ABILENE, Texas — The Texas Education Agency announced the designation of seven Abilene Independent School District schools as Purple Star Campuses for the 2022-2023 school year.
The campuses include Abilene and Cooper high schools, the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS), Clack Middle School and Bassetti, Dyess and Ward elementary schools.
The TEA said the Purple Star Campus Designation was established in 2019 by the 86th Texas Legislature and recognizes Texas public schools that provide high quality supports to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
To be eligible for the designation, campuses must designate a campus-based military liaison, create and maintain an easily accessible web page that includes information for military-connected students and their families, institute a campus transition program for military-connected students and support a military family assistance initiative.
Abilene ISD is now the only school district in Region 14 with Purple Star-designated campuses. Nearly 200 campuses across the state applied for the designation.
Texas is second in the nation in the number of military-connected students it educates in public schools.
“I am extremely proud of the work these schools are doing to meet the needs of students and families that have sacrificed an incredible amount in service to our country,” Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath, said in a TEA press release. “We recognize the challenges military-connected students often face when transitioning schools. However, these campuses are committed to maximizing the availability of high-quality supports to make that transition easier and to help set these students up for success.”
Purple Star campus designations last for two years.
