AZPSS for Parents

Welcome, Arizona Military Families

Whether your family is arriving at a new duty station, navigating deployment, or transitioning from military service, Arizona Purple Star Schools are committed to helping your student thrive.

Military-connected students bring resilience, leadership, and unique experiences to our schools. Arizona Purple Star Schools understand the challenges that can come with frequent moves, changing schools, deployments, and family transitions. Our goal is to ensure every military-connected student feels welcomed, connected, supported, and prepared for success.

What Is an Arizona Purple Star School?

Arizona Purple Star Schools have demonstrated a commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families through:

• Dedicated military family points of contact
• Student transition and peer-support programs
• Staff training focused on military-connected student needs
• Family resource networks and community partnerships
• School environments that recognize and celebrate military service

When you see the Purple Star designation, you can be confident the school has taken intentional steps to support military-connected students academically, socially, and student well-being.

New to Arizona?

Relocating can be challenging, but you do not have to navigate it alone.

When enrolling your child in an Arizona Purple Star School, ask about:

• School transition support
• Peer mentoring opportunities
• Extracurricular activities
• Academic placement procedures
• Graduation requirements and credit transfers
• Deployment support services

Arizona Purple Star Schools work closely with military families to ease transitions and maintain educational continuity.

Parent Resource Hub

School Transition Support

Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) administers the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children, which is designed to reduce educational problems military-connected students encounter when moving between states or countries because of military orders or recent separation.

The Compact primarly addresses four areas: Enrollment, Placement & Attendance, Eligibility, and Graduation.

• Enrollment - (records, immunizations, entrance age)
• Placement - (course/program placement, special education, deployment related absences)
• Eligibility - (enrollment, extracurricular activities)
• Graduation - (course waivers, testing flexibity, and diploma requirements)

Academic and School Planning

SchoolQuest® by MCEC

A free online tool designed to help families compare schools, organize educational records, and prepare for school transitions.

Family and Student Well-Being

Military families may face deployments, separations, reintegration, and frequent moves. MCEC provides resources to help families build resilience, support student mental health, and navigate life transitions.

Arizona Family Support

Be Connected Arizona

Connects military, veteran, and family members with employment, wellness, education, and community services throughout Arizona.

Installation School Liaisons

School Liaison Program professionals help military families connect with schools and understand educational options near Arizona military installations.

Featured Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Resources

Arizona Purple Star Schools proudly align with the Military Child Education Coalition, the national advocate for Purple Star Schools. Families may benefit from:

• Student 2 Student® (S2S) transition support programs
• SchoolQuest® school-transition planning tools
• Military Student Consultants
• Parent webinars and workshops
• Back-to-School Toolkit
• Military Child Well-Being Toolkit
• Resource Library for military families

These resources help students build connections, strengthen resilience, and successfully navigate school transitions.

Why Purple Star Matters

Military-connected students may attend six to nine different schools during their K-12 education and often experience multiple transitions throughout their academic journey. Arizona Purple Star Schools recognize these unique experiences and work proactively to reduce barriers to success, strengthen school connections, and create welcoming learning environments for every military-connected child.

We're Here to Help

Arizona's Purple Star Schools are dedicated to ensuring military-connected students remain on track academically while feeling welcomed and valued in their school communities.

If your family is preparing for a move, enrolling in a new school, or seeking support resources, connect with your local Purple Star School, School Liaison Program, or Arizona Department of Education representative.

Together, we support Arizona's military-connected students.

The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is the national advocate for Purple Star Schools. It provides states with guidance and support, as well as numerous other resources for the military-connected community.

Arizona Purple Star Schools by Region

1. Northern Arizona

Includes: Prescott, Campe Verde, Kingman, Flagstaff, Tuba City, Page. Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Ganado, Window Rock

2. Western Arizona

Includes: Yuma, San Luis, Somerton, Welton, Gadsden, Lake Havasu City, Parker, Quartzsite, Bullhead City, Vicksburg, Wenden, Ehrenberg, Salome

3. Central Arizona

Includes: Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler, Payson, San Carlos, Globe, Florence, Apache Junction, San Tan Valley

4. Eastern Arizona

Includes: Safford, Thatcher, Pima, Ft. Thomas, Clifton, Morenci, Bisbee, Huachuca City, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, Wilcox, Benson, Douglas, Elfrida, Naco

5. Southern Arizona

Includes: Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Vail, Flowing Wells, Ajo, Sahuarita, Nogales, Patagonia, Sonoita, Tubac 

(Arizona has many other cities and towns throughout the state, offering picturesque scenery and historical and cultural experiences.)

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