MPUSD Now Home to Four Purple Star Schools
Seaside Middle School has been named a 2026 California Purple Star School by the California Department of Education, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District announced today.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond named 75 schools statewide for the 2026 designation, bringing California’s total to 202 Purple Star Schools. The program recognizes schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
With approximately 14% of its students coming from military families, MPUSD has long prioritized systems of support for a population that frequently transitions between schools — sometimes staying as few as five weeks before moving on, with an average stay of 18 months. Purple Star schools are recognized for providing accessible resources for military families, student-led transition programs, partnerships with military family life counselors and liaisons, staff professional development in cultural competency, and smooth academic placement and social integration processes.
“This recognition affirms Seaside Middle School’s deep commitment to serving our military families with care, intentionality, and excellence,” said Principal Jenn Lyon. “We are incredibly proud of our staff and students who work together every day to ensure military-connected students are supported socially, emotionally, and academically.”
Seaside Middle School joins La Mesa School, Marshall Elementary School, and Monte Vista TK-8 School as MPUSD’s Purple Star-designated campuses — reflecting a district-wide culture of support that spans every grade level.
“The Purple Star Program is about more than a designation,” said Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh. “It reflects a culture of service, belonging, and proactive support for families who sacrifice so much in service to our country.”
About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District MPUSD serves approximately 9,300 students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as preschool and adult education programs, across the communities of Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Del Rey Oaks, and Sand City.
About the California Purple Star Program The California Purple Star School Designation Program identifies schools that meet critical transition and support criteria for military-connected students, promoting centralized resources, stakeholder collaboration, and culturally responsive practices.
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