STATEWIDE — Four schools in the York County School Division (YCSD) have been recognized as “Purple Star” schools for the 2021-2022 school year by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Council on Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.
There were 95 schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia that were recognized as “Purple Star” schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Schools from the YCSD included: Coventry Elementary, Grafton Bethel Elementary, Magruder Elementary, and Tabb Middle.
The Virginia Purple Star designation can only be awarded to schools that have a staff member designated as the point of contact for military students and families. The point of contact serves as the primary link between the military family and the school.
The Purple Star schools are noted for providing resources and programming on relevant issues to military families such as academic planning and transitions between schools, districts, and states.
This is the fourth year that VDOE and the Virginia Council have designated Purple Star schools. Since 2018, 258 schools have been recognized with this distinction. Schools can hold Purple Star designation for three years before being required to reapply.
For more information on the Purple Star program, readers can head over to the VDOE website.