27 Maryland Schools Earn Purple Star for Military Support
Summary
The Maryland State Department of Education announced 27 schools from seven county school systems have earned the 2026-2028 Purple Star Schools designation, recognizing strong services and support for students from military families. The schools will be recognized at the State Board of Education meeting on April 28, 2026. To earn the designation, schools must have a dedicated military liaison, provide accessible digital resources, offer a student-led transition program, and ensure staff receive training on the unique needs of military families. Maryland joined the Purple Star Schools national recognition program in 2023.
About this source
GovPing monitors MD MSDE News for new education regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 9 changes logged to date.
What changed
The Maryland State Department of Education published a press release announcing 27 schools from seven county school systems as the 2026-2028 Purple Star Schools designees. The designation recognizes schools for meeting criteria including a dedicated military liaison, accessible digital resources, a student-led transition program, and staff training on military family needs. Schools listed span Anne Arundel County, Calvert County, Harford County, Howard County, Prince George's County, Queen Anne's County, and St. Mary's County Public Schools. This announcement has no compliance obligations and imposes no penalties. It is a recognition program announcement, not a regulatory action, and creates no new legal requirements for the named or unnamed schools.
Affected parties include the 27 named schools receiving the designation and the seven county school systems they belong to. No action is required of any regulated entity as a result of this announcement. Schools not yet designated that wish to qualify in future cycles may use the listed criteria as a guide to program requirements.
Archived snapshot
Apr 27, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
27 Maryland Schools Earn Purple Star Designation
April 27, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Raven Hill, 410-767-0486
[email protected]
27 Maryland Schools Earn Purple Star Designation
Seven school systems to be honored for strong support of students from military families
BALTIMORE (April 27, 2026) – Today, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) announced the 2026-2028 Purple Star Schools, recognizing strong services and support for students from military families.
The 27 schools from seven school systems will be recognized at Tuesday’s State Board of Education meeting.
“Our Purple Star Schools excel in serving the unique needs of our military-connected students and families,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “These school communities create welcoming environments, fostering a sense of support and belonging that provides the foundation for student success.”
“Congratulations to Maryland’s Purple Star School honorees,” said Dr. Joshua L. Michael, State Board of Education President. “These schools reflect our commitment to the families who serve our country, creating environments where their children experience a true sense of belonging and are supported to succeed.”
To earn the designation, schools must have a dedicated military liaison, provide accessible digital resources, offer a student-led transition program, and ensure staff receive training on the unique needs of military families. This year’s Purple Star Schools include:
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Meade High School, MacArthur Middle School, Magothy River Middle School, West Meade Early Education Center
Calvert County Public SchoolsHuntingtown High School, Patuxent High School, Southern Middle School, Barstow Elementary School, Dowell Elementary School, Mount Harmony Elementary School, Huntingtown Elementary School, Mutual Elementary School, Sunderland Elementary School
Harford County Public SchoolsRoye-Williams Elementary School
Howard County Public School SystemBellows Springs Elementary School, Veterans Elementary School, Thunder Hill Elementary School
Prince George’s County Public SchoolsMelwood Elementary School
Queen Anne’s County Public SchoolsKent Island High School, Queen Anne’s County High School, Centreville Middle School, Matapeake Middle School, Stevensville Middle School, Sudlersville Elementary School
St. Mary’s County Public SchoolsCaptain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School, Leonardtown Middle School, Park Hall Elementary School
Maryland joined the Purple Star Schools national recognition program initiative in 2023.
Related changes
Get daily alerts for MD MSDE News
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from MD MSDE.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when MD MSDE News publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.