Purple Star Schools

Overview

Utah is committed to supporting military-connected students and their families by reducing the educational challenges that can accompany military service. To help ensure smooth school transitions, Utah adopted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3), which removes barriers to educational success caused by frequent relocations and parental deployments for Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve families.  Utah’s Military Interstate Children’s Commission (MIC3) Commissioner is Ben Rasmussen. http://www.mic3.net 

As part of this commitment, Utah proudly recognizes Purple Star Schools—schools that demonstrate an ongoing dedication to serving military-connected students through intentional support, transition assistance, and family engagement. Purple Star Schools go beyond basic requirements by creating welcoming environments and providing ongoing resources that help military-connected students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Mission

Utah Purple Star Schools partner with families, educators, military installations, and communities to ensure military-connected students experience smooth transitions, equitable educational opportunities, and a school environment where they feel welcomed, supported, and prepared for success.

Vision

To create a statewide support network where every military-connected student and family is welcomed, understood, and valued, receives consistent support through every transition, and is empowered to achieve their highest potential without disruption. 

Purple Schools Orientation powerpoint- Overview of required components for becoming a Purple Star School.

Purple Star Schools Orientation in pdf form.

Statement, History and Purpose of Purple Star Schools

Utah's Current Purple Star Schools List

Current PSS Schools Link: 2026 Purple Star School List (new and existing schools) 

Google Map for current PSS Schools:  Google Map for all Purple Star Schools in Utah 

Applications for Purple Star Schools

New School Applications

Live Application link to become a new PSS (live on January 15th)--This will not become public until January 15th of 2027.  For a sample of the questions asked, please see our training resources for required components. See the Existing School Sample Application for Reference.   See the New School Sample Application for Reference. (coming soon)

Renewal Applications for Existing Schools

Live Application to renew PSS (live on January 15th)--This will not become public until January 15th of 2027.  For a sample of the questions asked, please see our training resources for required components. See the Existing School Sample Application for Reference. (coming soon)

Standard Operating Procedures for New and Existing Schools

• • • • Sample Renewal Application - Coming Soon
      • Sample New School Application - Coming Soon
      • Purple Star School Statement of Purpose (SOP 100)
      • Application Review Committee  (SOP 101)
      • Master Calendar for Purple Star Schools (SOP 102)
      • Procedure for Application Submissions  (SOP 103)
      • PSS Application Standards and Requirements  (SOP 104)
      • School Ongoing Support and Excellence Process (SOP 106)
      • **General Guidance for Purple Star Schools Best Practices (SOP 107)
      • Definitions (SOP 108)
      • **How to Apply as a New School (SOP 109)
      • **How to Re-apply as an Existing School (SOP 110)

An Important Consideration for your School and District

Why Use a Voluntary Military-Connected Student Indicator?  Utah encourages schools to include a voluntary military-connected student indicator during enrollment. This optional identifier helps schools recognize military-connected students and connect them with the resources and support.

Military-connected students may experience unique challenges, including frequent school transitions, parental deployments, and changing family circumstances. By voluntarily identifying these students, schools can provide timely support, connect families with the school's Purple Star Point of Contact, and ensure they are aware of programs and resources designed to help students successfully transition and thrive.

The voluntary military-connected student indicator is used solely to improve communication and student support. It is not used to determine enrollment eligibility or educational opportunities.

General Resources: School, Student, Parent

  National

o   Military Interstate Children’s Compact (MIC3) https://mic3.net/

o   Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) https://militarychild.org/

o   U.S. Department of Education – Veteran and Military Families https://www.ed.gov/higher-education/veterans-and-military-families/education-benefits-military-personnel-and-their-families

o   Military One-Source Pre-K to 12 Education https://www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/pre-k-to-12-education/

 State of Utah

o   Utah State Code/Statue https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title53E/Chapter3/53E-3-P9.html?v=C53E-3-P9_2018012420180124

o   Utah Department of Veteran & Military Affairs https://veterans.utah.gov/

o  Utah High School Athletic Association – Student Transfer https://www.uhsaa.org/transfer/

o   Utah Parent Center https://utahparentcenter.org/

o   Utah Military Interstate Children’s Compact https://mic3.net/state/utah/

o   Utah PTA – Military Families https://www.utahpta.org/military-families

o   Safe UT – Real Help for Real Concernshttps://safeut.org/

o   Utah Universities and Technical Colleges https://ushe.edu/

Community

o   Blue Star Families – Utah https://bluestarfam.org/chapters/utah/

o   National Military Family Association https://www.militaryfamily.org/

o   Sesame Street for Military Families https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/

o   4-H Military https://www.4-hmilitarypartnership.org/

o   Our Military Kids https://www.ourmilitarykids.org/

o   Waterford Upstart Early Learning https://www.waterford.org/upstart/

o   Tutor.com https://www.tutor.com/

o   United Through Reading – Military -https://unitedthroughreading.org/

Military

o   Military School Liaison Program

• • • • Dugway Proving Grounds https://dugway.armymwr.com/programs/family-advocacy-program
      • Hill Air Force Base https://hillfss.com/school-liaison-program/

o   Hill Air Force Base Military & Family Readiness Center https://hillfss.com/military-family-readiness-center/

o   Utah National Guard Family Programs https://guard.utah.gov/family-assistance-and-readiness/

o   Dugway Proving Grounds Family Advocacy Program https://dugway.armymwr.com/programs/family-advocacy-program

o   Utah Military District Support Teams

• • • • Alpine School District

https://www.alpineschools.org/page/purple-star-schools/

• • • • Davis School District https://www.davis.k12.ut.us/page/military-support-team
      • Ogden School District https://www.ogdensd.org/?q=military&secondary_organizations=27115
      • Weber School District https://sites.google.com/wsd.net/militaryfamilysupport/who-we-are
      • Tooele School District https://www.tooeleschools.org/about-us/about-tooele-county-school-district

Utah Military and Veteran Resources https://veterans.utah.gov/

Military Spouse Teaching Licensure Requirements https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/military-resources/

Events

Utah Purple Up:  April 15th of every year.  Purple Up Day is officially recognized on this date as a part of Month of the Military Child.  Citizens, schools, and communities wear purple to show visible support and appreciation for military children.

Month of the Military Child:  Always in the month of April every year.

Meaning of Purple:  It blends the colors of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force.  Governor Spencer Cox’s Declaration for 2026.  

For Additional Information and Questions, Please Contact: