The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has named eight schools as new Military Star Schools for 2026-28. This designation recognizes schools that have made a significant commitment to supporting military families and children of service members.
Military Star Schools must meet specific requirements that address the unique needs of military students and families. These include appointing a dedicated school liaison for military families, providing student-led transition services and peer support, ensuring professional development for staff to respond to the needs of military students and families, and publicly recognizing service members and their families.
There are now 103 Military Star Schools in Mississippi. The eight new schools are:
Hattiesburg Public School District
Hattiesburg High School
Jackson Public School District
Callaway High School
Jim Hill High School
Lamar County School District
Baxterville School
Lumberton Elementary
Sumrall High School
Lowndes County School District
New Hope Lower Elementary
Ocean Springs School District
Ocean Springs High School
Gov. Tate Reeves established the Military Star School program in February 2022 through Executive Order 1561, making Mississippi one of 31 states at that time with a formal program to recognize schools that support military families. In 2025, 18 schools earned the designation for 2025-27.
The Military Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. Military-connected refers to children of service members on active duty and in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Military Star School designation remains in effect for two years. Schools can reapply to maintain the designation. New schools can apply to receive the designation between Dec. 1, 2026, and Feb. 15, 2027.
To see a complete list of all Military Star Schools go to MDE’s Military Star School webpage.
Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.