Kingstowne-Rose Hill Area Schools Earn Purple School Designation

KINGSTOWNE, VA — Schools in the greater Kingstowne-Rose Hill area have been named Purple Star Schools in 2021 for meeting the needs of students in military families.

Among the Fairfax County public schools named Purple Star Schools are Cameron Elementary School and Island Creek Elementary School. Other schools recognized include Fairview Elementary School, Ravensworth Elementary School and Waynewood Elementary School.

Schools recognized for a second time for their commitment to military families include Clermont Elementary School, Flint Hill Elementary School, Fort Belvoir Primary, Fort Belvoir Upper Elementary, Hunt Valley Elementary School and Sangster Elementary School.

The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children have named Purple Star Schools for four years. To qualify, schools must have a staff member serving as a point of contact for military students and families, demonstrate commitment to meeting needs of military students with resources and programming. Support can include academic planning and transitions between schools, districts and states.

According to a Fairfax County Public Schools news release, schools may have different programs to support military families. For example, Island Creek Elementary invites military-connected residents to meet with principals, the parent liaison, counselors, and military counselor to give families resources and help with their transition to the school.

Purple Star Schools keep their designation for three years before having to reapply. In 2018, the first year of the program, 14 FCPS schools were recognized. Schools recognized in the Franconia area were Hayfield Secondary School, Clermont Elementary School and Lane Elementary School. In 2019, 18 schools were recognized, including Franconia Elementary School, Hayfield Elementary School and Key Center School. Two FCPS schools earned the designation in 2020.