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Virginia Continues to Lead the Nation in Educating Military-Connected Students
Virginia Department of Education Recognizes 288 Schools with Purple Star Designation
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children are recognizing 288 public and private schools across the Commonwealth as Purple Star Schools for their commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families. This year’s honorees include 78 schools receiving the Purple Star designation for a second time and 92 schools earning the designation for a third time.
“Virginia continues to lead the nation in educating our military-connected students. Purple Star schools are more than just military-friendly; they are student-centered, resilient, and deeply committed to removing barriers to success, in alignment with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Their work ensures that every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Emily Anne Gullickson. “Their dedication reflects the very best of Virginia’s public education system and our shared belief that every student deserves a strong start and a bright future.”
The Purple Star designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students through programs, staff training, and community engagement. Schools retain the designation for three years before reapplying.
Virginia is home to several of the nation’s largest military installations and currently serves more than 77,000 school-age military-connected students in public schools. This number does not include children of veterans attending public or private schools, who also deserve recognition and support.
“Virginia’s recognition as a national leader in supporting military-connected students reflects our deep respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve — and for their families who serve alongside them. The Purple Star Schools embody the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring that every military child receives stability, opportunity, and excellence in education. Their continued success underscores the strength of our partnerships between schools, communities, and military installations across Virginia,” said Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, Craig Crenshaw.
Since the program’s launch in 2018, VDOE and the Council have awarded 1,083 Purple Star designations, with 593 schools maintaining active status. Of these schools, 298 have earned the award twice, and 132 schools have earned it three times. In addition, Hampton City Public Schools, Isle of Wight County Public Schools, and Portsmouth City Public Schools have achieved Purple Star division status. To reach and maintain Purple Star division status, all schools in the school division must have an active Purple Star School Designation. Chesapeake City Public Schools, Stafford County Public Schools, and York County Public Schools are once again maintaining their Purple Star School division statuses.
“We are honored that Hampton City Schools has been designated as a Purple Star School division,” said Superintendent of Hampton City Schools, Dr. Raymond Haynes. “This recognition reflects our deep commitment to the military-connected students and families who are such an important part of our community. With Hampton being the home of Joint Base Langley-Eustis and other installations in close proximity, our military partnerships truly strengthen who we are as a division. This honor also speaks to our collective effort to live by our mantra—One Community, One Transformation: Excellence with Intentionality. Together, we are building a culture of care, connection, and excellence for every student.”
“Spotsylvania County Public Schools is proud to receive the VDOE’s Purple Star designation, which honors our commitment to serving the unique needs of military-connected students and their families,” said Superintendent of Spotsylvania County Public Schools, Dr. Clint Mitchell. “We recognize the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of our military community and are dedicated to ensuring that every child feels welcomed, supported, and positioned for success in our school division.”
“The Purple Star recognition ensures that schools and divisions surrounding Marine Corps Base Quantico can help manage the challenges military-connected children face when they move between schools with different cultures, curricula, standards, course offering, schedules, and graduation requirements,” said Marine Corps Base Quantico, National Capital Region School Liaison Penny Rowley. “When a school or division has received this great honor, it gives our military community a sense of comfort knowing their children will be taken care of and supported while stationed in the area.”
“The Purple Star Award has heightened awareness of our support for military families. With the guidance of our School Liaisons from the Marine Corp Base Quantico, we are more prepared than ever to WELCOME new families to their new community and new schools,” said Fredericksburg City Public Schools Division Community Liaison Sandy Gillenwater.
The 2025-26 Virginia public and private schools that have earned a Purple Star award are as follows, by division. Those with two asterisks (**) are receiving their second Purple Star award, and those with three asterisks (***) are receiving their third award.
The Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact was established in 2009 to ensure the successful implementation of the Compact, which aims to remove educational barriers for children of military families. Virginia was the second state to adopt the Purple Star program, following Ohio. Today, 48 states have implemented the initiative.
“As we developed the original framework of this “PreK12-MIL” initiative in the Buckeye State during the School Years 2015-2017, we presumed this special initiative was just for us. But thanks to our great education and military colleagues like Dan Dunham, of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as the home to the highest enrollment of active duty-connected military students, who directly support this sacred and shared mission, we here in America became a Purple Star nation,” said Ohio State Commissioner for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Pete LuPiba. “Some 45 Purple Star states now host more than 10,000 Purple Star schools, all because Ohio and Virginia led first. And now as we continue our collaboration, labor, and partnership within this grand coalition of the willing - the needle is moving, and the ink is all purple. The United States Armed Forces-connected child, from Active Duty to Reserve Duty to National Guard to veteran and sibling status, will always be our mutually honored focus. Thanks to our “MIL Kids” serving too and leading all the way by bearing true faith and allegiance.”
For more information about Virginia’s Purple Star Schools, visit the VDOE website.
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