Holloman supports School Partnership program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Kocin
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In October 2006, Holloman Air Force Base and the Alamogordo Public School District came together to form the School Partnership Program.

The program is designed to boost education and the community through such things as field trips and tutoring.

"The attempt is to improve math, science and technology for the local schools," said Capt. Michael Fleming, the School Partnership Program director. "Holloman has a ton of science, technology and mathematics applications. We are incorporating these applications into the school curriculum."

Through the program, students get the opportunity to come on base for field trips and are able to apply their studies. Captain Fleming also goes downtown to talk about his job, physiology, in the classroom.

Subject matter experts in different fields also go out to the schools and supplement the teachers' lectures in the classroom.

"It exposes the students to a higher level of technology and more expensive equipment than what is possible in the school systems," said Captain Fleming.

The School Partnership Program also gives military members a chance to volunteer in the community. 

"The most important factor is for people to continue to stay involved; volunteerism is how the program thrives," said Captain Fleming.

Initially, the program was designed for public high school students, but the project has now expanded to all grade levels, mostly those in Alamogordo schools. However, the program has also worked with multiple schools throughout the world.

"One of the primary goals of the program is to improve test scores and local school ranking," said Captain Fleming.

"The partnership is Holloman's effort to affirm the essential role," said Ms. Lesalee Arana, School Liaison Officer for Holloman. "Academic achievement plays in future successes. Whether or not a student is succeeding or struggling, the partnership has something to offer."