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Fairfax County Public Schools added 49 first-time Purple Star Schools in 2025, bringing the division’s total to 145—nearly three-quarters of all FCPS schools.

Another 40 schools renewed the designation, which recognizes schools that support military-connected students and their families. The honors were announced Oct. 22 by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

FCPS serves more than 12,700 military-connected students. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid said the recognition reflects the school division’s strong partnership with military families.

The expansion moves FCPS closer to its goal of earning Purple Star Division status during the 2026-27 school year. Reaching that target would require every FCPS school to receive the designation.

Reid has said the program helps schools create an inclusive, welcoming environment regardless of how many military-connected students they serve.

First-time Purple Star Schools

The 49 schools receiving the designation for the first time are:

  • Annandale High School
  • Aldrin Elementary School
  • Bailey’s Elementary School
  • Beech Tree Elementary School
  • Braddock Elementary School
  • Brookfield Elementary School
  • Bull Run Elementary School
  • Camelot Elementary School
  • Carson Middle School
  • Centre Ridge Elementary School
  • Churchill Road Elementary School
  • Colvin Run Elementary School
  • Clearview Elementary School
  • Crestwood Elementary School
  • Cunningham Park Elementary School
  • Dogwood Elementary School
  • Eagle View Elementary School
  • Fairfax County Adult High School
  • Fairfax Villa Elementary School
  • Falls Church High School
  • Forestville Elementary School
  • Franklin Sherman Elementary School
  • Freedom Hill Elementary School
  • Garfield Elementary School
  • Graham Road Elementary School
  • Greenbriar East Elementary School
  • Greenbriar West Elementary School
  • Groveton Elementary School
  • Herndon High School
  • Herndon Middle School
  • Hughes Middle School
  • Hunters Woods Elementary School
  • Key Middle School
  • Lake Anne Elementary School
  • Langley High School
  • Laurel Hill Elementary School
  • Lees Corner Elementary School
  • Mantua Elementary School
  • Marshall Road Elementary School
  • Mason Crest Elementary School
  • Mount Vernon Woods Elementary School
  • Navy Elementary School
  • Oak Hill Elementary School
  • Oakton Elementary School
  • Parklawn Elementary School
  • South Lakes High School
  • Virginia Run Elementary School
  • Westlawn Elementary School
  • Wolftrap Elementary School

Returning recipients

Sixteen schools earned the recognition for a second time:

  • Cardinal Forest Elementary School
  • Cub Run Elementary School
  • Edison High School
  • Frost Middle School
  • Irving Middle School
  • Kent Gardens Elementary School
  • Kings Glen Elementary School
  • Robinson Secondary School
  • Silverbrook Elementary School
  • Springfield Estates Elementary School
  • Stenwood Elementary School
  • Terra Centre Elementary School
  • Twain Middle School
  • West Potomac High School
  • West Springfield High School
  • Woodlawn Elementary School

Another 24 schools received the designation for a third time:

  • Fairhill Elementary School
  • Fort Hunt Elementary School
  • Franconia Elementary School
  • Gunston Elementary School
  • Hayfield Elementary School
  • Hayfield Secondary School
  • Key Center School
  • Lane Elementary School
  • Laurel Ridge Elementary School
  • Longfellow Middle School
  • Mosaic Elementary School
  • Mount Vernon High School
  • North Springfield Elementary School
  • Orange Hunt Elementary School
  • Powell Elementary School
  • Rocky Run Middle School
  • Sandburg Middle School
  • Saratoga Elementary School
  • Stratford Landing Elementary School
  • Sunrise Valley Elementary School
  • Washington Mill Elementary School
  • Whitman Middle School
  • Woodley Hills Elementary School
  • Woodson High School

What schools must provide

Virginia has designated Purple Star Schools for eight years. Each designation remains valid for three years before a school must reapply.

Qualifying schools must appoint a staff contact for military-connected students and families. They also must provide relevant resources and programming, participate in professional learning about issues affecting military families, and maintain an active, student-led transition team.

Those peer teams, which can include Student Ambassador programs, welcome newly arriving military-connected students and help them adjust to their school communities.

The initiative also supports the positive-school-climate priorities in Goal 2 of the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan: Safe, Supported, Included, and Empowered.