BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland State Department of Education has announced that eight schools in the state are recipients of the first Purple Star designation. This recognition is given to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to students from military families.

The Purple Star designation program was created in 2023, and schools are eligible if they have a demonstrated commitment to supporting students with military connections. This includes providing resources for students who may be struggling with the challenges of deployment, such as a transition program for welcoming new students, professional development opportunities for staff to learn more about the challenges of life as a military-connected student, and digital resources for students and families. The first wave of recipients will maintain the designation through the 2024-2025 academic year.

Maryland is one of 37 states to offer the Purple Star designation, and officials believe that this recognition will help to raise awareness about the challenges that military families face and to promote the positive impact that schools can have on students who are connected to military families.

“Our students whose family members serve in the armed forces have unique needs,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, Interim State Superintendent of Schools. “Those school communities that go above and beyond to address their needs and create a welcoming environment deserve this recognition. We salute our first Purple Star Schools and look forward to bringing others into the fold.”

The eight schools recognized are as follows:

• Bellows Springs Elementary School, Howard County Public School System
• Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School, St. Mary’s County Public Schools
• Kent Island High School, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools
• MacArthur Middle School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
• Meade High School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
• Mt. Harmony Elementary School, Calvert County Public Schools
• Queen Anne’s County High School, Queen Anne’s County Public Schools
• West Meade Early Education Center, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.