Purple Star Schools

The Purple Star School Program is a state-sponsored recognition designed to emphasize the importance of assisting military children with school transition and developing programs that recognize the value of military service and civic responsibility.

The primary goal is to ensure these students remain on track for success in college, the workforce, and life.

To earn the Purple Star School designation, schools must meet specific criteria, including:

A designated staff member serving as the primary contact for military students and their families
A program involving peer-to-peer mentoring, which involves the careful selection of a student by school leadership and provides them with training on becoming a peer mentor
A dedicated webpage containing a wealth of resources tailored to military families
Training and development opportunities for staff (70%) designed to acquaint and prepare them for better assisting the needs of military students

Military families come from all walks of life, different cultures, and different places. Our Purple Star Schools provide students from a military family with an educational choice that helps create a pathway to a successful future.

Designated Staff

Elementary

Havasupai Elementary: Jessica Forster

Jamaica Elementary: Kutlo Kestilwe

Nautilus Elementary: Libby Carlton

Oro Grande Classical Academy: Susan Martin

Smoketree Elementary: Marti Miller

Starline Elementary: Alyssa Horton

Secondary

Thunderbolt Middle School: Jessica Love

Lake Havasu High School: Kaymee Kelly

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring

Our schools are proud to offer peer-to-peer mentoring. This program aligns with our commitment to all students at our school and our Leader In Me programs.

Please contact your school office for more information.

Parent Resources

Military Interstate Compact Commission (MIC3)
Interstate Compact. How states agree to help military-connected students stay on track for college, career, or life-ready paths.

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Library
Parent resource library, PTSD, Parent support, mental health, dealing with deployment, etc.

Military OneSource
24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help.

BeConnected AZ
Arizona Coalition for Military Families is a federal and state non-profit that helps the military community with employment and other family support.

School Liaisons
School Liaison Program Managers are at each of Arizona's military installations, each providing support for their respective regions.

AZPSS Training
Self-paced modules highlight various issues military-connected students may face and provide additional information to support military-connected families. (A requirement for all AZPSS schools)

MilLife Learning Catalog
Self-direct courses focusing on quality-of-life topics for military families.