Serving Those Who Serve

Military orders don’t wait for the school calendar—and neither should your child’s education.

Louisiana helps military families plan ahead. If you are moving to Louisiana on active duty orders, your child can register for public school before your family moves to Louisiana.

The following items are needed:

1. Official military orders showing you're being transferred to a base or duty location in Louisiana.
2. A copy of the military orders should be sent to the local school system.
3. Locally required enrollment forms should be completed.
4. Proof of residency is not required immediately, but it will need to occur within 10 days of arriving in Louisiana.

Check With Your Local School System

• Each school system may have its own forms and timelines for advance enrollment.
• We recommend contacting your school system’s enrollment office as early as possible to learn about:
  • Required documents
  • School choice options within the school system

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is an agreement among all 50 states and the District of Columbia to help military-connected students experience fewer school-related challenges when moving from one state to another.

The Compact ensures that states work together to handle common issues like:

• Enrolling in a new school
• Placing students in the right classes or programs
• Handling absences related to deployments
• Staying on track for graduation

By following this shared set of rules, states help reduce disruptions and make school transitions smoother for military families.

What to Expect in Louisiana

Purple Star Schools are public schools that demonstrate a lasting commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. In Louisiana, schools that earn the Purple Star designation implement practices that align with national recommendations and research-backed strategies, helping reduce the academic and life challenges often faced by students who relocate due to military service.

To earn the recognition, schools must designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison and commit to: 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for military connected students and families
• Work to identify special considerations needed by military-connected students and families
• Develop training to inform teachers and other school personnel of those special considerations
• Create a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military-connected students and families
• Create a student-led transition program to provide peer support for military-connected students

School systems also commit to:

• Adopt a resolution stating the commitment to support military-connected students and families 
• Assign a central office staff member to be the contact for the school-based liaison and military-connected students and families