2 Franconia Area Schools Named Purple Star Schools

FRANCONIA, VA — Two schools in the greater Franconia area have been designated Purple Star schools for being military friendly. Franconia Elementary and Hayfield Elementary, two schools located close to Fort Belvoir, are among 18 Fairfax County public schools earning the designation. They were recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

Purple Star schools must demonstrate commitment to meeting needs of military families. To qualify, schools must have a point of contact for military students and families. In addition, the schools must provide resources and programming on issues important to military families, which could include academic planning and transitions between schools, districts and states.

Fairfax County Public Schools offers online planning resources for military families, covering moves to and from the county, academic programs and more. The 18 Fairfax County public schools named Purple Star schools are: Fairhill Elementary, Fort Hunt Elementary, Franconia Elementary, Gunston Elementary, Hayfield Elementary, Key Center, Laurel Ridge Elementary, Mosby Woods Elementary, Mount Vernon High, Orange Hunt Elementary, Riverside Elementary, Sandburg Middle, Saratoga Elementary, Stratford Landing Elementary, Woodson High, Whitman Middle, Washington Mill Elementary, and Woodley Hills Elementary.

This is the second year the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children have awarded the designation. Schools maintain the designation for three years before they must reapply.

Last year, the district had 14 Purple Star schools. Hayfield Secondary School, Clermont Elementary School and Lane Elementary School earned the designation in 2018.