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Welcome, Military Families!

Military Family Liason

Sabrina Ciolino

Sabrina Ciolino
Director Of Operations & Military Liaison
MCEC Certified
[email protected]
415-320-1401

Would you like to request a virtual meeting with me? Click this link!

Key Resources

At Peak Prep, we understand the unique challenges military families face. Our tuition-free, online program provides a flexible, stable education that moves with you, ensuring students stay on track no matter where duty calls. With California-credentialed teachers, live instruction, and personalized support, we make learning accessible anytime, anywhere.

📍 Consistent Education Through Relocations
📍 Flexible Scheduling to Fit Your Family’s Needs
📍 Strong Academic Support & Community Connection

Wherever you go, Peak Prep goes with you! 🇺🇸 Enroll today!

Military-Specific Resources

Military Family Recognition & Events

Upcoming Events: 

  • Month of the Military Child (April)
  • Military Family Month (November)
  • Guest speakers & service member appreciation
  • Filed  trips to bases
  • “Military Student of the Month” shout-outs

Transition Programs & Peer Support

Military Students Are Always Welcome at Peak Prep!

  • At Peak Prep, we proudly welcome military families with open arms and a strong support system. Each military family will receive a 1-on-1 welcome meeting with Sabrina Ciolino within the first 10 days of enrollment to ensure a smooth transition and answer any questions.
  • From there, students are paired with a dedicated homeroom teacher who is part of our Peak Prep Coalition of the Willing—a team of passionate educators committed to supporting military-connected students.
  • To help students feel connected right away, we also offer a student buddy program, ensuring new students have a friendly peer guide as they settle in.

Wherever you’re coming from, you belong at Peak Prep. ❤️🤍💙

Welcome Message from Sabrina Ciolino, Military Family Liaison

Dear Military Families,

Welcome to Peak Prep Pleasant Valley! As the Military Family Liaison, it is my absolute honor to support you and your student on this educational journey. At Peak Prep, we recognize the incredible strength, resilience, and sacrifice that comes with military life—and we are deeply committed to ensuring your family feels seen, supported, and valued every step of the way.

Whether you’re newly transitioning to our school community, preparing for a move, or navigating the unique challenges that come with military-connected life, please know that you’re not alone. We are here to help ease transitions, provide meaningful resources, and foster a sense of belonging for your student.

From personalized enrollment support and academic planning to social-emotional resources and military recognition events, our team is dedicated to serving those who serve. I’m here to be your point of contact—your advocate, your connector, and your go-to resource.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, need guidance, or simply want to connect. Together, we can ensure that your student thrives in a learning environment that understands and honors their unique experience.

With gratitude and support,
Sabrina Ciolino
Military Family Liaison

Enrollment & Transition Support

You can enroll in school immediately even without the documents normally required for enrollment, such as:

  • Proof of residency
  • Immunization records or other required health records
  • School records
  • Legal guardianship papers

Military families can enroll at Peak Prep anytime—even if enrollment is closed! Whether you’re facing a PCS or relocating within California, we offer a smooth transition and consistent, tuition-free online learning with California-credentialed teachers.

To enroll, simply provide a copy of a military order requiring your transfer to a military installation in or adjacent to the district’s attendance zone. You’ll have up to 90 days from the arrival date specified in the order to provide Peak Prep with proof of residence.

Your service matters, and so does your child’s education—we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Counseling & Social-Emotional Support

  • School counseling services contact info
    • Dr. Boe
    • Tanya Audish
  • Confidential counseling via Military OneSource

Military Family Life Counseling Program

Academic Support

  • Dual Enrollment through ASU (FREE)
  • CTE Pathways
  • Credit Recovery courses
  • Special Education Services
  • A-G and NCAA-approved courses 
  • Advanced Placement Courses 
  • Intervention Support

 

  • Free Tutoring for Military Children through Peak Prep and Tutor Me!
    Free homework help and online tutoring for students in active duty, National Guard, and Reserve families in over 40+ subjects at all skill levels.
    Learn More

Additional Info Hub

📍 External Organizations & Partnerships

Links to support organizations:

Bereavement Resources

 Support Services for Military Survivors of Servicemembers

The Spruce: https://www.thespruce.com/support-organizations-for-military-widows-2357268

  • Provides support for military widows/widowers.

Survivor Outreach Services (SOS): https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/survivor-outreach

  • Provides counseling and financial support to survivors.

Right to Remain Enrolled 

in California, students of active-duty military families have the right to remain enrolled in their current school even if their family moves due to military orders. This is protected under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which California has adopted. Additionally, California law (Education Code § 48204.3) allows military-connected students to continue attending their current school, even if they move outside the school’s boundaries.

California Education Code § 48204.6:

  • This statute allows children of active-duty military families to continue attending their school of origin despite a change in residence during a school year. Specifically:​policies.fcoe.org+2techservices.vusd.org+2Findlaw+2
    • If the student is in grades K-8, they may remain in the school of origin for the duration of the academic year.​techservices.vusd.org+1Findlaw+1
    • If the student is in high school, they are permitted to continue until graduation.​policies.fcoe.org+2techservices.vusd.org+2Findlaw+2
    • If the student’s parent or guardian’s military service ends during the school year, similar provisions apply: K-8 students can stay for the remainder of the year, and high school students can remain until graduation.​

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children:

Additional Resources:

  • California Department of Education – Military Families: Offers guidance and resources for military families regarding educational transitions.​California Department of Education
  • Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3): Provides detailed information on the compact’s provisions and member states, including California.​DoDEA+1California Department of Education+1

Deployment Resources

Military Kids Connect: http://www.militarykidsconnect.org/

  • MilitaryKidsConnect (MKC) is an online community of military children (ages 6-17 yr old) that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children from pre-deployment, through a parent’s or caregiver’s return. 

Tutoring: https://military.tutor.com/home

  • Tutoring.com for U.S. Military Families, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, is a program that provides on-demand, online tutoring and homework help at no cost to active duty service members and their eligible dependents. With live, expert tutors available 24/7, military-connected students can receive academic help at their moment of need—anywhere they have an internet connection.

Military Child Education Coalition: http://www.militarychild.org/

  • The Military Child Education Coalition provides a wealth of information and resources for military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition.

School Quest: https://www.schoolquest.org/

  • An initiative of Military Child Coalition, provides information and resources regarding state policies, credit transfers and graduation requirements in all 50 states, easing school transitions for military families.

Military Onesource: http://www.militaryonesource.mil/

  • Offers an array of resources to military families and provides counselors available via phone 24/7 for support. This is free and does not require a Tricare referral.

Operation Homefront: http://www.operationhomefront.org/

  • Operation homefront assists military families during difficult financial times by providing food assistance, auto and home repair, vision care, travel and transportation, moving assistance, essential home items, and financial assistance.

Military Family Enrollment FAQ – Peak Prep

Q: Can military families enroll at Peak Prep even if enrollment is closed?
A: Yes! Military families can enroll at any time. We honor your service by ensuring your child has access to quality education, even outside of traditional enrollment windows.

Q: What do I need to enroll my child as a military family?
A: Simply provide a copy of a military order requiring your transfer to a military installation in one of the four counties we serve (Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura).. You’ll then have up to 90 days from the arrival date listed in the order to provide proof of residence.

Q: What kind of support does Peak Prep offer to military families?
A: Each military family receives a 1-on-1 welcome meeting with Sabrina Ciolino within the first 10 days of enrollment. Students are then paired with a homeroom teacher from our Coalition of the Willing—a group of educators dedicated to supporting military-connected students.

Q: Will my child be able to make friends or feel connected?
A: Absolutely! We offer a student buddy program to help new students feel welcome and connected from day one. Our vibrant school community also includes virtual events, clubs, and optional in-person meetups.

Q: What if we move again during the school year?
A: Because Peak Prep is an online, tuition-free public school, your child can stay enrolled as long as you maintain California residency. Our flexible format makes transitions smoother during relocations.

Q: Who do I contact with questions or for help with the enrollment process?
A: Please reach out to Sabrina Ciolino, our Director of Operations and Military Family Liaison, who personally supports all incoming military families. She’ll guide you every step of the way!

Incluso si:

  • Vivienda incierta
  • Una dirección temporal
  • Sin dirección física permanente

La ley federal McKinney-Vento y las leyes del estado de California te garantizan la inscripción en la escuela si vives:

  • En una casa o apartamento con más de una familia debido a la pérdida de vivienda o dificultades económicas
  • Con amigos o familiares porque es un joven fugitivo o no acompañado
  • En viviendas precarias sin electricidad, agua o calefacción
  • En un refugio (familia, violencia doméstica, refugio para jóvenes o programa de vivienda de transición
  • En un motel, hotel o alojamiento de tarifa semanal
  • En un edificio abandonado, en un coche, en un camping o en la calle

Puedes inscribirte en la escuela de inmediato, incluso sin los documentos que normalmente se piden para la inscripción, como:

  • Prueba de residencia
  • Registros de vacunas u otros registros de salud requeridos
  • Expediente educativo
  • Documentos de tutela legal

Tu hijo puede:

  • Participar plenamente en todas las actividades y programas escolares para los que sea elegible
  • Recibir transporte hacia y desde la escuela de origen si lo solicita
  • Seguir asistiendo a la escuela en la que se inscribió por última vez, incluso si se ha mudado fuera del área de asistencia de esa escuela.
  • Calidad automáticamente para programas de nutrición escolar

Es tu responsabilidad:

  • Asegúrese de que su hijo llegue a la escuela a tiempo y listo para aprender
  • Manténgase informado sobre las reglas, los reglamentos y las actividades de la escuela.
  • Póngase en contacto con el enlace para personas sin hogar para obtener ayuda para eliminar las barreras a la educación de su hijo.
  • Asistir a conferencias de padres y maestros, noches de regreso a la escuela y otras actividades relacionadas con la escuela

No es un delito vivir en una de las situaciones anteriores y las escuelas están aquí para ayudarlo a usted y a sus hijos con la inscripción y los servicios apropiados. Esta información no será compartida fuera de la entidad educativa.

Si tienes preguntas acera de la inscripción en la escuela o para obtener ayuda con la inscripción, contacta a:

El enlace designado para las personas sin hogar (“homeless liaison”) de tu distrito escolar local:

Tanya Audish
Guidance Counselor & McKinney-Vento Liaison
[email protected]
714-485-5220

El enlace designado para las personas sin hogar de tu condado:

Cathi Nye, Coordinator
Homeless Education Program
Ventura County Office of Education
5189 Verdugo Way
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 437-1559

El coordinadora de las personas sin hogar de tu estado:

Leanne Wheeler
State Coordinator
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 6408
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 1-866-856-8214