COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina is joining the national effort to ensure military-connected children are given the academic and social-emotional support needed when relocating to schools in the Palmetto State.
On Wednesday, April 7th, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster along with State School Superintendent Molly Spearman, South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Will Grimsley, and Deputy Adjutant General Jeff Jones, proclaimed April as the Month of the Military Child and emphasized the role of Purple Star Schools in South Carolina in partnership with the Military Child Education Coalition. A news conference was held at the South Carolina State House. To watch the full news conference click HERE.
The non-profit Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is the national advocate for Purple Star Schools, a grassroots initiative that encourages states and school districts to establish Purple Star School programs. The primary goal of these programs is to ensure that staff can help manage the academic requirements and planning challenges military-connected children face when they move between different schools.
These programs award Purple Star School designation to K-12 schools within the state or district that have committed to supporting military-connected children through specific measures.
To date, only Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Arkansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia (called Military Flagship Schools) and Indiana, have Purple Star School programs. Nine school districts in South Carolina are designated as Purple Star School Districts. They are:
- Aiken County Public School District
- Beaufort County School District
- Berkeley County School District
- Charleston County School District
- Edgefield County School District
- Kershaw County School District
- Richland School District 1
- Richland School District 2
- Sumter County School District
To learn more about the Military Child Education Coalition and Purple Star Schools visit militarychild.org/purplestarschools.