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Alabama’s Purple Star School Program

Alabama Purple Star SchoolsThe Alabama Purple Star Schools Program and Committee, established by Legislature with the passage of Act 2021-7 New Window, recognizes the efforts of the K-12 schools in the state that are committed and supportive of military students, and their families, as they transition to their new homes and schools. The Purple Star School program was designed to help mitigate the challenges of high mobility by setting standards for and publicly designating military-friendly schools. The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on site.

 

A school will be designated a Purple Star School if it completes all the required activities, plus one optional activity, listed below. The Purple Star Committee determines a school’s eligibility for the award.

Application

Applications to become a Purple Star school will open November 1. Applications will be due by December 31. Interested schools are encouraged to begin required and optional activities to support military-connected students and families in preparation for their application. If you have questions about the application process or your school’s status as a Purple Star school, email

How to Qualify

Required Activities

  • The school must have a staff point of contact for military students and families who serves as the primary liaison between them and the school.
  • The liaison completes professional development on special considerations for military students and families.
  • The liaison identifies and informs teachers of the military-connected students in their schools and the special considerations military families and students should receive.
  • The school maintains a dedicated page for the Purple Star Program on its website featuring resources for military families.
  • The school must maintain a student-led transition program with a faculty or staff advisor. This program should provide peer support for newly enrolled and transitioning students.

Optional Activities

  • The school provides professional development for additional staff on special considerations for military students and families.
  • The local school board passes a resolution publicizing the school’s support for military children and families.
  • The school hosts a military recognition event that demonstrates a supportive culture.
  • The school establishes a partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for military members to volunteer at the campus, speak at an assembly, or host a field trip.

Checklist

Alabama Purple Star School Application ChecklistNew Window

Purple Star School Listing

Purple star school list 2024New Window

Military Family Resources

  • Alabama’s Heroes Welcome InitiativeNew Window — The Heroes Welcome Initiative works together with representatives located in communities across Alabama and is committed to providing military families with information and resources available.
  • Alabama Department of Veterans AffairsNew Window — Provides comprehensive care and quality service to Alabama’s veterans, and their families, with regard to health care, education, disability benefits, long-term care, and burial honors.
  • Military Interstate Children’s Compact CommissionNew Window Alabama is one of 50 states involved in the Interstate Compact for Educational Opportunities for Military Children, which is working to ensure that military children are properly enrolled in schools, have eligibility for school activities and have assistance in meeting graduation requirements.
  • The Alabama Military Stability Commission and Alabama Military Stability FoundationNew Window – The Military Stability Commission, chaired by Lt. Governor Will AinsworthNew Window and Military Stability Foundation work in conjunction to proactively ensure the stability of Alabama-assigned DOD resources by study and evaluation of all currently assigned military forces or civilian contractors and the move of these resources within, to, and from the State of Alabama. The operational arm of the Military Stability Commission, the Military Stability Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation which was incorporated in September 2011. The Foundation works directly with the Commission, Alabama-assigned DOD installations, and the communities that surround and support them to develop and implement measures to retain and strengthen Alabama’s military assets and infrastructure and to assist in preparations for any impending Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) or similar process.
  • Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC)New Window– The Military Child Education Coalition’s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation and transition. | Voice for the Military Child: a newsletter for friends of the MCECNew Window
  • Touching BaseNew Window– Touching Base is a quarterly U.S. Department of Education newsletter for the military community.

Contact

Please email with any questions regarding Alabama’s Purple Star School Program.