San Diego County Schools Among 2024 California Purple Star Schools

Twenty-three San Diego County schools have been recognized as 2024 Purple Star Schools. The California 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.

“Our military families make great sacrifices for our country; for many, that includes moving often,” said San Diego County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. “I commend these schools whose staff are making the extra effort to build connections and belonging for students and families so they can thrive and stay on track to be college- or career-ready.”

In its third year, 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. This year, schools in San Diego County represented more than half of the 44 California schools designated Purple Star Schools.

San Diego County 2024 Purple Star Schools

• Bonsall Unified, Bonsall Elementary 
• Bonsall Unified, Bonsall High 
• Bonsall Unified, Bonsall West Elementary 
• Bonsall Unified, Norman L. Sullivan Middle 
• Bonsall Unified, Vivian Banks Charter 
• Chula Vista Elementary, McMillin (Corky) Elementary 
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, Fallbrook STEM Academy 
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, James E. Potter Intermediate  
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, La Paloma Elementary
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, Live Oak Elementary 
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, Maie Ellis Elementary 
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary 
• Fallbrook Union Elementary, William H. Frazier Elementary 
• Oceanside Unified, North Terrace Elementary 
• Oceanside Unified, Oceanside High 
• Oceanside Unified, Stuart Mesa Elementary 
• Poway Unified, Bernardo Heights Middle 
• San Diego Unified, De Portola Middle 
• San Diego Unified, Hickman Elementary 
• San Diego Unified, Jones Elementary 
• San Diego Unified, Perry Elementary 
• San Diego Unified, Vista Grande Elementary 
• San Diego Unified, Walker Elementary 

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 kindergarten to the end of high school, which is three times more often than children without a military connection. 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, they often face unique academic, social, and emotional challenges and struggle to stay on track to be ready for college and career.

The San Diego County Office of Education 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. Additional resources for parents, resources for schools, and emotional and mental health resources are available at sdcoe.net.

Learn more about the California Department of Education's Purple Star School Designation Program.