FCPS on Its Way to Becoming Purple Star School Division
Last fall, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid announced a goal for FCPS to become a Purple Star Division by the 2026-27 school year . Virginia school districts are awarded Purple Star Division status with 100% of their schools earning and/or maintaining their Purple Star Designation.
Virginia’s Purple Star Designation program recognizes schools for excelling in their support of military-connected students. “When a family member serves in the military, everyone in the family serves,” said Dr. Reid.
More than 13,500 military-connected students are enrolled in FCPS. The division currently has 96 Purple Star Schools . One of them, Daniels Run Elementary School, created the display above to showcase its support for military-connected students this month for Month of the Military Child.
FCPS expects approximately 95 schools to earn or renew their Purple Star status this year. This will bring FCPS close to having 75% of its schools recognized.
To reach the goal of all 200+ schools earning the designation, the FCPS Office of Family and School Partnerships, which supports the work of this plan, offers support to schools new to the application process and military culture.
Although the Purple Star Designation was created for military families to be able to recognize schools with a welcoming culture, Dr. Reid hopes that all FCPS principals will take on this additional project.
“The Purple Star Designation supports an inclusive and welcoming school culture for all students and families,” she said. “Therefore, it is beneficial for ALL schools to have the designation, no matter what percentage of their student body are military-connected. At FCPS, one of our strengths is our wonderful diversity. We celebrate the unique qualities that each and every student brings to our community.”
A positive school climate where students feel like they belong is part of FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan Goal 2: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.
Learn more about how FCPS supports military families .
