8 Loudoun Schools Earn Military-Friendly Purple Star Status

ASHBURN, VA — Every year, the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children recognize schools meeting the needs of military families with a Purple Star designation. Eight schools in Loudoun County Public Schools have earned the designation in 2024.

Schools earning the Purple Star are Brambleton Middle School, Broad Run High School, Independence High School, John W. Tolbert Elementary School, Little River Elementary School, River Bend Middle School, Smart’s Mill Middle School and Stone Bridge High School.

Schools keep the designation and can reapply after three years. Brambleton and River Bend Middle Schools were recognized for a second time after earning the designation in 2021. Other LCPS schools that received the Purple Star designation in previous years were Belmont Ridge Middle School, Cardinal Ridge Elementary School, J. Michael Lunsford Middle School, Legacy Elementary School, Madison’s Trust Elementary School, Riverside High School, Rock Ridge High School, Stone Hill Middle School, Trailside Middle School and Willard Middle School.

The Purple Star Schools designation has been awarded annually since 2018. Schools earning Purple Star designation must meet requirements such as having a staff contact for military students and families, providing professional development for staff on military-connected students' needs, having a division-wide page on military student and family support, coordinating a student-led transition program and completing at least one division-wide activity.

Loudoun County has a notable military family presence as part of the national capital region with federal facilities for military personnel. According to Census data from 2018 to 2022, the county has an estimated 23,111 military veterans.

"Virginia is home to the largest population of military connected children in the country," said Virginia's Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. "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. I am proud that so many of Virginia’s schools are stepping up to support the children of our service members, and I am proud to recognize their commitment to those who serve our nation."

Overall, 190 Virginia public and private schools earned the Purple Star designation this year, which includes 41 first-time recipients. Falls Church City Public Schools, Gloucester County Public Schools, and King George County Public Schools have earned the Purple Star division status for all of their schools having the designation. Chesapeake Public Schools, York County Public Schools and Stafford County Public Schools have already achieved and maintained division status.