Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

For the second year in a row, Polk County Schools has been honored with the State Superintendent’s Purple Star District Award, recognizing the district’s commitment to supporting military students and their families.

The prestigious designation, announced during a ceremony on Friday, is awarded only when every school in a district qualifies for Purple Star status. Polk County was among just 15 districts across North Carolina to receive this district-wide recognition.

Tryon Elementary School earned Purple Star designation for the fifth consecutive year, establishing itself as one of the state’s most consistent supporters of military families.

State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green and Brigadier General Charles W. Morrison, Assistant Adjutant General – Maneuver, NC National Guard, presented the awards during Friday’s ceremony.

“Ensuring that every North Carolina public school student has the appropriate support is paramount to achieving academic excellence in our schools,” said State Superintendent Green. “I applaud the hundreds of schools across the state who were awarded Purple Stars today. Their dedication to their students, their families and their communities does not go unnoticed, and I am grateful for all that you have done and continue to do for military students and their families.”

To qualify for Purple Star status, schools must complete several required activities demonstrating strong support for military students and families. These include designating a staff member as a point of contact for military families, providing annual professional development addressing special considerations for military students, creating a dedicated webpage with military family resources and implementing transition programs to support incoming and outgoing military students.

Schools must also complete at least one optional activity, such as hosting annual military recognition events like Month of the Military Child or Veterans Day celebrations.

For the 2024-25 school year, 453 schools across North Carolina received Purple Star recognition, representing 31 districts statewide. This marks an increase of 59 schools compared to the previous year.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction launched the Purple Star Award Designation initiative in the 2019-20 school year to recognize the state’s rich military history and the large population of active duty, guard, reserve, and veteran armed service members who call North Carolina home.

The other districts receiving the Purple Star District Award this year include Carteret County Schools, Craven County Schools, Cumberland County Schools, Currituck County Schools, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, Harnett County Schools, Hoke County Schools, Jones County Schools, Moore County Schools, Onslow County Schools, Pender County Schools, Scotland County Schools, Wayne County Public Schools, and Whiteville City Schools.