Strong Family Partnerships Military-Connected Student Success
After meeting in high school, starting a family and experiencing a permanent change of station (PCS), Cole and Tabitha Stauffer have experienced many life changes.
They have relocated across the country, Cole served multiple tours, and they’ve both had to learn to adapt day-by-day. Like other military families, they felt discouraged when their children’s education became another source of worry they had to face.
The Stauffers went through a PCS from Georgia to Washington with their two sons, Wyatt and Alexander.
“Moving from Georgia to Washington was daunting, and we were very nervous for Wyatt because he just didn’t enjoy school,” Tabitha said. “He was behind and it frustrated him.”
Initially, their son attended a public school in a different town in Washington. After seeing no signs of improvement, the Stauffers knew they needed a change. They heard positive things about CPSD from their fellow military families and decided to move on Joint Base Lewis-McChord for a different lifestyle and to send their children to Beachwood Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year.
“In a regular public school, students might not understand what our kid goes through as a military child, but here, everybody understands,” Tabitha Stauffer said.
They felt a shift immediately. At the open house, they requested to speak with someone about their student’s needs and were shocked by the swift response. Their son’s teachers were open to hearing their concerns and reviewed his needs with them before suggesting they work with a counselor from Madigan Army Medical Center.
“That resource has been amazing and isn’t something we’ve ever had access to off base,” she said. “Within the six months that he has been here, we’ve seen a huge change. Now he’s happy to come to school and learn.”
They have relocated across the country, Cole served multiple tours, and they’ve both had to learn to adapt day-by-day. Like other military families, they felt discouraged when their children’s education became another source of worry they had to face.
The Stauffers went through a PCS from Georgia to Washington with their two sons, Wyatt and Alexander.
“Moving from Georgia to Washington was daunting, and we were very nervous for Wyatt because he just didn’t enjoy school,” Tabitha said. “He was behind and it frustrated him.”
Initially, their son attended a public school in a different town in Washington. After seeing no signs of improvement, the Stauffers knew they needed a change. They heard positive things about CPSD from their fellow military families and decided to move on Joint Base Lewis-McChord for a different lifestyle and to send their children to Beachwood Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year.
“In a regular public school, students might not understand what our kid goes through as a military child, but here, everybody understands,” Tabitha Stauffer said.
They felt a shift immediately. At the open house, they requested to speak with someone about their student’s needs and were shocked by the swift response. Their son’s teachers were open to hearing their concerns and reviewed his needs with them before suggesting they work with a counselor from Madigan Army Medical Center.
“That resource has been amazing and isn’t something we’ve ever had access to off base,” she said. “Within the six months that he has been here, we’ve seen a huge change. Now he’s happy to come to school and learn.”
The Stauffers were also focused on ensuring their younger child’s needs were being supported. To their relief, the early learning team at Beachwood were ready with tools and resources to help him thrive both academically and social-emotionally.
“This school focuses on the individual student, their needs and their academic goals,” Cole Stauffer said. “Every educator is working to make sure each student is having their individual needs met to reach their milestones.”
The last time the Stauffers had a PCS, they spent much of their time worrying about their children’s future. After seeing their children’s immense growth at Beachwood, they’re certain the next PCS will be a walk-in-the-park for their confident, Future Ready students.
CPSD is one of 12 school districts in Washington state that has received a Purple Star Award from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for its commitment to military-connected students and families.
The award is part of a program that was established by the Washington State Legislature in 2023, and recognizes school districts that address educational, social and emotional barriers military students experience when their parents/guardians are deployed or when relocating to a different school.
“We deeply value our role in supporting military-connected students and families,” Superintendent Ron Banner said. “CPSD staff and administrators strive to ensure military students and families receive the support and understanding they deserve during their time at our schools.”
CPSD educators work to ensure that each family receives an educational experience that prepares their students for a promising future.
“Whether we relocate soon or later in the future, we know our kids are going to leave this school with a practical education.”
Cole and Tabitha Stauffer
Military Connected Family