The Arkansas Purple Star School Award

The Arkansas Purple Star School Award recognizes schools and school districts that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces. Purple Star awardees are authorized to display the Arkansas Purple Star School logo in their building and are recognized on the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website.  The Arkansas Purple Star School program is operated by the Arkansas Council for Military Children in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Education.

CURRENT PURPLE STAR SCHOOLS

Please see Arkansas Purple Star Schools for a sortable list.

Please see Arkansas Purple Star School Districts for a sortable list.

BECOMING A PURPLE STAR SCHOOL

Any public or private school in Arkansas can become a Purple Star School. (Microschools and homeschools are not eligible.) Arkansas law requires that all public schools with at least 20 children of military families enrolled must become a Purple Star School.

Becoming a Purple Star School is easy. Use this Purple Star School Checklist to make sure your school has met all the requirements. Once your school has "checked all the boxes," you are ready to submit your application.

HOW TO QUALIFY (DISTRICT) 

A district must complete all the following requirements. All requirements must be completed before the application is submitted. 

1. All schools within the district must have achieved Purple Star School status. 
2. The district school board passes a resolution of the school or district’s support for military-connected students and families. 
3. The school must designate a District Military Education Coordinator (DMEC) to serve as a point of contact for military-connected students and families. The DMEC serves as the primary liaison between them and the school. The DMEC could be a counselor, administrator, teacher or another staff member. 
4. The DMEC completes training on special considerations for military-connected students and families. 
5. The district appoints a military service member, the spouse of a military service member, or a representative of the military community to serve on its district family engagement committee. 
6. The district addresses military family issues in its district family and community engagement plan. 
   

HOW TO APPLY 

Application is made online on the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website using the Purple Star School Application or Purple Star School District Application. Applications may be submitted at any time. Applications will be vetted and then voted on by the Arkansas Council for Military Children during the next meeting of the Council.

RECOGNITION 

Upon approval by the Arkansas Council for Military Children, the school or school district will have the privilege to use the Purple Star School or Purple Star School District graphic on its website, letterhead, official school or school district documents, signage on campus, and on any banners the school or district may purchase (e.g., banners for school clubs, teams, etc.)

Visit our Purple Star Schools Toolkit for resources to help start the process of becoming a Purple Star School.

KEEPING THE PURPLE STAR

Maintaining the Purple Star School status is simple. Annually by September 30 each Purple Star School must use an online form to verify that the school is continuing to meet all Purple Star School requirements.

For more information, please contact:

John Kaminar, Military Family Engagement Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Four Capitol Mall, Room 4C-300
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-5188
Email: John.Kaminar@ade.arkansas.gov