The Florida Purple Star School of Distinction Designation was established by the Florida legislature in 2021 and further defined in Rule 6A-1.0999, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). The Florida Purple Star School District Program was established by the Florida legislature in 2024. Once awarded, schools and districts will maintain their designation as a Purple Star School of Distinction or Purple Star School District for three school years.
The purpose of the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation and Purple Star School District Program is to recognize schools that support the unique needs of military families, help military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provide resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment.
As a member of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, Florida recognizes the need to provide supports to students of military families. Today’s military children and families experience unique hardships. They move frequently and must adjust to new living environments, schools and peer groups much more than their civilian counterparts. They live through repeated cycles of separation and reunion.
The compact rules are designed to:
- Facilitate the transfer of education records and enrollment
- Promote smooth transitions to graduation
- Promote seamless transitions for course and educational placements
- Consider circumstances for excused absences
- Facilitate eligibility for enrollment in school and extracurricular participation
East Lee County High School is pleased to recommend the resources below that may assist you with a positive school experience.
Florida Department of Education Student Support Services
Military Family Resources
https://www.fldoe.org/schools/k-12-public-schools/sss/military-families/
School District Contact:
Lee County School District
Dr. Denise Carlin, Superintendent
2855 Colonial Boulevard
Fort Myers, FL 33966-1012
Supt. Phone: 239-337-8300
Fax: 239-337-8378
E-mail: [email protected]
Main Number: 239-334-1102
Military OneSource:
Mission Statement
The mission of Military OneSource and the network of Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) websites, applications and programs is to contribute to force readiness and quality of life by providing policies and programs that advance the well-being of service members, their families, survivors and other eligible members of the military community.
Vision
We will build the foundation for a continuum of support across military and civilian communities that enable service members, military families and survivors to thrive.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Military Interstate Children’s Company Commission (MIC3)
Founded in 2008, the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) is the governing body of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children or ICEOMC. Commission members include the 50 states, District of Columbia, and six ex-officio representatives – which include the US Department of Defense (USDOD). In addition to the USDOD, the Compact supports uniformed members of the federal Departments of Commerce, Homeland and Health and Human Services. The collaborative’s mission: ease the educational transitions of school-aged, military and uniform-connected students attending public schools, to include Department of Defense Education Activity schools worldwide, and promulgate and enforce the compact rules.
https://mic3.net/state/florida/
MEC SchoolQuest
SchoolQuest is a free, online tool that helps parents of military-connected children to prepare for the frequent school moves and other unique stressors of a military lifestyle that could adversely affect their academic success.
The website serves as a virtual hub where parents and students can find helpful information, tools, and resources centralized on a single platform.
https://schoolquest.militarychild.org/
BLOOM – Empowering the Military Teen
Bloom is the place you can find comfort and advice about everything military kid related: from moving tips to the top things to do at your duty station. You can also read posts from our featured authors, often other military kids who want to share their stories and connect with their community. They all offer a different perspective on military life. Bloom also highlights all the cool things military brats are doing around the world, like writing songs about their life and winning awards.
https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/
Student 2 Student
Established in 2004, Student 2 Student (S2S) is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease school transitions.
https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/student-2-student/
The School District of Lee County
Exceptional Student Education Department
https://www.leeschools.net/our_district/departments/academic_services/exceptional_student_education
External Link Disclaimer
Some pages on the East Lee County High School website may contain links to external websites. These links are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. East Lee County High School does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of information on other websites. Please note that once you leave our site, our policies no longer apply. If you have questions about the content of an external site, please contact that site directly.