What the Purple Star designation means
The California Purple Star School Program recognizes schools for their commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families. Reformation Lutheran School is one of only two Christian schools, and one of four private schools, in the state of California to have earned it. For a family, it means the school has a named contact for military families, policies written for the way military life actually works, and a staff that knows what a deployment or a PCS does to a seven-year-old.
Our policies for military families
- Midyear enrollment whenever there's space in the classroom, with placement handled by the teacher so your child starts at the right level.
- Remote enrollment. The first conversation, the application, and most of the paperwork can be done before you arrive in San Diego.
- Prorated tuition for midyear enrollment or withdrawal, so a family never pays for months they weren't here.
- A reduced enrollment fee for new military students.
- Tuition assistance for TK through 8th grade through a need-based application.
- Uniform clothing from our gently used store on request, so a child can start in uniform the first day.
- Preschool fee assistance. Reformation Lutheran Preschool participates in the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program (MCCYN) for Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard families. MCCYN details.
Your contact at the school
Mrs. Sarah Rodrigues, Superintendent
principal@refsd.org · (858) 279-3311
Mrs. Rodrigues is the school's military family contact. She'll walk you through the school, the enrollment process, and the parts that can be done remotely, and she can connect you with resources for your student and your family as needs come up.
Close to the bases
Clairemont sits between MCAS Miramar and the Point Loma installations, a short drive from Naval Base San Diego and Naval Air Station North Island. Shepherd's Care runs from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which matters when one parent is deployed and the other has a watch schedule.
How military families are part of the school
Every November the school marks Veterans Day with a program in the sanctuary, where veterans from Reformation families take questions from the students, and the classrooms fill with flag art and thank-you displays. Through the year, teachers watch for the students whose parent is deployed, and the whole-school atmosphere of a four-classroom school means a new student is known by every adult on campus within days.
Chaplain and ministry resources
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod maintains a ministry to the military with a national civilian chaplain, Pastor Paul Horn, at military@wels.net. WELS Ministry to the Military can connect families with congregations at the next duty station as well.
Questions from relocating families
We don't have orders in hand yet. Can we start the process?
Yes. Contact Mrs. Rodrigues and she'll start the conversation and tell you what can wait until the orders are final.
What if we leave before the school year ends?
Tuition is prorated for midyear withdrawal, and the office will send records to the next school promptly.
Do you accept the MCCYN fee assistance for the school, or only the preschool?
MCCYN applies to the preschool. For TK through 8th grade, the school offers prorated tuition, a reduced enrollment fee, and need-based tuition assistance by application.
Is there a Lutheran congregation we can join?
Reformation Lutheran Church shares the campus and welcomes school families at Sunday services. Membership isn't required to enroll.