Introduction

So you’ve just been assigned to Shaw Air Force Base. There’s a ton of things for you to do, but if you’re a parent, one of the first things you need to do when relocating to a new area is figure out where your kids are going to go to school and what your options are when it comes to childcare. You’ve got several school choices here at Shaw AFB, whether you opt for a public or private school and choosing the best school district is a big part of that. Luckily, there are several options available to you.

Suggested Read:

Shaw Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center

Schools in Shaw AFB

There are no schools located on Shaw Air Force Base. Children who live on base will attend Sumter School District #2 and children who live off base will attend Sumter School District #17 which are all a part of the larger Sumter School District.

Shaw AFB Child Care

Shaw offers three options for child care through Family Child Care (FCC), the Shaw Air Force Base Child Development Center Child Care (CDC), and the School Age Program (SAP).

Shaw AFB Family Child Care

FCC providers are Air Force-certified and licensed to care for children, 2 weeks of age through 12 years of age, in government quarters. This program expands the availability of child care and is an integral part of the Shaw Air Force Base child development program, providing weekly and occasional hourly care. Providers also assure flexibility for those parents who need extended hours and adapt their programs to meet the needs of customers, including 24 hour and weekend care. For additional information, a tour of homes or an updated listing of FCC providers, contact the FCC coordinator at 1 (803) 895-1212.

Shaw AFB Child Development Center

The CDC offers both full-time care and hourly care. Full-time care is up to 10 hours per day, up to 50 hours per week. Care is offered Monday-Friday on a permanent basis. A contract is available to ensure continued enrollment at the center. Hourly care is provided on a space-available basis to those needing occasional care between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages for hourly care are 12 months to 5 years. Parents needing hourly care for their children must call in advance to make reservations, which are based on availability. Hourly care patrons must follow specific guidelines available at the CDC. Personnel relocating to Shaw AFB who have a need for the CDC can go to militarychildcare.com and register. Shaw AFB’s CDC offers programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, conducted in a state-of-the-art facility. Programs include full-day care and hourly care. Call 803-895-2247.

Shaw AFB School Age Program

The Youth Center provides age-appropriate programming for youth ages 5 through 12 before and after school and during school in-service days, and full-day camps during the summer and holiday breaks. The Air Force Aid Society’s Respite Care Program is intended for active-duty Air Force families who have a family member with special needs. The goal of the program is to provide a break for a few hours a week or month to families who have the responsibility for the 24-hour-a-day care for an ill or disabled family member. This person may be a child, a spouse or a parent living in the household. Transportation is provided to and from schools that are located on or around the base and fees for these programs are based on Total Family Income.

Schools Near Shaw AFB

Whether you live on or off Shaw Air Force Base, you will be a part of the Sumter School District. Students who live on base will attend Sumter School District #2 and off base students will attend Sumter School District #17, which are both part of the larger Sumter School District. Sumter is home to approximately 16,500 students spread across 24 schools. The district has 14 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and 3 high schools.

Sumter School District

1345 Wilson Hall Road Sumter, SC 29150

Phone:

1 (803) 469-6900

Private Schools Near Shaw Air Force Base

Parents who opt to send their children to a private school near Shaw Air Force Base will have options as well. According to the Private School Review, there are 14 private schools in the area. While a majority (79%) of the private schools near Shaw AFB are religiously affiliated, there are nonsectarian options. Here are some of the best private schools in Sumter County.

1. Berea Junior Academy

675 S Lafayette Dr. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone:

1 (803) 773-6875 Berea Junior Academy is a Seventh Day Adventist school and serves 27 students from kindergarten to seventh grade. It offers small classes and an intimate learning experience.

2. Holy Angels Academy

11 S. Magnolia St. Sumter, SC 29150

Phone:

1 (803) 775-3632 Holy Angels Academy is a Catholic school that serves children in grades K-6. With a small student population of about 59 students and an average class size of 9 students, Holy Angels is a good choice for anyone looking for a Catholic school.

3. St. Francis Xavier High School

15 School Street Sumter, SC 29150

Phone:

1 (803) 773-0210 St. Francis Xavier High School is a Catholic school that was founded in 1997. The school serves students from 9-12th grade. The school is noted for academic excellence and has a high percentage of faculty members with advanced degrees. St. Francis only serves 19 students, so class sizes are small, with an average of 10 students per class.

4. Sumter Academy

2410 Bethel Church Rd. Sumter, SC 29154

Phone:

1 (803) 481-7870 Sumter Academy is a school for children with learning differences that serves students from grades 1-12. Sumter offers an individualized curriculum for each student. With a population of only 16 students, Sumter is a small school with a specific mission.

5. Thomas Sumter Academy

5265 Camden Hwy. Rembert, SC 29128

Phone:

1 (803) 499-3378 Thomas Sumter Academy is a nonsecretarian Pre-K-12 school with a small population of around 351 students. Class sizes are small, with about 12 students per class. The school touts a challenging academic curriculum that focuses on assisting “each student's growth toward independence in thought and action.”

Conclusion

Moving is stressful, and finding the best school or daycare for your child can be a time-consuming process. Thankfully, there are plenty of options in and around Shaw Air Force Base and the larger Sumter County area to make sure your child’s mental and physical well-being will be taken care of. We hope the above information helps make your search easier and allows you to spend more time with your family as you settle in.