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.
As part of this commitment, Utah proudly recognizes Purple Star Schools—schools that demonstrate an ongoing dedication to serving military-connected students through intentional supports, 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.
Utah Code –Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children establishes the state's participation in MIC3 and outlines its purpose of removing educational barriers for military-connected children resulting from frequent moves and parental military service.
Utah State Board of Education Rule R277-929, State Council on Military Children, establishes the State Council on Military Children and authorizes the Purple Star Schools Designation for Utah schools that meet the established eligibility criteria. This rule provides the framework for recognizing schools that demonstrate excellence in supporting military-connected students and their families.
Purple Schools Orientation- Overview of required components for becoming a Purple Star School.
Watch for big changes in August of 2026 to our website with even more information and resources for schools and military families!
Utah's Current Purple Star Schools List
2026 Purple Star School List (new and existing schools)
Google Map for all Purple Star Schools in Utah
Application for Purple Star Schools
Applications for 2026 have completed. Applications for the 2027 school year will be accepted for new schools again on January 15, 2027 and run through March 31, 2027. In addition, returning schools will submit their annual report which will also be due on March 31, 2027.
It is important to note that an application for PSS denotes programs which are currently in place and in practice for military
Reports for Purple Star Schools
A Study of the Purple Star School Designation Program Summary ReportEvery year, approximately 200,000 military-connected students in the United States transition into new schools. As cited in the 2021 CPRL report, military-connected students face a host of academic and socioemotional challenges due to frequent moves and other related circumstances
Resources for Schools and Districts
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) Utah This is the website for the commission information including members, meeting dates and times, end of year reports and minutes.
Utah Code 53G-6-306 Permitting attendance by nonresident of the state -- Tuition. Describes the rights for nonresident children of the uniformed services or DOD civilians to attend school.
4-H Military Partnerships The 4-H Military Partnership is a supportive collaboration between military and land-grant university partners whose mission is to integrate research-based 4-H positive youth development programs for military-connected children, youth and families.
Utah PTA Military Families PTA provides resources and opportunities for enriching activities for the service men and their families. Military families bring a richness of experience to their schools, their communities, and their PTA units. Contact: Jennie Taylor militaryfamilies@utahpta.org
Resources for Schools by Schools
Alpine School District Resources for Schools and Families
Resources for Educators
Resources for Families
Davis School District Resources
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- Airman & Family Readiness Center-AFRC Facebook or Facebook
- Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission MIC3
- Base Housing Hill Housing or Base Directory
- Tutor (Free Tutoring Academic Support) Military Tutor
- Starbase Hill AFB Starbase Hill
- Military One Source
- Sesame Street for Military
- Blue Star Families
- Military Family Life Counselors-MFLCs
- United Through Reading
- Gold Star Families
- United Service Organization -USO
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Veterans Administration
- U.S. Dept. of Education for Military Families & Vets or Veterans And Military Families
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General Resources for PSS
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- Military One Source Assists families if finding needed resources, financial assistance, and assistance for things like: Non-medical counseling, education and career, health and wellness, transitioning veterans, financial consultation, elder care, special needs, transition, adoption, education wounded warrior and much more. www.militaryonesource.milor 500-342-9647
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Additional Resources
Military Families Resources
USBE Military Families Resources Page
Mental Health Resources
KidsMentalHealthFoundation.org/Military
Purple Star Schools Military Child Education Coalition® (MCEC)'s Resources for states seeking to start a Purple Star School program.
Calendar
Aug. 7, 2026 – Purple Heart Day – A time for Americans to pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who were either wounded on the battlefield or paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Aug. 10, 2026 - Operation School Ready- Hill Aerospace Museum7921 Wardleigh Rd, Ogden, UT, 10am-1pm. Eligible Families: Active Duty, Guard & Reserve, E1-E6, Children entering k-6th grades, Limited 350 children.
Sept. 11, 2026 – Patriot Day – An annual observance to remember and honor those who were injured or killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.