Why Organizing Your Child’s School Records Matters — Especially for Military Families

Let’s face it—between PCS moves, new schools, IEP meetings, report cards, and sports forms, a military child’s education journey is anything but linear. If you’ve ever scrambled to find an immunization record or re-filled out the same paperwork again because a copy was lost in the shuffle, you’re definitely not alone.

According to the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), military children move an average of six to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation. Each transition brings its own set of academic, social, and emotional challenges—and keeping track of your child’s educational records can make a world of difference in easing those transitions.

Why School Records Matter

Educational records aren’t just “nice to have”—they’re often essential for enrollment, class placement, special education services, gifted programs, extracurriculars, and even graduation. Without them, your child may:

• Repeat coursework unnecessarily

• Miss out on honors or advanced classes

• Experience delays in receiving services (like speech therapy or 504 plans)

• Lose valuable extracurricular or scholarship opportunities

By keeping these documents accessible and up-to-date, you’re not just staying organized—you’re advocating for your child’s academic success and emotional well-being.

What to Keep in a School Records Binder

MCEC recommends families keep a portable, organized file of essential education documents—especially when preparing for a move. These should include:

• Report cards & transcripts

• Standardized test scores

• IEP/504 plans or evaluation reports

• Immunization records

• Birth certificate & proof of residency

• Teacher notes & communication logs

• Extracurricular involvement & awards

• Reading or math level assessments

• Any disciplinary documentation (if applicable)

It may sound like a lot—and it is! But having it all in one place can save you hours (or days) of frustration and back-and-forth emails to the school registrar...

The Easy Way to Stay Organized

That’s where List & File Education Binders come in. We’ve designed our binders specifically with military families in mind. Each set of tabs includes:

• Pre-labeled tabs so you don’t have to guess what goes where

• Oversized width that provides both space and visibility

• Durable material built to handle cross-country moves and years of use

• Kid-approved designs so your kiddos are just as excited to organize as you! ;)

Whether you’re preparing for your first PCS or your fifth, our Education Binders help ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

Peace of Mind for You—and Your Child

When you’re organized, it’s not just the school that runs more smoothly—it’s your whole life. Imagine walking into a new school office with everything ready to go, confidently advocating for your child with documentation in hand. It sends a powerful message:

 “We’re ready. We’re informed. And we’re here to support our child’s success.”

Ready to get organized? Check out our Education Binder Collection and make your next school transition one less thing to stress about.

Because when you’re raising resilient, world-traveling kids—you deserve tools that move with you.