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Education — Community — Varina — Eastern Henrico — Ward Elementary School — Lisa Coons — Virginia Purple Star schools

Henrico public school named to list of Virginia 'Purple Star' schools

,   and  Citizen Staff Reports
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The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children have recognized 190 public and private state schools – including one in Henrico – as "Purple Star" schools for their commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. This is the seventh year the designation has been awarded.

Henry Ward Elementary School in Varina was Henrico's designee this year.

Virginia, home to the largest military-connected student population in the nation, boasts 791 schools that have received the Purple Star designation since 2018. Of these, 489 maintain an active designation, while 228 have received the honor multiple times. This year, 50 schools received their second Purple Star award and 41 received their third.

“As a military spouse myself, and the mother of members of the military, I understand the unique needs our military-connected families face and the important roles our schools play in supporting them," said Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, emphasizing the significance of the initiative.

This year, Falls Church City Public Schools, Gloucester County Public Schools, and King George County Public Schools achieved "Purple Star division status," signifying that all schools within these divisions hold active Purple Star School designations. Chesapeake Public Schools, York County Public Schools, and Stafford County Public Schools maintained their "Purple Star division statuses" earned in previous years.

The Purple Star designation, inspired by the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, aims to break down barriers to academic success for military-connected children. Schools receiving the award demonstrate a commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by these students.

The Virginia Council, established in 2009 to oversee the state's commitment to the Interstate Compact, spearheaded the Purple Star designation program in Virginia. Virginia was the second state, after Ohio, to establish this program. The program has since been adopted by 43 states.

Schools awarded the Purple Star receive a certificate of recognition and a Virginia Purple Star, retaining the designation for three years before reapplying.