Military Families
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Sharing information and resources to best serve the needs of military families
Military families often encounter challenges related to school enrollment, eligibility, placement, and graduation due to frequent relocations in service to our country. From kindergarten through grade 12, the average military child will attend from six to nine different schools. 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.
All 50 states and the District of Columbia passed legislation to become members of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which consists of general policies in four key areas: eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation. It provides for the uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states. It was developed by The Council of State Governments' National Center for Interstate Compacts, the Department of Defense, national associations, federal and state officials, departments of education, school administrators and military families.
Recognizing Month of the Military Child in April
![U.S. flag hanging in classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675806994/sdcoenet/c3r5erojmrf0gaxfqgoq/flaginclass.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675806994/sdcoenet/c3r5erojmrf0gaxfqgoq/flaginclass.jpg","width":460}])
The San Diego County Office of Education is proud to recognize and celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April, during which time we recognize and celebrate the unique challenges and contributions of military children and youth.
California Purple Star Program
Since its inception, the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) has been committed to serving San Diego County’s military-connected students and families, and providing districts and schools support in their efforts.
Many of the schools in our county border military bases and cater to high populations of military-connected students and families, while others serve only a few. It’s critical to understand how to support this population of students, making sure they are seen, feel a sense of belonging at their school, and are set up for success, no matter how long they attend. It’s also important to recognize schools that excel in these areas.
The Purple Star Award, handed out by the California Department of Education, recognizes the important role schools play in supporting our military-connected students and their families.
- About the Purple Star School Designation
- Eligibility Requirements
- Application Timeline and Procedures
- Application Questionnaire
- A Salute to Purple Star Schools
About the Purple Star School Designation
Eligibility Requirements
Application Timeline and Procedures
Application Questionnaire
A Salute to Purple Star Schools
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS
Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-PLUS) is an expansion of the existing Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, a Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard fee assistance program for eligible families who cannot access military-operated child care due to distance or waitlists. With fee assistance, a portion of your child care costs is paid to offset the costs of community-based care. This enhanced initiative allows San Diego to broaden the pool of eligible child care providers by including those participating in the County’s San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative (SDQPI).
Families: Learn more and find an eligible quality child care program.
Providers: Learn more on how to participate in MCCYN-PLUS as an SDQPI participant.
In the News
![Image of state with purple background - Purple Star Designation]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727460939/sdcoenet/dwmo2h6a4jxf0obkdl05/CA-Purple-Star-Schools-CDE-460.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727460939/sdcoenet/dwmo2h6a4jxf0obkdl05/CA-Purple-Star-Schools-CDE-460.png","width":460}])
Forty-one San Diego County schools, the most since the program began in 2021, have been recognized as 2025 Purple Star Schools. The California Department of Education’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.
Twenty-three San Diego County schools have been recognized as a 2023 Purple Star School. The California Purple Star School Designation Program publicly recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet military-connected students and their families’ unique needs.
![American Flag in a classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1726115098/sdcoenet/ta29vpnjaxiywj1hmfib/Coronado-flag-high-school.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1726115098/sdcoenet/ta29vpnjaxiywj1hmfib/Coronado-flag-high-school.png","width":460}])
Thirty San Diego County schools have been designated as a 2023 Purple Star School. The California Purple Star School Designation Program publicly recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet military-connected students and their families’ unique needs.
More to Explore
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main contacts
Violeta Mora
Program Specialist,
Student Wellness and School Culture ad Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program
Linda Vista Campus and Old Town
vmora@sdcoe.net
858-298-2099