Purple Star Schools

Designating schools that provide services and supports to military-connected students and families

Created in 2024 by House Bill 24-1076, the Purple Star Program designates public schools that provide services and supports to military-connected students and their families to mitigate academic and social-emotional challenges related to frequent moves, new schools, parental deployments, and different social circles and experiences.

The Purple Star designation recognizes a  significant commitment to supporting military families and students of servicemen and women. For more information, please download our flier.

27 schools earn Purple Star School designation in April 10, 2025, ceremony

In a special ceremony on Thursday, April 10, 2025, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova and Governor Jared Polis awarded the state’s first-ever Purple Star School designation to 27 schools from eight school districts and the Charter School Institute.  The Purple Star School designation recognizes school communities for their work to support military-connected students and their families. Read more about it in CDE's new release.

See photos from the event on our Flickr page. 

2025 Colorado Purple Star Schools

Academy School District 20

• Douglass Valley Elementary School
• Eagleview Middle School
• Ranch Creek Elementary School

Aurora Public Schools

• Edna and John Mosley P-8 School

Colorado Springs School District 11

• Jenkins Middle School
• James Irwin Elementary School - Howard
• McAuliffe Elementary School

Charter School Institute

• Colorado Military Academy

District 49

• Bennett Ranch Elementary School
• Falcon Middle School

Ellicott School District 22

• Ellicott Elementary School

Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8

• Abrams Elementary School
• Aragon Elementary School
• Eagleside Elementary School
• Jordahl Elementary School
• Mesa Elementary School
• Mountainside Elementary School
• Patriot Elementary School
• Weikel Elementary School
• Welte Education Center
• Carson Middle School
• Fountain Middle School
• Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Harrison School District 2

• James Irwin Charter Middle School
• James Irwin Elementary School–Astrozon

Widefield School District 3

• Grand Mountain School
• Widefield High School

Timeline

• October 2024: Application Opens
• December 18, 2024: Application Closes
• January-February 2025: Applications are reviewed
• March 2025: Award Notifications are released
• First Week of April 2025: Awards Ceremony

Requirements to qualify 

Designated schools must meet specific  requirements, targeted training, and implemented programs and resources designed to support the  unique situations facing military students and families, including:

• A dedicated staff member as a military liaison, who shall perform the following duties:
  • Identify military connected students enrolled at the public school;
  • Serve as the point of contact between the public school campus and military-connected students and their families;
  • Determine appropriate school services available to military-connected students and
  • Determine whether military-connected students have access to the appropriate counseling services, mentorship services, volunteer opportunities and student support services
• Create and maintain on the public school’s website an accessible web page that includes resources for military-connected students and their families, including the following information:
  • How to relocate to, enroll in, register for and transfer records to the public school;
  • Academic planning, course sequences, and advanced courses available at the public school;
  • Counseling and other support services available for military-connected students enrolled at the public school; and
  • The name of the designated military liaison for the public school and the military liaison’s duties
• Establish and maintain a student-led transition program that assists military-connected students who are relocating to the public school;
• Offer professional development for educators and staff on issues related to military-connected students; and
• Offer at least one of the following initiatives:
  • A public school resolution published on the the public schools’ website showing support for military-connected students and their families;
  • Celebrations in April and November to recognize military children and military families with associated events hosted by the public school;
  • A partnership with a local military installation that facilitates opportunities for military members to volunteer on the public school’s campus, speak at a public school assembly, or host a field trip; or
  • Student driven clubs and groups that show community-family engagement for military connected students and their families.
• Additional criteria that demonstrates commitment to supporting military-connected families, including:
  • Hosting an annual military recognition event
  • Partnering with a school liaison program manager from a military installation;
  • Supporting projects that connect the public school to the military installation;
  • Providing outreach to military-connected students and their families.

Purple Star Designations 

During the first week of April each year, the Governor or his designee shall recognize each purple star school that has applied for the program and met the requirements with a certificate.

A Purple Star designation is valid for three years.

Contact Information: 

Christina Monaco
Executive Director
303-981-6513
monaco_c@cde.state.co.us