Distinguished Purple Star Schools
FCPS is Committed to Supporting our Military-Connected Students and Families
Fairfax County Public Schools is honored to participate in the Purple Star Designation Program!
Purple Star Schools have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for demonstrating their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. These schools actively support our military-connected families in a variety of ways.
To be recognized as a Purple Star School, the schools must meet the requirements in each of these areas:
Point of Contact
The school must have a Point of Contact (POC) for its military students and families. This POC can be a teacher, counselor, administrator, or any other staff member. As POC, this individual must have completed VDOE Modules pertaining to supporting military-connected students and families.
Student Ambassador Program
Schools must offer a student-led transition program to include a student transition team coordinator. This program should provide peer support for newly enrolled and withdrawing students to include those that are military-connected. This program provides our new students with a friendly face that eases their transition during their first days at their new school.
For more information on these programs within FCPS, please visit Student Ambassadors.
Military Family Webpage
The school must have a website or links to a division-wide web page specifically dedicated to support for military families and students. These websites must include information regarding:
- Military Families: Planning your Arrival
- Military Families: Preparing your Move
- Academic Planning for Military Families
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunities for Military Children
- Special Needs Navigation and Parental Rights
It is also recommended to include information such as extracurricular activities, parent organizations, and/or an events calendar.
Professional Development
At least 70 percent of the school’s staff personnel must complete professional development regarding special considerations for military students and families and an introduction to the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Division-Wide Activities
The division provides at least one of the following:
- Opportunities for professional development pertaining to supporting military students and families
- Recognition events honoring our military students and families
- School board passes a resolution publicizing the school division’s support for military students and families
Central Office Staff Member
FCPS provides a central office staff member to be the contact for the school-based liaison and military families. Meredith Ayala, Family Partnerships Specialist, proudly serves in this role.
If your school is interested in applying for their Purple Star Designation, email Family and School Partnerships or contact Family and School Partnerships staff members:
Meredith Ayala - [email protected], Family Partnerships Specialist – Military-Connected Youth & Families
Katie Server, [email protected], Military Outreach Liaison
Each of the following schools continues to support our military-connected families in a variety of unique ways. These schools are building comradery, understanding, and fellowship within their community that benefits all students and families, with military kids’ clubs, Veteran’s Day breakfasts, advisory panels, and exceptional Student Ambassador Programs.
- Belle View Elementary School
- Bonnie Brae Elementary School
- Cameron Elementary School
- Canterbury Woods Elementary School
- Cardinal Forest Elementary
- Centreville Elementary School
- Chesterbrook Elementary School
- Clermont Elementary School
- Cub Run Elementary
- Edison High School
- Fairhill Elementary
- Fairview Elementary
- Flint Hill Elementary
- Fort Belvoir Primary School
- Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary School
- Fort Hunt Elementary
- Franconia Elementary
- Frost Middle School
- Gunston Elementary
- Hayfield Elementary
- Hayfield Secondary
- Herndon Elementary School
- Hunt Valley Elementary School
- Irving Middle School
- Island Creek Elementary School
- Katherine Johnson Middle School
- Kent Gardens Elementary
- Key Center School
- Kings Glen Elementary
- Kings Park Elementary School
- Lake Braddock Secondary School
- Lane Elementary
- Laurel Ridge Elementary
- Lemon Road Elementary School
- Longfellow Middle School
- Lynbrook Elementary School
- Mosaic Elementary
- Mount Vernon High School
- North Springfield Elementary
- Orange Hunt Elementary
- Powell Elementary
- Ravensworth Elementary School
- Robinson Secondary School
- Rocky Run Middle School
- Rolling Valley Elementary School
- Rose Hill Elementary School
- Sandburg Middle School
- Sangster Elementary School
- Saratoga Elementary
- Silverbrook Elementary
- South County Middle School
- South County High School
- Springfield Estates Elementary
- Stenwood Elementary
- Stratford Landing Elementary
- Sunrise Valley Elementary
- Terra Centre Elementary
- Twain Middle School
- Wakefield Forest Elementary School
- Washington Mill Elementary
- Waynewood Elementary School
- Westfield High School
- West Potomac High School
- West Springfield Elementary School
- West Springfield High School
- Whitman Middle School
- Woodlawn Elementary School
- Woodley Hills Elementary
- Woodson High School