Military Families

Purple Up! for Month of the Military Child April is the Month of the Military Child

Governor McAuliffe has issued a certificate of recognition (PDF) proclaiming April 2016 as the Month of the Military Child, a special time to celebrate and honor our military-connected children and their families. Throughout the nation and commonwealth educators and communities will take time in April to recognize the contributions of children whose parents serve in the military.

One way to celebrate the Month of the Military Child is by wearing purple on April 15. For additional ideas and materials for your Month of the Military Child celebrations see Month of the Military Child. We encourage schools to use these materials and ideas in planning Month of the Military Child activities throughout April.

Children of the Deployed

View a montage of testimonies of military students, describing their feelings on what it is like being part of a military family.

See Military Family Resources for additional information from organizations that support military families.

Virginia is home to some of the nation's largest and most important military installations, so it is not surprising that the commonwealth's schools educate more military children than almost any other state. In nearly every community in Virginia, there are children with parents or guardians on active duty with the armed forces. As of September 2015, the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) estimates that there are 71,655 school age military-associated children of active duty members in Virginia.

Frequent moves, family separations through deployments, and reintegration following deployments can make school-, home-, and community-life challenging for military children. Yet, even in such circumstances, these students continually demonstrate resilience and perseverance. Their contributions to our schools and communities also include unique and valuable perspectives on learning, friendship, and growing up.

Virginia is a proud member of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and is committed to the care and education of the children of the men and women of our armed forces. By partnering with school liaison officers, military leaders, educators, and community organizations, the Virginia Department of Education provides resources and support for military service children and their families during all stages of transition and deployment.

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