Hampton Board recognizes 20 Purple Star Schools; district earns Purple Star School Division designation
Hampton City Schools School Board · November 6, 2025
Summary
The board presented Purple Star School certificates, coins and banners to 20 schools for supporting military-connected students and announced that Hampton City Schools has earned a Purple Star School Division designation, meaning every school in the division now holds the Purple Star recognition.
Hampton City Schools on Thursday recognized 20 schools with the Virginia Purple Star designation and announced that, for the first time, the division as a whole has earned Purple Star School Division status.
The Purple Star designation, issued by the Virginia Department of Education and its partner body for military-connected education, recognizes schools that demonstrate support systems and services for military families. District staff said 15 schools earned the Purple Star for the first time this year and five schools renewed the designation for a second cycle; the designation remains valid for three years before renewal is required.
"This honor signifies their dedication to creating supportive environments for our military families," said Miss Gore, who led the recognitions and called school representatives forward in groups to receive certificates, coins and banners. Later in the ceremony Doctor Jennifer Oliver, director of community and government relations, was recognized for coordinating much of the application effort and the board announced the division-level designation.
Among schools recognized were Aberdeen Elementary, Asbury Elementary, Kraft Elementary, Moton Early Childhood Center, Bethel High School, Hampton High School, Jones Magnet Middle School and Kecoughtan High School. Staff and school leaders accepted certificates and banners on behalf of each school.
Board members applauded the effort and noted the division will be listed on the VDOE website as Purple Star schools. The district said Purple Star Schools retain the designation for three years and must reapply for renewal. "This truly is a huge designation," a board member said during the meeting.
