PWCS logo with a Purple Heart inside of the "C."

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recognized 18 schools in Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) as 2025 Virginia Purple Star schools, including four first-time designees and 14 renewals. Schools earning this distinction must apply to renew their status every three years.

These newly designated schools join 47 existing PWCS Purple Star schools, bringing the total to 51. This impressive achievement means that over half (53%) of all PWCS schools now hold the Purple Star Designation.

“Each year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our schools that go above and beyond to foster a culture of support, understanding, and resilience for our military-connected students,” shared Kimberly Simpson, PWCS military achievement specialist. “The Purple Star designation is a powerful acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts that ensure every student, regardless of background or mobility, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

The following schools earned the Purple Star Designation for 2025. Those schools with an asterisk (*) have renewed their Purple Star Designation while those with two asterisks (**) are receiving their second Purple Star award, and those with three asterisks (***) are receiving their third award:

  • Battlefield High School **
  • Bennett Elementary School **
  • Benton Middle School ***
  • Buckland Mills Elementary School
  • Bull Run Middle School **
  • Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School **
  • Forest Park High School **
  • Henderson Elementary School **
  • Leesylvania Elementary School
  • Marshall Elementary School
  • Piney Branch Elementary School **
  • Potomac Shores Middle School**
  • Rippon Middle School
  • Springwoods Elementary School ***
  • T. Clay Wood Elementary School **
  • Victory Elementary School
  • Westridge Elementary School **
  • Woodbridge High School ***

The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite.

PWCS has approximately 5,000 military-connected students enrolled and is committed to recognizing and supporting their unique educational journeys. These students often face frequent relocations, requiring them to adapt to new academic and social environments more frequently than their civilian peers.

The Purple Star Designation program, adopted in numerous states, sets standards to designate military-friendly schools. It aims to address the unique academic and social-emotional challenges faced by military-connected students and their families.

In total, 51 PWCS schools have received the Purple Star Designation since the program’s inception in the 2018-19 school year. For the full list of PWCS Purple Star schools, please visit the PWCS website.