Military Families

RSVP for Inaugural APS Military-Connected Summer Picnic by Aug. 19

APS military families, please join us for the inaugural Military-Connected Summer Picnic!
Wed., Aug. 26 from 4 – 6 pm, Alice West Fleet Elementary, hosted by Arlington Public Schools in partnership with Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

RSVPs are required by Aug. 19 to help us plan.
Use the QR code or visit: https://forms.gle/jTJjfeegEUoAqjkKA  to RSVP.

Hope to see you there!

APS Purple Star Designated Schools

Last fall, five APS schools were recognized as 2025–26 Purple Star Schools for their strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and families, reflecting APS’s continued dedication to creating inclusive, student-centered environments that meet the unique needs of military families. Currently, there are twelve Purple Star designated schools and several more applying for first-time or recertification by the VDOE.

We are committed to ensuring that our educators and other faculty and staff are informed of the military-connected students in their school and that they understand the unique considerations offered to military students and families. Please visit your student’s school website for more information. Use the “Schools” drop-down at the top of this website.

Purple Star School highlight!
News Segment on Hoffman-Boston’s Military-Connected Student Program

WJLA visited Hoffman-Boston Elementary to learn more about their Purple Star program. The school received a second Purple Star Award in 2025-26 from the Virginia Department of Education in recognition of their dedicated support of military-connected students and families.

My Army Post app is here!
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Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall School Liaison Officers (SLOs) Ms. Veronica Finney and Ms. Ayesha Mahaffey are available to assist with transitions associated with military life. Email [email protected].

Written Essay Contest for 6-8th-grade students: “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”

An opportunity for middle school students to submit a written essay expressing themselves on a democratic and patriotic theme. Enter to win a Grand Prize of $5,000. Fillable entry form here: VFW3150 webpage. Deadline Oct.31.

Audio-essay program for 9-12th-graders: “What a Veteran Taught Me About America”

A unique opportunity for high school students to express themselves on a democratic and patriotic theme. Enter to win a share of over $2 million in educational scholarships. Applications are due Oct.31.

More information at VFW website.

Listen to this!

Bridging the Gap: Military Kids and School Communities with Mark Paolicelli and Dulce Carrillo

APS’ Dulce Carrillo, Supervisor of Community Partnerships and Engagement, joins Mark Paolicelli, former Deputy Base Commander for Joint Base Meyer-Henderson Hall, to share their story of coming together to solve a collective challenge that affected each of their respective communities.

Interstate Compact

Arlington Public School adheres to the Interstate Compact §22.1-360.  The purpose of this compact is to “remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents.” To this end, APS:

• Facilitates the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensures that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of education records from the previous school district(s) or variations in entrance/age requirements.
• Facilitates the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment.
• Facilitates the qualification and eligibility for enrollment, educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic, athletic, and social activities.
• Facilitates the on-time graduation of children of military families.
• Provides for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative rules implementing the provisions of this compact.
• Provides for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under this compact.
•  Promotes coordination between this compact and other compacts affecting military children.
• Promotes flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student in order to achieve educational success for the student.