Overview
In Wisconsin, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) offers the Purple Star School designation program. The primary goal of a Purple Star School program is to help schools with the unique needs and challenges military-connected children face when they move between schools with different curricula, expectations, standards, course offerings, extracurricular opportunities, and graduation requirements.
Military Children Face Many Challenges
Military-connected children move an average of 6-9 times during their K-12 education experience and 30% of military-connected children are between the ages of 6 and 11 years old. Wisconsin is home to more than 1,600 school age military connected children.
The Purple Star School designation recognizes schools that demonstrate a commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.
Purple Star School Program Materials
Wisconsin Purple Star School Program Overview
- Benefits of Purple Star Schools
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Purple Star Schools support the transition of military-connected students by taking the following steps:
- identifying a school liaison who acts as the point of contact for students and families and support the transition into or out of the schools,
- conducting professional development opportunities for school staff to understand and respond to the unique strengths and challenges of military students
- offering complementing programming or activities to help create social connections and celebrate military students and families, and
- providing a dedicated school webpage with resources for military families.
- Purple Star School Requirements
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Requirements Overview
- Designate a School Liaison
- Provide Staff Training
- Host a Military Recognition Event
- Offer Student Activities and Transition Support
- Maintain a Dedicated Webpage
For more detailed information on the Purple Star School designation requirements, please see the Wisconsin Purple Star School Program Overview
- Application
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The Purple Star School Program application form will open on April 1, 2026.
Purple Star School Program Application *for reference only – all applications must be submitted through the online portal starting April 1, 2026.
Application Timeline
Application Window Opens April 1, 2026 Application Deadline August 31, 2026 Purple Star School Designations Announced Fall 2026 Renewal
The Purple Star School designation is good for three years and a new application must be submitted to renew the designation. The requirements and application form will remain the same whether the school is a new or renewal applicant for the Purple Star School designation.
- Training for School Liaisons
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Review Resources
- Wis. Stat. § 14.91 and 115.997 related to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
- DPI’s Wisconsin Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children website.
Select at Least One Learning Opportunity
- Purple Star Implementation and Sustainability Workship Video (54 minutes)
- Purple Star Schools Session Videos - View one session from Ashland University’s annual convening.
- Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Learning Hub - Purple Star Schools Exemplary Practices (60 minutes)
- Purple Star School Liaisons may select alternate professional development activities related to military children to meet this requirement.
Recommended Additional Learning Opportunities
Military Children and Family Resources
The resources included below are available for educators to increase awareness and and understanding of the challenges experienced by military-connected students, provide strategies and support to students and families, and celebrate the contributions of our military families.
- Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) Resources
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MIC3 was developed to ease the educational challenges that military children encounter. Resource provided by MIC3 include:
MIC3 Guide for Schools and Parents: What is MIC3? - Quick guide that provides an overview of qualifications and transition, placement, enrollment, attendance, and graduation support.
Publications for Schools and Parents - MIC3-specific publications including brochures, bookmarks, one pager, parent guide, and Compact rules.
What is a School Liaison Officer - Role description of the Department of Defense School Liaison Officer responsible for promoting the best educational outcomes for military-connected children and youth.
MIC3 The Wire Newsletters - Monthly newsletters from the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission to provide guidance, information, and resources to assist military-connected students.
Parent Toolkit & School Toolkit - Webpages, publications, and videos to help military connected familie and educators of military connected students navigate the support provided through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and guaranteed through state legislation.
- Wisconsin Resources on Military-Connected Families
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Wisconsin Service Member Support Division - Information and communication to military members, families, retirees, organizations and communities to ensure readiness and resilience to accomplish the mission and transition back to family and civilian roles.
Wisconsin National Guard Child & Youth Program Resources - Information and resources on child/youth programs through the Wisconsin National Guard.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension's Wisconsin 4-H Military Kids website - A variety of books and resources to help support military kids.
Suicide Risk and Resilience among Military Children (45:00) - Episode 14: A podcast from the Medical College of Wisconsin, “The S Word”. Sarah Jemison, Military Family Resiliency Specialist with Seven Counties Services, Inc., talks about suicide risk and resilience among military children.
Wisconsin Legislation (Wis. Stat. § 115.997) - Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
- National Resources on Military-Connected Families
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Military Teen Toolkit - Created by the National Military Family Association for school, community, and family members to help students manage stress and affirm the positive aspects of military life.
Resources for OEF/OIF Military Families - A variety of resources including: book titles for veterans, service members, adult family members, and students; websites on topics such as benefits, emotional health, deployment, and child/youth issues; and video topics for youth, adults and care providers.
Tackling Tough Topics: An Educator's Guide to Working with Military Kids - Publication to provide educators with practical, hands-on strategies for addressing tough topics including: violence, terrorism, war; supporting military children during deployment, homecoming, and reunion; impacts of grief and loss; fostering resilience and coping with stress.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) - Support, resources, and information available to the 160 schools and one million military connected students
Military K-12 Partners - Outreach by DoDEA to support Local Education Agency's (LEA's) on academic achievement and creating positive educational outcomes for military children. School liaison officers, scholarships, resources, and training/development opportunities are offered in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education.
Military Child Education Coalition - Digital resources such as videos, webinars, and downloadable documents for students, parents, education professionals and advocates. A Military Student Consultant Call Center is available to answer questions regarding transition or the needs to best serve a military-connected child - Military Student Consultant Call Center
Military OneSource - A confidential Department of Defense-funded program that is both a call center and a website providing comprehensive information on every aspect of military life at no cost to active duty, Guard and Reserve Component members, their families and survivors. Information includes, but is not limited to deployment, reunion, relationship, grief, spouse employment and education, parenting and childhood, and much more. Learn more at the Military OneSource website, or call (800) 342-9647.
The Hardest Year is an excellent article published by the American Legion, regarding the unique stressors that face military children and how the Interstate Compact for the Education of Military Children is working to support families.
April Month of the Military Child and November Month of the Military Family - News and Events
Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen – An organization for military teens, by military teens with a team of over 70 teens stationed around the world. Bloom provides advice on everything related to the military child – moving tips, top things to do at your duty station, posts from military youth and featured authors, and updates on what cool things other military youth are doing.
Contact Information
For questions about the application process and implementation support, contact: Andréa Donegan, Education Consultant, andrea.donegan@dpi.wi.gov, (608)224-6715
For implementation partnership, resources, and additional support, contact: Shelley Joan Weiss, shelleyjoan.weiss1@gmail.com, (608) 698-2409