2026 Purple Star Schools Announced by CDE
2026 Purple Star Schools Announced by CDE
Forty-three San Diego County schools have been recognized as 2026 Purple Star Schools by the California Department of Education (CDE).
The CDE’s Purple Star School Designation Program publicly recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
This year, 75 schools in the state received the designation bringing the total number of Purple Star designated schools to 202. Locally, there are 107 schools in San Diego County that currently have the designation, which is good for three years.
“Military families make many sacrifices for our country and we have a duty to support them however we can,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza. “I applaud all the Purple Star designees for their efforts to make sure our students feel a true sense of belonging and connection in their school communities, which is critical to their success.”
The Purple Star program highlights schools that seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports. Schools may demonstrate this commitment through multiple specific criteria, including by providing easily accessible resources for military-connected families and implementing student-led transition programs to welcome and socially acclimate incoming military-connected students with their peers.
SDCOE encouraged county schools who serve military families to apply for the Purple Star designation and provided technical support during the application process. In addition, SDCOE will celebrate the 2026 designees at Salute to Purple Star Schools on March 18.
Throughout the year, SDCOE provides school district-designated liaisons with information, professional development, current events, data sources, and resources needed to facilitate their work and better serve the unique needs of military students and families.
San Diego County 2026 Purple Star Schools
- Pacific Rim Elementary, Carlsbad Unified
- Sage Creek High, Carlsbad Unified
- McMillin Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Olympic View Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Salt Creek Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Sonia Sotomayor Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Coronado High, Coronado Unified
- Coronado Middle, Coronado Unified
- Coronado Village Elementary, Coronado Unified
- Silver Strand Elementary, Coronado Unified
- San Onofre Elementary, Fallbrook Union Elementary
- La Mesa Dale Elementary, La Mesa-Spring Valley
- Tierra del Sol Middle, Lakeside Union
- Elite Academic Academy - Mountain Empire
- Pacific View Charter
- Santa Margarita Elementary, Oceanside Unified
- Black Mountain Middle, Poway Unified
- Chaparral Elementary, Poway Unified
- Midland Elementary, Poway Unified
- Mt. Carmel High, Poway Unified
- Sunset Hills Elementary, Poway Unified
- Dimensions Collaborative
- Angier Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Cabrillo Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Chesterton Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Dailard Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Elevate School
- Hage Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Hancock Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Innovations Academy
- John Muir Language Academy, San Diego Unified
- Jonas Salk Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Loma Portal Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Miller Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Old Town Academy K-8 Charter
- Point Loma High, San Diego Unified
- St. Paul's Lutheran
- Wangenheim Middle, San Diego Unified
- Ocean View Hills Elementary, San Ysidro Elementary
- Vista Del Mar Elementary, San Ysidro Elementary
- Eastlake High, Sweetwater Union High
- Otay Ranch Senior High, Sweetwater Union High
- Valley Center High, Valley Center-Pauma Unified
“I am proud to congratulate the educators, staff, administrators, parents, and students at every one of our Purple Star Schools,” said Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public instruction. “The unique resources and wraparound supports that these schools provide are crucial to welcoming our military-connected families into our school communities. Each one of our Purple Star Schools works thoughtfully and tirelessly to ensure that our military-connected students are supported to learn, grow, and thrive while their parents serve our country.”
Learn more about the Purple Star Designation Program at the CDE website and learn more about SDCOE’s support for military-connected students and families on its Military Support website.
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