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Connecting children of military families to new schools in order to help them continue navigating through their education successfully are pillars of the Purple Star schools program.

In 2008, Kansas was the first state to join the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, or MIC-3, that supports this vital program. This year, the Kansas Military Children’s Education Council chose Maize USD 266 and St. Francis Xavier, in Junction City, to join the nine Kansas districts already with the Purple Star designation. St. Francis Xavier is the first private school in Kansas to receive the honor. 

Dale Brungardt is the director of school finance and oversees the agency’s Purple Star program at the Kansas State Department of Education. He told members of the Kansas State Board of Education earlier this spring that military children face unique challenges and the Purple Star designation denotes schools who help military-connected students stay on track to graduate. He said the program ensures military children “receive the education they truly deserve.” 

Dr. Raquel Greer, superintendent of Maize USD 266, said her district has a webpage dedicated solely to providing information for military families. She also said the district makes sure new military-connected students immediately feel welcome with a lunch buddy system and other activities to acclimate them to their school. 

“We also have multiple service recognition activities going on,” Greer told board members. “I'm very proud to say that every single school in Maize does this work.” 

Dr. Lindsay King, director of Maize USD 266’s career and technical education (CTE) and the point of contact for the district’s Purple Star program, said having an extensive military background herself, she cares deeply for military students and is passionate about helping them succeed. 

“Military-connected students often face challenges when transferring to schools,” King said. “To ensure access and remove barriers for our students, we carefully consider the prerequisites for our courses. We also provide transportation and no fee for courses and supplies for students. Our strong partnership with McConnell Air Force Base allows us to support military connected families and students.”

King said Maize USD 266’s college and career advocate meets with every military connected student to assist with scholarships, connect them to resources, and share information on accessing GI benefits. She said the goal is to keep these students in Kansas, if possible, after graduation. She also said the Maize High School cheer squad and their sponsor, Katie Jennings, continue to support the Kansas Honor Flight program with fundraising activities.

Shawn Augustine, principal of St. Francis Xavier, said the smaller size of his school lends itself to welcoming military-connected students who comprise 60% of the student body. The Purple Star program lets military families know there will be immediate and ongoing support for them when they begin their service at the nearby U.S. Army’s Fort Riley.

“We already build those relationships really strong, whether you're military or not, so transitions overall are very smooth,” he said. “Families feel very comfortable coming into our school and that's what we're all about is building family.” 

Military veterans and their family members are also on the staff of the school founded in 1871.   

Kara Guthrie, a U.S. Army veteran and the seventh- through 12th grade science teacher at St. Francis Xavier, said the school hosts military parents who come to classrooms and share their knowledge and demonstrate their skills.

“Everyone who thinks military, they think soldier. Well, that's not just what we do,” she said, adding that she once served as a medical laboratory technician in a hospital. “We’re trying to incorporate more of the expansiveness that is the military.”

Guthrie said St. Francis Xavier’s student-led transition teams will also play a large role in the success of welcoming military students and their families into the school’s community.

“We match up current and new students together because no one makes friends faster than a military kid,” she said. “If you ever seen them on the playground, 30 seconds or less they can make a friend.” 

Guthrie said the school staff will also hold age-appropriate monthly meetings with new military-connected students to focus more on their individual needs. 

Brungardt said an estimated 9,500 Kansas students are contacted with active duty military members, the majority of them clustered around Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley and McConnell Air Force Base. He said there are about 12,000 students connected to the National Guard and reserve units across the state in 165 districts and five private accredited systems. 

In addition to Maize USD 266 and St. Francis Xavier, the other Kansas districts with the Purple Star designation are the following:

• Derby USD 260
• Emporia USD 253
• Fort Leavenworth USD 207 
• Geary County USD 475
• Leavenworth USD 453 
• Mulvane USD 263
• Piper USD 203
• Rose Hill USD 394
• Spring Hill USD 230

For more information about the Purple Star program in Kansas, contact Dale Brungardt.