Golden State Today

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 44 schools have been designated as 2024 Purple Star Schools. Thurmond expressed his appreciation for the winning schools, stating, "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."

The California Purple Star School Designation Program aims to recognize schools that are dedicated to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. These schools strive to reduce the burden on military-connected students by providing critical transition supports as they move due to their parents' relocation orders.

Military-connected students face challenges such as changing schools multiple times and adapting to new environments, which can impact their academic and social-emotional well-being. Thurmond highlighted the importance of these Purple Star Schools in enriching the educational experience and fostering a sense of belonging for the military community.

With over 2.6 million active-duty service members in the United States, including 242,624 in California, the need for supportive educational environments for military-connected students is significant. These Purple Star Schools play a crucial role in ensuring that these students can stay on track to be college- and career-ready despite the challenges they face during transitions.