Oh no! Your military family is moving this summer, which means new schools. Never fear! We’re going to share an easy way to build your military child’s School PCS Binder!
Just a reminder: nothing on this website or in this article is considered to be or should be construed as legal advice. I am not a lawyer and am not qualified to provide legal advice. Any action you do or do not take when advocating on behalf of your child’s education is, as always, your own.
Easily Create a School PCS Binder
Moving with the military is anything but simple. Mostly, it’s a lot of hurry up and wait. But also it’s endless paperwork: forms from the movers, hard copies of military orders, all the papers the active duty member has collected over their career, physical copies of medical records.
Oh, and all things K-12 school for your military child(ren).
Because getting your child from School A to School B does require organization, thought, and follow through – from you.
After moving around the world with my spouse, and now children, since 2008, I realized that military families needed something easy to help create order from the chaos.
Which is why I launched the Stress Free PCS for School book!

Why Should I Organize My Child’s School Documents?
Enrolling in school is like buying a house. Basically, you’re going to need to share everything about your child, your family, and your life very quickly.
Keeping all of these documents in one place, like a binder, makes it super simple to keep track of all the things. It also makes it very easy to locate and share the correct documents right away. When you’re attempting to enroll a child in school, especially mid-year, you do not want to waste time digging through cardboard boxes.
What Makes Stress-Free PCS School Binder Better Than What I Can DIY?
Truthfully, if you can DIY a binder that makes sense for your family, have at it! There is nothing that makes this system “better” than anything else.
Except that I’ve added in:
- printable binder section organizers – slip them into page protectors and check off documents as you add them
- different checklists for special education, gifted education, 504 Plans, medical info and general enrollment requirements
- worksheet to help you locate your ideal home AND your ideal school
- checklist to help your child acclimate to the new school quickly
- timelines to ensure a smooth transition
- exact emails to send for special education gifted education, and requesting letters of recommendation
- cheatsheets to help you understand MIC3 policies and education laws like IDEA and Section 504 of the ADA
- templates for requesting support from your current school
- lists of questions to ask schools before you enroll





This means that I’ve done the hard work for you – thought of the what-ifs, maybes, and how abouts.
Who Is the Stress-Free PCS School Binder For?
It’s for you! Whether you are new to moving with school-aged kids or a more seasoned parent, you will find incredibly useful information in this book.
If your child has a new education plan, you might be feeling overwhelmed with questions.
- What if the new school doesn’t offer what my child needs?
- Will the plan move with me?
- How do I know where to enroll my child?
And I’ve broken down all the information you need to really understand the ins and outs of moving with an IEP, 504 Plan, or gifted education plan. Your school PCS binder will point you in the right direction to ask the right questions and understand your basic rights in public schools around the US. You’ll feel totally confident knowing you have all the tools you need to make the best decisions for your child.
If you are moving with a high school student, it’s a whole new ball game! Suddenly, you’re dealing with transferring credits and continuing with extracurricular activities. No worries, I’ve got you covered! You’ll feel ready to:
- ensure that credits transfer so your child graduates on time
- communicate with the new school
- advocate for your child
- use MIC3 to keep things moving smoothly
For parents who are new to K-12, everything can feel very overwhelming all at once. You might be wondering:
- What do I need to do before I leave this location?
- What documents should I have on hand to enroll ASAP once we arrive?
- How do I find a good school for my child?
I was in this exact thought spiral in 2019, when we moved with a brand new kindergarten student. As I was prepping my own binder to move and enroll, I added tools to the school PCS binder so that you aren’t dealing with the same questions.
Now, you have checklists to help you organize paperwork to cover medical forms, proof of residency, and finding a wonderful school no matter where you’re stationed.
Why Should I Invest in the School PCS Binder System?
Now, this is a very personal decision. I cannot and will not tell you how to spend your hard-earned money. So, if you’ve gotten to this point in the post and you’re not ready to buy, that’s okay!
You’ve picked up several tips and tricks to help you create a system that keeps your child’s school paperwork organized and ready to be shared for enrollment.
But if you would like some support with:
- knowing which questions to ask before you choose a home and school
- thinking through what paperwork to have on hand
- understanding how to move with a high school student
- seamlessly transferring your child’s education plan to a new school
The school PCS binder might just be for you!

Stress Free PCS: School Guide
Make your PCS with school-aged kids super stress-free with the ultimate guidebook for military families on the move!