State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 44 schools have been designated as 2024 Purple Star Schools. Now in its third year, the California Purple Star School Designation Program recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
“I commend the remarkable dedication and support shown by the winning schools of the California Purple Star School Designation Program. By embracing and enhancing services for military-connected students and their families, these schools exemplify our commitment to inclusivity, understanding, and excellence in education,” Thurmond said. “Their efforts not only enrich the educational experience but also foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for our military community.”
Three Monterey County schools received the designation:
- Monterey Peninsula Unified, George C. Marshall Elementary
- Monterey Peninsula Unified, La Mesa
- Monterey Peninsula Unified, Monte Vista
Purple Star Schools seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports. With more than 2.6 million active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves, the military is one of the United States’ largest workforces. In 2022, California had 242,624 active-duty service members and individuals serving in the National Guard and Reserves.
Military-connected students must move whenever their active-duty parent or guardian receives a relocation order. These required relocations mean that a military-connected child can expect to change schools between six and nine times from grades K–12, which is three times more often than non-military-connected children. As military-connected students transition between schools—often to different states and countries—they must adapt to varying cultures, school populations, curricula, standards, course offerings, schedules, and graduation requirements. As a result, military-connected students often face unique academic and social-emotional challenges and struggle to stay on track to be college- and career-ready.