About

Military Family Resources

Welcome Military Families!

Lake Ridge Academy is honored to support the brave families who serve our country. We understand the unique transitions and challenges of military life, and we are committed to ensuring your child experiences stability, belonging, and exceptional learning every day. On this page, you’ll find helpful resources, guidance, and support designed to make your move to our community as smooth as possible. Whether you’re exploring schools in the area or preparing for relocation, our team is here to welcome and assist you at every step.

Military Family Liason

The Military Family Liaison acts as the point of contact for military families. Since military children move more often than their peers, these students can face social, emotional, and academic difficulties with the physical moves and deployments/post-deployment integrations. Some of the resources and support available to military families can be extended beyond the immediate family. These supports are also available to veteran families, as the impact of military service on the member and their family is long-lasting. 
The Military Family Liaison for Lake Ridge Academy is Jessica Duthie. Her husband, Senior Chief Ian Duthie, is an Active Duty member of the United States Coast Guard, currently stationed in Baltimore, Maryland, as the Engineering Petty Officer onboard the CGC James Rankin. Jessica and Ian are parents of Luke (Class of 2032) and Evan (Class of 3027). Jessica also serves the Lake Ridge community as an Upper and Middle School Math teacher, the Mathematics Department Chair, and Assistant Coach to the Middle School Soccer team.
Contact Information:
Phone: 440-327-1175, extension 295

What Is A Purple Star School?

A Purple Star School is a public or charter school that has committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children. 

These schools recognize that military-connected students must move whenever their active-duty parent receives a relocation order (called a Permanent Change of Station), and that they will uproot and change schools far more often than their civilian peers. 

In fact, a military-connected child can expect to move 6 to 9 times from kindergarten through high school graduation, with approximately 200,000 students transitioning to a new school each year.

Why Does America Need Purple Star Schools?

In every state with a military installation, there will be military-connected children transitioning into and out of nearby public schools because of a parent’s Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. 

With an estimated 1.2 million active-duty military-connected children enrolled in schools in the United States and abroad, the number of children affected by these transitions is significant. 

To date, only nine states have Purple Star School programs. MCEC’s goal is that every state in the nation should commit to our military families by initiating a Purple Star School designation program. 

Why states should start up a Purple Star Schools Program:

  • It will help military service members who make their home in your state while serving our country. The Purple Star certification indicates that a school is dedicated to helping its children gain the educational skills necessary to be life-, work-, and college-ready. The certification signals that a school supports the social and emotional well-being of military kids adjusting to new schools and the absence of a parent during deployment.
  • It aligns with your state’s commitment to helping military-connected children transition to new schools. All states have obligations under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. A statewide Purple Star School program shares the Compact’s goals of ensuring that military children transition successfully into new schools and stay on track for graduation.
  • It will help protect your state revenue. The U.S. military is now including the quality of K-12 schools near military facilities as part of its calculus in deciding future basing and personnel decisions. Communities with Purple Star Schools can help retain bases and attract military families who bring economic benefits to local communities.

Military Family Resources

37501 Center Ridge Road
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Tel: (440) 327-1175
Fax: (440) 327-3641
Lake Ridge Academy is the only independent college preparatory school on Cleveland's west side. Our co-educational curriculum offers a unique blend of academics, extracurricular activities, and a focus on character development, all on our beautiful 93-acre campus. With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, our devoted faculty provides personalized attention to help every student thrive.