Record Number of San Diego County Schools Among 2025 California Purple Star Schools
Forty-one San Diego County schools, the most in one year since the program began in 2021, have been recognized as 2025 Purple Star Schools. The California Department of Education’s Purple Star School Designation Program publicly recognizes schools that are committed and equipped to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
“Military families make many sacrifices for our country and we have a duty to support them however we can,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gloria E. Ciriza. “I applaud all the Purple Star designees for their efforts to make sure our students feel connected and a sense of belonging, which is critical to their success.”
The Purple Star program highlights schools that seek to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by providing the most critical transition supports. Schools in San Diego County represented about half of the 83 California schools designated as Purple Star schools in 2025.
This year, SDCOE encouraged county schools who serve military families to apply for the Purple Star designation and provided technical support during the application process, resulting in the highest number of applicants ever.
“It helps every student when we support our military-connected students, making sure they are seen, feel a sense of belonging at their school, and are set up for success, no matter how long they attend,” said Joseph Clevenger, assistant superintendent of student services and programs at SDCOE.
Throughout the year, SDCOE provides school district-designated liaisons with information, professional development, current events, data sources, and resources needed to facilitate their work and better serve the unique needs of military students and families.
San Diego County 2025 Purple Star Schools
- Carlsbad High, Carlsbad Unified
- Carlsbad Seaside Academy, Carlsbad Unified
- Carlsbad Village Academy, Carlsbad Unified
- Camarena (Enrique S.) Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Fahari L. Jeffers Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Hedenkamp (Anne and William) Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Heritage Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Muraoka (Saburo) Elementary, Chula Vista Elementary
- Fallbrook High, Fallbrook Union High
- Lakeside Farms Elementary, Lakeside Union Elementary
- Creekside Elementary, Poway Unified
- Twin Peaks Middle, Poway Unified
- Monarch, San Diego County Office of Education
- San Diego County Community, San Diego County Office of Education
- San Diego County Court, San Diego County Office of Education
- San Pasqual Academy, San Diego County Office of Education
- Canyon Hills High, San Diego Unified
- Challenger Middle, San Diego Unified
- Dana Middle, San Diego Unified
- Dewey Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Farb Middle, San Diego Unified
- Mason Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Miller Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Mira Mesa High, San Diego Unified
- Montgomery Middle, San Diego Unified
- Pacific Beach Middle, San Diego Unified
- Sessions Elementary, San Diego Unified
- Chet F. Harritt Elementary, Santee
- PRIDE Academy at Prospect Avenue, Santee
- Emory Elementary, South Bay Union
- Mission Vista High, Vista Unified
- Vista High, Vista Unified
- Bella Mente Montessori Academy
- California Pacific Charter
- Christ Lutheran Elementary
- Coastal Academy Charter
- Compass Charter Schools of San Diego
- Imperial Beach Charter
- Reformation Lutheran Church and School, San Diego Unified
- Sage Oak Charter
- San Diego Cooperative Charter
The designation lasts for three years, so these schools join 46 other county schools that were recognized in 2023 and 2024. With a total of 87 schools, San Diego County represents about half of the 179 schools across the state with the designation. Read more on the SDCOE Military Families webpage.
Read the entire article: https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/record-number-of-san-diego-county-schools-among-2025-california-purple-star-schools