Mesa Ridge High School
Military Family Resources
Mesa Ridge High School welcomes military-connected students. Located two miles from Fort Carson Army Base, we offer a variety of support services for students and their families.
What is a Purple Star Designation?
The Purple Star School designation signals to military families that a school is committed to supporting students as they transition into a new learning environment within a new community. This designation ensures that the school provides resources to support the student's social and emotional well-being during this adjustment.
What does it take to become a Purple Star School?
- Dedicated Liaisons: Liaisons serve as a single point of contact for military families and their students, who have been specially trained to support the issues that face military families.
- Student Led Leadership: Students provide peer-to-peer support for new and continuing military-connected students to create a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Specialized Education Planning & Programs: Purple Star schools have systems and process to ensure students stay on track for academic success, have access to activities and enrichment programs, and develop a sense of belonging at their school.
With 22% of its student population being military-connected, Mesa Ridge High School is actively pursuing its Purple Star School designation to better serve these students and their families.
How We Support
Student 2 Student (S2S) Program
When students first come to Mesa Ridge, we pair them with a S2S buddy. This buddy gives new students a tour of the school, helps them learn the school, and offer to support them as they transition.
Army Youth Programs in Your Neighborhood
Army Youth Programs in Your Neighborhood (AYPYN)is a partnership between the army and school districts for youth attending secondary schools off the installation. AYPYN supported after-school programs are available Monday through Friday at no cost to the student during the school year. AYPYN sponsors high interest clubs enhancing the academic achievement, health, and well-being of students.
The program is supervised by certified district teachers and available to all Mesa Ridge students in grades 9-12. MRHS will offer a variety of academic, social, and athletic clubs dependent upon teacher availability and student interest. Daily attendance is recorded, but all clubs are voluntary. A student may attend a club from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. or from 3:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Clubs are open most school days but are subject to cancellation at any time. Student Union is open from 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and meets in the library.
The MRHS Main Office closes at 3:45 p.m. and all exterior doors remain locked after school. Please arrange for student pick-up prior to attending a club. A student may use a personal cell phone to arrange for pick-up. Permission slips are valid for and required before students can attend any club. Students may always attend Student Union Club if another club is cancelled.
We Offer
- Designated Military & Family Life Counselor
- Daily flex time during Academic Lab to get support from teachers
- 20+ after school clubs and activities
- Monthly military recruiter visits
- Special regalia at graduation for military students
Contacts
- MRHS Counseling Center
- (719) 391- 3631
- MRHS Registrar
- (719) 391-3625
- Mike Felice - Athletics & Activities Director)
- (719) 391-3614
- felicem@wsd3.org
- Mindy Blake - Military Liaison
- (71). 391-3187
- blakemelinda@wsd3.org
- Trish Wakawa - Military Family Life Counselor
- (719) 367-1409
- wakawatrish@wsd3.org
- Michelle Rose - Military Installation School Liaison Officer
- (719) 526-2463
- theresa.m.rose.5@naf@army.mil
Additional Resources
