building 36000 on Shoemaker Lane, (254) 287-6070; check hours on the official page. School Support Services
For before- and after-school care, start with Child & Youth Services. Registering isn't a promise of a space. CYS
Each fall, districts send home a federal survey asking if your family is military or federally connected. Killeen ISD says returning it helps the district receive federal Impact Aid that supports local schools.
Where to live near Fort Hood for how towns line up with districts, First week at Fort Hood for the arrival order, and the checklist so school paperwork isn't left for last.
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