Purple Star Award
The Purple Star Award is a designation for schools that display a special commitment to military children and their families.
Common Ground partners review applications, and the West Virginia Department of Education issues awards to schools meeting the award’s eligibility criteria. Awarded schools receive an official certificate and additional electronic materials, which may be used to pridefully display their status as a military-friendly school throughout the building.
To learn how your school or school district may become recognized as a Purple Star Award school, please review the application below or contact WVDE Coordinator, Robert Mellace or call 1-833-627-2833. Schools will be recognized for three years.
Press Releases
- First Class of Purple Star Award Recipients – December 7, 2021
- Second Class of Purple Star Award Recipients – May 12, 2022
- Third Class of Purple Star Award Recipients – May 25, 2023
- Fourth Class of Purple Star Award Recipients – May 2, 2024
National Research
- National Study of the Purple Star School Designation Program (PDF) – from Columbia University, published in 2020.
- Updated National Study of the Purple Star School Designation Program (PDF) – from Columbia University published in 2023.
State Research
- Ongoing Purple Star Award Research Results (PDF)
Preliminary results of an ongoing 1st and 2nd Class award recipient survey on the statewide impact of the Purple Star Award in West Virginia – Published by the WVDE on January 3, 2025.
*Final survey results will become available in May 2025
Summary
- Summary of the Purple Star Award in West Virginia (PDF) – Published June 2024
Contact Us
Learn how your school or school district can be recognized as a Purple Star Award school.
