Springfield, Franconia Area Schools Named Purple Star Schools In 2023

SPRINGFIELD/FRANCONIA, VA — Eighteen schools in the Fairfax County Public Schools division have been named Purple Star Schools, a recognition for military-friendly schools, in 2023.

Four of these schools — Lynbrook Elementary School, Rolling Valley Elementary School, West Springfield Elementary School and Rose Hill Elementary School — are located in the Springfield and Franconia areas.

The Purple Star Schools are selected by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. Schools receiving the designation must demonstrate a commitment to helping students in military families. Fairfax County has a significant military family presence given its location near the nation's capital and military bases like Fort Belvoir.

"I’m proud of FCPS’ strong partnership with our nation’s military families to help support the almost 15,000 military-connected students enrolled in our schools," said Superintendent Michelle Reid. "With the help of our Student Ambassadors at schools, military-connected students transitioning to FCPS can feel — really feel — that they belong."

Rose Hill Elementary School, for example, posted signs during their Back to School Night indicating they are a school that supports and appreciates military members and their military-connected children. Each year, the school celebrates the Month of the Military Child in April with a spirit week, featuring books in their library, creative and informative bulletin boards, and displaying photos of military-connected families and staff members.

The Purple Star Schools designation has been awarded annually since 2018. Schools earning the Purple Star must have a staff member designated as a point of contact for military students and families, providing professional learning, resources and programming on issues important to military families and have an active peer-led transition team to welcome new students from military families. At FCPS, the peer-led transition teams are student ambassadors that support military students' transition to school.

Schools maintain the Purple Star designation for three years before they must reapply. There are 69 Fairfax County public schools with a current Purple Star School designation — about a third of the schools at FCPS.

Other Purple Star Schools in Fairfax County recognized in 2023 are:

• Belle View Elementary School
• Bonnie Brae Elementary School
• Canterbury Woods Elementary School
• Centreville Elementary School
• Chesterbrook Elementary School
• Herndon Elementary School
• Katherine Johnson Middle School
• Kings Park Elementary School
• Lake Braddock Secondary School
• Lemon Road Elementary School
• Lynbrook Elementary School
• Rolling Valley Elementary School
• Rose Hill Elementary School
• South County Middle School
• South County High School
• Wakefield Forest Elementary School
• Westfield High School

West Springfield Elementary School was recognized for the second time after being recognized in the 2020-2021 school year. The other schools were recognized as Purple Star Schools for the first time.