Moving to Washington with school-age kids

Your rights under the Military Compact

Washington adopted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in 2009 (RCW 28A.705). It covers children in kindergarten through grade 12 of active-duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve on active-duty orders, and for one year after a member is medically discharged or retired for a severe injury, or dies on active duty. It does not cover inactive Guard and Reserve, other retirees and veterans, or civilian and contract employees. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children · OSPI: Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

• Records. Ask your old school for a set of unofficial records to hand-carry. The new school must enroll and place your child using them while it waits for official records, which the old school must send within 10 days of the request. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Immunizations. Your child gets 30 days from the date of enrollment to get any immunizations Washington requires. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Kindergarten and grade level. A child already enrolled in kindergarten or first grade can continue at that grade level, and a child who finished the previous grade can enter the next grade regardless of age. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Course and program placement. The new school first honors the old school's placement in courses such as honors, AP, IB and career courses, and in programs such as gifted and English language support, when the course is offered and there is space. It may re-evaluate later. Schools may waive prerequisites. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Special education. The new district must first provide services comparable to your child's current IEP, and reasonable accommodations under Section 504, until it evaluates your child (if needed) and writes a new IEP. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children · Washington State Legislature: WAC 392-172A-03105 — When IEPs must be in effect (transfer students) · Code of Federal Regulations (Legal Information Institute): 34 CFR 300.323 — When IEPs must be in effect
• Absences for deployment. The superintendent may grant extra excused absences so your child can be with a parent who is leaving for, on leave from, or returning from a deployment. In Washington, absences related to a parent's deployment activities are an excused absence category. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children · Washington State Legislature: WAC 392-401-020 — Excused absences
• Enrollment and activities. A special power of attorney for guardianship is enough to enroll a child living with someone else while a parent is deployed, and the district may not charge tuition for it. Schools must help your child join sports and other activities even after deadlines, if the child qualifies and there is space. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
• Graduation. The district must waive specific required courses when similar coursework was completed, or explain why not. For students who arrive in grade 11 or 12, Washington accepts the old state's exit exams or other accepted tests. A senior who cannot meet Washington's requirements can receive a diploma from the old district if the student meets that district's requirements. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.705 — Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

Washington notes

• Enroll before you arrive. With official orders (or equivalent papers) for a transfer to an installation in Washington or a neighboring state, a district must accept a conditional application for enrollment and course registration before you arrive, sent by email, mail or other reasonable means. You then have 90 days after enrollment to show proof of residence in the district, such as temporary lodging, a lease or purchase agreement, or military housing. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.225.216 — Children of military families: residency, students with IEPs or 504 plans · Washington State Legislature: ESHB 2534 (2026) final bill report
• IEP and 504 records. Under the same law the district must accept your child's transferred IEP or 504 records, provide comparable services without unreasonable delay, and evaluate quickly if an evaluation is needed. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.225.216 — Children of military families: residency, students with IEPs or 504 plans
• Purple Star districts. Washington's Purple Star Award (RCW 28A.625.080) recognizes school districts, not single schools, that have a military-family web page and a trained staff contact for military families. It lasts two years, then the district reapplies. OSPI runs it with the Washington Association of School Administrators. Sources: Washington State Legislature: RCW 28A.625.080 — Purple star designation · OSPI: Purple Star Award FAQs
• Impact Aid survey. Many districts send a federal survey form asking where your child lives and where a parent works. Returning it helps the district receive federal Impact Aid money for military-connected students. Sources: U.S. Department of Education: Impact Aid — information for military staff and families
• State help. OSPI's Military-Connected Students office handles the Compact in Washington, including questions a district cannot resolve. Sources: OSPI: Military-Connected Students · OSPI: Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children · MIC3: Washington — state page

Purple Star districts

Districts with a current Washington Purple Star Award have a military-family web page and a trained staff contact.

• Anacortes School District · 2025 award (two years)
• Bethel School District · 2025 award (two years)
• Bremerton School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Central Kitsap School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Cheney School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Clover Park School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Coupeville School District · 2025 award (two years)
• Medical Lake School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• North Kitsap School District · 2025 award (two years)
• North Thurston Public Schools · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Oak Harbor School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Peninsula School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• South Kitsap School District · 2025 award (two years)
• Steilacoom Historical School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Sumner School District · 2026 award (2026–2027)
• Yelm Community Schools · 2026 award (2026–2027)