J. M. Tate
High School
Military Family Resources
Military Point of Contact
Emily King
EKing@ecsdfl.us
850-937-2300
Enrollment Services
New to the area? Have questions about registering your child for school, or what documentation is needed for registration? Click here to visit our ECPS Enrollment Services department for this information, as well as the current Student Progression Plans.
Transition Planning
Mrs. Laura McDonald is J. M. Tate High School’s primary enrollment and registration contact. She and the Student Services team assist families with enrollment documents, student records, and withdrawal procedures. School counselors review incoming students’ transcripts, graduation requirements, prior coursework, and academic needs to create appropriate schedules and support a smooth transition.
Military-connected students and their families may also contact the Guidance Secretary to schedule a campus tour and learn about Tate’s programs, services, and opportunities. Whether students are entering or leaving Tate, our goal is to provide a clear point of contact, minimize educational disruptions, and ensure a welcoming, supportive transition.
Academic Planning
Our guidance department supports students with academic planning by reviewing graduation requirements, selecting appropriate courses, monitoring academic progress, and developing plans for college, career, or military pathways. They also connect students with tutoring, credit-recovery options, scholarships, testing resources, and other services needed for success.
CLASS OF 2027
Cheryl Robinson-Sutton
crobinsonsutton@ecsdfl.us
(850) 937-5462
CLASS OF 2028
Matt Ireland
mireland@ecsdfl.us
(850) 937-5463
CLASS OF 2029
Stacy-Ann Halliburton
shalliburton@ecsdfl.us
(850) 937-5465
CLASS OF 2030
Amanda Kimberly
akimberly@ecsdfl.us
(850) 937-5461
TESTING COORDINATOR & RTI and DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Kaleigh Blackmon
kblackmon@ecsdfl.us
(850) 937-5464
Exceptional Student Education
Tate High School’s ESE program provides individualized academic, transition, career, and related services to support students with disabilities. School-based opportunities include Learning Strategies, Community-Based Instruction, Career and Technical Education (CTE), On-the-Job Training, self-advocacy and self-determination activities, mock interviews, and the Spring Transition Conference.
Based on individual student needs, services may also include physical, occupational, speech and language therapy, and specialized support for students who are deaf or hard of hearing or blind or visually impaired. Students also have opportunities to participate in Special Olympics and Disability Awareness Month activities.
ESE Contact:
Holly McMorris, ESE Department Chair
(850) 937-5491
hmcmorris@ecsdfl.us
Click to visit the ECPS Exceptional Student Education department.
Sondra Hill, Program Director
shill@ecsdfl.us • 850-429-2977
Resources
The Joint Military Council for Education Excellence was established as a partnership between the Escambia County School District and Naval Air Station Pensacola in the Spring of 2020. Its mission is: Improving educational services and communication between the Escambia County School District and military families.
The Military Council convenes quarterly to address topics of mutual interest and to solicit input from community stakeholders, including military families.
NAS Pensacola Fleet &Family Support Center
Military One Source connects you to programs, services and products developed for military life. Turn to Military OneSource for tax services, spouse employment help, webinars and online training, relocation and deployment tools, and much more.
Military One Source also has a link to a tutoring service designed specifically for military students.
Military Child Education Coalition
The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission has a specific section for parents with resources detailing the role of the School Liaison as well as helpful articles on helping military children change schools and cope with moving, among others. They also have a section on supporting military families with special medical or educational needs.
The ASVAB CEP offers students a chance to explore all paths to careers - college, certifications, apprenticeships, licensure programs, and the Military - in one place. Contact your school counselor to find out when the ASVAB CEP is coming to your school.
MFLC Contact Phone Number
850-377-0052
About the Military & Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program
Tate High School is honored to offer non-medical counseling to our military-connected students. MFLCs support military families through the unique challenges of military life, including cycles of deployment and reintegration, by providing non-medical, short-term counseling. Through a partnership between the school district, the installation and the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy, counselors will be assigned to various schools during the school year.
What is the counselor’s role in the school?
MFLCs provide consultation, training, and educational presentations/workshops to program faculty, staff, parents, and children. MFLC support augments services already in place at each school. Counselors take part in everyday school activities and events. They are available to support in areas related to deployment and reintegration; family dynamics; positive coping mechanisms; staff support and education; parent education and stress reduction. Counselors are also available to facilitate groups and trainings to build leadership skills; manage anger; build self-esteem and confidence and strengthen communication.
How are counselors selected?
Counselors are selected for their demonstrated expertise and training and are under the management of the office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. Counselors hold a master’s or doctoral degree, are independently licensed and have experience working with children and youth. Counselors go through rigorous background checks before being placed in schools.
Why are the counselors in certain schools and not others?
Schools were selected by the Service Branch to receive MFLCs based on the number of military connected students attending each school. Military families who have students in schools without counselors can typically receive the same support through the installation’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, Fleet and Family Services or the A&FRC.
Do counselors keep records about students and families?
No. Services provided by counselors are private and confidential with the exception of mandatory federal and military reporting requirements (i.e., child abuse, domestic violence and other life-threatening situations). No counseling records are maintained.
Tate High Is Proud to Be a
Student to Student Peer Group
Tate’s student-led Student2Student (S2S) program, supports incoming and outgoing military-connected and other students. Student peer mentors provide campus tours, introductions, lunch connections, and ongoing support. S2S leaders also participate in military appreciation projects and school events. For information contact Mrs. Giles sgiles@ecsdfl.us or Mrs. Nodhturft mnodhturft@ecsdfl.us
Military Recognition Events
November Veterans Day Assembly
Our annual Veterans Day Assembly honors those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The program includes the presentation of colors by Tate’s AJROTC, patriotic selections performed by our band and chorus, and a Missing Man Table honoring fallen, missing, or imprisoned service members. A special banner displays stars bearing the names of known Tate graduates who are currently serving or have served in the military.
April Month of the Military Child
Throughout April, Tate celebrates the Month of the Military Child with schoolwide activities that recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of military-connected students. Activities include patriotic dress-up days, Purple Up! Day, student recognition, and opportunities for the entire Aggie family to show appreciation and support for military children.
Additional Educational Opportunities
Career Academies
Agriscience
Early Childhood Education
Game Simulation & Animation
Health Science
Multimedia
Veterinary Science
Advanced Placement
Current Courses
AP Human Geography
AP Biology
AP Chemistry*
AP Physics*
AP Statistics
AP World History: Modern
AP US History
AP Government
AP Macroeconomics**
AP Language & Composition
AP Literature & Composition
DE College Algebra/Trigonometry
DE Pre-Cal/Calculus
DE ENC 1101 / ENC 1102
ELECTIVES:
AP Computer Science: Principles
AP Drawing
AP 2-D Art & Design
AP 3-D Art & Design
AP European History
AP Psychology
AP Spanish Language & Culture
AP French Language & Culture
The Dandelion
The official flower of the military child is the dandelion. Why?
The plant puts down roots almost anywhere, and it's almost impossible to destroy. It's an unpretentious plant, yet good looking. It's a survivor in a broad range of climates.
Military children bloom everywhere the winds carry them. They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong, cultivated deeply in the culture of the military, planted swiftly and surely. They're ready to fly in the breezes that take them to new adventures, new lands, and new friends.
Experts say military children are well-rounded, culturally aware, tolerant, and extremely resilient. Military children have learned from an early age that home is where their hearts are, that a good friend can be found in every corner of the world, and that education doesn't only come from school. They live history. They learn that to survive means to adapt, that the door that closes one chapter of their life opens up to a new and exciting adventure full of new friends and new experiences.
(Military Child Education Coalition, 2017).