TRICARE is the healthcare program for Active Duty and retired personnel, their families and their survivors. The Washington Metropolitan area falls under the TRICARE Northeast Region, managed by Sierra Military Health Services, Inc.

Eligibility: Each military sponsor is responsible for enrolling family members in the DEERS before they seek medical care. Military clinic clerks perform a full DEERS computer check for eligibility each time a patient accesses healthcare in a military facility. Patients who are ineligible for care will not receive service.
Important TRICARE Numbers

• Appointments/Customer Service: (888) 999-5195
• Health Care Information Line*: (800) 308-3518
• Claims: (888) 999-5195
• Program for Persons with Disabilities (PFPWD): (888) 333-3678
• Mental Health: (888) 999-5195
• TTY/TDD (Hearing Impaired): (800) 735-2258
• DEERS: (800) 538-9552
• Dental Coverage:
  • United Concordia (Active Duty): (800) 866-8499
  • Delta Dental (Retired Military): (888) 336-3260
  • Select Reserve Dental: (800) 211-3614
• National Mail Order Pharmacy: (800) 903-4680

* No health consumer information provided through these lines takes precedence over established Department of Defense or military department policies.

Kindergarten is not compulsory in the Greater Washington area, and some areas have limited kindergartens.

Entrance requirements: Proof of vaccination and birth certificate. Medical forms are to be filled out concerning other immunizations. Note: New students in most local school systems must have a physical & dental examination, proof of residence and social security number.

Transfer requirements: Latest report card or transfer forms, medical forms and birth certificate.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
 

• Grades Available: Pre-Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 31 December
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 31 December
• Registration Dates: During summer--check with your school
• Public School Information: (202) 724-4044
• Pre-School/Kindergarten: (age 4 before 31 December) is available in some areas.
  Inquire of principal of school in your area.

MARYLAND

Montgomery County
 

• Grades Available:
  • Headstart for those eligible
  • Limited pre-Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 31 December
  First grade-- must be 6 on or before 31 December
• Registration Dates: At individual schools throughout the summer. Must have proof of residence.
• Public School Information: Pupil Services--(301) 279-3391

Prince George's County
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 31 December
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 31 December
• Registration Dates: At individual schools throughout the year. Must have proof of residence, immunization records, school records and birth certificate.
• Public School Information: (301) 952-6000

Anne Arundel County School District--(410) 222-5000

Howard County School District--(410) 313-6600

VIRGINIA

Alexandria
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 30 September
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 30 September
• Registration: At individual schools throughout the year.
• Public School Information: (703) 824-6635
• **Note: Students new to Virginia must have a physical examination.

Arlington
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12; also some pre-school (Montessori) programs available for a fee, 3 and 4 years
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 30 September
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 30 September
• Registration: At individual schools throughout the year.
• Public School Information: (703) 228-6000
• **Note: Arlington schools have an extended day program for working parents of elementary school children. For a fee children can come in early (7:00 am) and stay late (6:00 pm).

Fairfax County
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 30 September
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 30 September
• Registration: During the summer call your school to find out when to come in to register.
• Public School Information: (703) 246-2502

Falls Church
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 30 September
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 30 September
• Registration: At individual schools throughout the year. Call the school about when to come in to register.
• Public School Information: (703) 241-7600

Loudoun County--(703) 771-6400

Prince William County
 

• Grades Available: Kindergarten through 12
• Age Eligibility: Kindergarten--must be 5 on or before 30 September
  First grade--must be 6 on or before 30 September
• Registration: At individual schools throughout the year.
• Public School Information: (703) 791-7200
• To determine which school you attend: (703) 791-7273

Note: In Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Falls Church and Prince William County, as of the 1995 school year, children must be 5 on or before 30 September to enter Kindergarten.