The Texas Education Agency on Oct. 13 announced the designation of 179 Texas public schools, including 51 North East ISD campuses, as Purple Star campuses for the 2022-23 school year.
Established in 2019 by the 86th Texas Legislature, the Purple Star campus designation recognizes Texas public schools that provide high-quality supports to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families, according to a news release.
According to the TEA, to be eligible, campuses must designate a campus-based military liaison; create and maintain an easily accessible web page that includes information for military-connected students and their families; institute a campus transition program for military-connected students; and support a military family assistance initiative.
The following 20 north central San Antonio-area NEISD schools received a Purple Star designation for the new academic year:
- Bush Middle School
- Canyon Ridge Elementary School
- Churchill High School
- Cibolo Green Elementary School
- Colonial Hills Elementary School
- Encino Park Elementary School
- Hardy Oak Elementary School
- Hidden Forest Elementary School
- Hill Middle School
- Huebner Elementary School
- Larkspur Elementary School
- Las Lomas Elementary School
- Lopez Middle School
- Oak Meadow Elementary School
- Reagan High School
- Roan Forest Elementary School
- Stone Oak Elementary School
- Tuscany Heights Elementary School
- Vineyard Ranch Elementary School
- Wilderness Oak Elementary School
Only seven other San Antonio-area school districts, including Northside ISD, received a Purple Star designation for the new school year.
The news release said this year’s Purple Star designees make up the largest group in the program’s history, nearly quadrupling the number of campuses designated last year. Nearly 200 campuses statewide applied for the designation.
“We recognize the challenges military-connected students often face when transitioning schools. However, these campuses are committed to maximizing the availability of high-quality supports to make that transition easier and to help set these students up for success,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said in a statement.
All Texas public school campuses are eligible to receive a Purple Star designation, regardless of the size of their military-connected student population. Applications are accepted on an annual basis, with the designation lasting two years.
