A Divisionwide Commitment to Military-Connected Students

 Virginia is home to nearly 120,000 service members, with approximately 78,000 military-connected children enrolled in the state’s public schools, the second-highest total in the country. Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) serves more than 5,000 of those students, making support for military families a year-round priority across the division. That focus is highlighted each April during the Month of the Military Child, when PWCS recognizes the resilience of military-connected students and the important role schools play in supporting them.

“As a division with a high military-connected population, it’s our duty to create a soft-landing place for military families by ensuring our schools are prepared to welcome and support them as they transition in and out,” said Kimberly Simpson, PWCS military achievement specialist. “We support military-connected students by training school staff on the Interstate Compact for Military Children, which helps reduce barriers related to enrollment, placement, and graduation.”

Those trained staff are referred to as “Purple Star Liaisons,” an informal term penned by Simpson to denote the school-level personnel who support military-connected students and their families.

These efforts help create consistent, school-based practices across PWCS, contributing to more than half of the division’s schools earning the Virginia Purple Star designation in 2025. Currently, 51 PWCS schools are recognized by the Virginia Department of Education for their strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and families.

In 2025, four of those schools earned the Purple Star designation for the first time: Rippon Middle School, Buckland Mills Elementary School, Leesylvania Elementary School, and Victory Elementary School. At each school, those Purple Star Liaisons helped lead the work to support the designation process.

“Becoming a Purple Star school was a significant accomplishment for Rippon Middle,” said Jake Davison, counselor at the school. “It sends a strong message to our students, staff, and parents that we are aware of the challenges and unique needs of our military-connected families, and that we are actively working to provide supports and resources to make their experience with Rippon as smooth and welcoming as possible.” 

Earning the Purple Star designation requires intentional planning and ongoing effort.

“This designation reflects the hard work, training, and dedication of our staff and students,” said Lauren Adams, a gifted education teacher at Leesylvania Elementary. “We are always learning, finding new resources, and developing ideas to help make transitions as smooth as possible for military-connected students and their families.”

Across PWCS, schools are applying those practices in ways that reflect their unique communities.

“This designation reflects the pride Victory Elementary takes in supporting families who serve our country,” said Cecilia Kuglistsh, parent liaison at the school. “lt represents Victory’s commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel seen and valued.”

PWCS provides focused assistance to schools and works closely with nearby military installations to help families navigate transitions and connect to resources. This work aligns with the PWCS Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan, which prioritizes family and community engagement and calls for a consistent onboarding process for newcomer and military-connected families.

Throughout April, PWCS will recognize military-connected students through various events and activities, including the division’s Month of the Military Child Spirit Week, April 20–24. The highlight of the week is Purple Up Day on April 22, which is a day for the school division to wear purple to show support and appreciation for military-connected children. The 2026 theme, “Military Children and Youth: Strength in Every Story,” highlights the resilience, sacrifices, and unique experiences of military-connected children.