WILLIAMSBURG/JAMES CITY COUNTY — Williamsburg-James City County Schools announced it has expanded its support for military families by earning four new Purple Star designations for the 2025-26 school year, bringing the total number of schools in the division honored as military-friendly to eight.
According to WJCC Schools, the Virginia Department of Education awards Purple Star designations to schools showing exceptional support for military-connected students and families. Honorees must show excellence in five key areas: fostering a military-friendly environment, providing transition support to help students adjust to frequent moves, training staff to connect students with resources, encouraging student-led initiatives that build peer connections and ensuring parents have access to supports.
The recognized schools were Berkeley Middle, James Blair Middle, Clara Byrd Baker Elementary and Stonehouse Elementary. Schools earning the Purple Star designation hold the distinction for a three-year term.
“We are incredibly proud to have earned the Purple Star designation, which reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students — especially those from military-connected families. At Berkeley Middle School, we believe every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported,” said Panagiotis Tsigaridas, Berkeley Middle School principal.
“As a school with one of the largest military family populations in the area, we are thrilled to be honored with the Purple Star designation, formalizing our ongoing support of military families. This achievement reflects our commitment to create an environment in which every military family feels supported throughout their educational journey with us,” added Stonehouse Elementary School Principal Melissa White.
The division added three schools within the division successfully renewed their Purple Star designations: J. Blaine Blayton Elementary, Lois S. Hornsby Middle and Warhill High, while Jamestown High earned its initial designation in 2024.
WJCC Schools said it remains committed to “supporting and honoring the strength and sacrifice of military youth who face frequent moves, family separations during deployments and reintegration following deployments. Despite these challenges, military-affiliated students continue to demonstrate resilience and perseverance.”
As of 2024, the division noted more than 77,000 military-connected students attend Virginia public schools.
