For demonstrating a major commitment to supporting students and families connected to our nation’s military, 50 Virginia Beach schools were named 2019 Virginia Purple Star schools. This is the most awards presented to any school division in Virginia and comprises nearly half of the state’s 104 honorees. Awards are presented by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
“Virginia Beach is a military town,” said Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence. “With all the changes, separations and other stressors these children endure as part of their everyday lives, the last thing they and their families should have to worry about is the time spent in our schools. All of our Virginia Beach City Public Schools staff—every teacher, counselor, bus driver and custodian—is invested in providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for every one of our students, including the more than 16,000 of our young learners whose families are associated with the military. We are honored to serve them as they serve our country. This award affirms our commitment to them.”
Approximately 20% of students in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) are military-connected, meaning that they have active-duty family members or are military-dependent youth. Through military school counselors, the division provides families deployment support, academic transition planning and post-secondary planning. In addition, VBCPS maintains a strong partnership with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and offers professional learning for staff to better understand the needs of military families.
VBCPS’ 2019 honorees are:
- Alanton Elementary,
- Arrowhead Elementary,
- Bayside High,
- Bayside Middle,
- Bayside Sixth Grade Campus,
- Birdneck Elementary,
- Brandon Middle,
- Brookwood Elementary,
- Centerville Elementary,
- Christopher Farms Elementary,
- Corporate Landing Elementary,
- Corporate Landing Middle,
- Frank W. Cox High,
- Green Run Collegiate,
- Green Run High,
- Independence Middle,
- John B. Dey Elementary,
- Kempsville Meadows Elementary,
- Kempsville Middle,
- King’s Grant Elementary,
- Landstown Elementary,
- Landstown High,
- Landstown,
- Larkspur Middle,
- Linkhorn Park Elementary,
- Luxford Elementary,
- Lynnhaven Middle,
- North Landing Elementary,
- Ocean Lakes Elementary,
- Ocean Lakes High,
- Old Donation School,
- Pembroke Elementary,
- Pembroke Meadows Elementary,
- Plaza Middle,
- Princess Anne Middle,
- Providence Elementary,
- Red Mill Elementary,
- Rosemont Elementary,
- Rosemont Forest Elementary,
- Salem High,
- Salem Middle,
- Strawbridge Elementary,
- Tallwood High,
- Thalia Elementary,
- Thoroughgood Elementary,
- Three Oaks Elementary,
- Trantwood Elementary,
- Virginia Beach Middle,
- Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center and
- Windsor Woods Elementary
These 50 honorees bring VBCPS’ number of Purple Star schools to 58. Eight of the division’s schools were honored in 2018, the first year the awards were presented.
Learn more about the Purple Star designation by visiting the VDOE website. Or, read about last year’s honorees and the supports provided at one school.