Silver Valley Unified School District provides educational services to Fort Irwin. The District Administration Office is located in Yermo, Calif., (760) 254-2916.

Families residing off-post in communities generally to the east of Barstow will be within the district.

Those who live in Barstow, or in communities to the west of the city, will be within the Barstow Unified School District, (760) 255-6000.

On-post education facilities include the General Colin Powell State Preschool, serving three to five year olds; Jerry Lewis Elementary School, which covers kindergarten through second grade, Tiefort View Intermediate School, serving third, fourth and fifth grades, and Fort Irwin Middle School, consisting of sixth through eighth grades. Total on-post population is around 1,750 students.

There are various school programs offered on post to provide assistance and enrichment to parents and children. These programs include a computer lab, band program for fourth through eighth grades, music programs for third, fourth and fifth graders, a school psychologist, speech therapist, school counselor, a health clerk, English as a Second Language support and Special Education Programs for both elementary and middle school children.

Families who cannot afford to send their children to preschool may be able to do so for free through a state-funded preschool program operated by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. The preschool, for three to five year olds, is a comprehensive child development program and holds class three hours per day, Monday through Friday. The goal of the program is to promote the intellectual, social, and physical growth and development of pre-kindergarten age children. Families must meet income guidelines, with the lowest income families getting priority.

Fort Irwin Middle School (FIMS) is a traditional middle school serving approximately 320 students in grades sixth through eighth. Ninety-six percent of the student body are military family members. The other fourpercent of the population is made up of two groups: students living in the neighboring desert area and students who are on transfer from within and outside the District.

Extra curricular activities are provided for students at all levels. In an effort to promote student success, remediation and tutoring are provided by staff for students.

Silver Valley Unified School District provides educational services to adults as well.

High School students attend Silver Valley High School, (760) 254-2963, in Yermo, Calif., approximately 37 miles south of Fort Irwin. The district provides bus transportation. The high school was built in 1985. A full range of academic, social, and athletic opportunities are provided.

The Calico Continuation High School, (760) 254-2715, is located in Daggett, Calif., and provides a wide range of opportunities for those students with special academic needs. The district provides bus transportation.

While in the service, take advantage of the educational and benefits programs provided by the Army. Tuition assistance and Top-Up are programs available to soldiers who qualify. There are also grants and scholarships available to soldiers, spouses, and civilians. The Education Center offers a variety of college programs through several institutions.

Barstow College is an accredited, two-year school offering transferable, lower-division requirement for the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree. As a California Community College, Barstow College offers courses at a minimum cost to active duty soldiers. Family members are encouraged to take classes during their tour here. They are given residency rights to attend classes at the same rate as active duty soldiers while attending California Community Colleges. Fort Irwin classes are scheduled around rotations. Classes also meet on weekends and during the lunch period, and there are full semester schedules to meet the needs of as many students as possible. Barstow College participates in the Service members Opportunity College Degree program, which allows students to complete degrees anywhere in the world without "losing credits" through transfer. Call (760) 380-3905 or visit Barstow College in Building 285 for additional information or assistance.

Embry-Riddle offers undergraduate programs designed specifically for those in the military.

The Professional Aeronautics degree program was designed specifically for people who have already established an aviation career. The Management of Technical Operations degree program was designed for those who have technical experience or course work and would like to build a management degree around their technical expertise. College credit for military experience can be applied to both of these programs. Degrees at the graduate level are also offered.

The Master of Business Administration program stresses pragmatic solutions to the problems of business today. Graduate credit can be applied to this program for students who have completed the Combined Arms Service Staff School (CAS3). Embry- Riddle's accelerated terms are scheduled around the rotation for convenience. Call (760) 386-7997 for more information or visit Embry-Riddle in Building 285.

Park University is a fully accredited, fouryear. They offer a choice of three unique bachelor degree programs; Criminal Justice Administration, Social Psychology and Management.

Classes are offered here on post and at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow. They have accelerated eight-week terms and five terms a year. Park University accepts credit from military service and service schools as well as other schools. Call (760) 386-8062 to find out more about the program or visit Park University in Building 285.