Woodlawn Elementary was named one of 40 Fairfax County Public Schools that have been recognized by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children as 2022 Purple Star Schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. 

"This is an honor for FCPS, our first-time Purple Star schools and those who continue to be recognized year over year,” says Fairfax Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid. “I commend our school and division staff for everything they continue to do to support the complex needs of our military-related students and families. We are committed to making sure each student feels a sense of belonging as they pursue their educational journey."

This is the fifth year VDOE and the Virginia Council have designated Purple Star schools. The Purple Star schools retain the designation for three years before being required to reapply. 

To qualify for a Purple Star, schools must have a staff member designated as the point of contact for military students and families who serves as the primary link between the military family and the school. Schools must also demonstrate their commitment to meeting the needs of military students by providing resources and programming on issues important to military families, such as academic planning and transitions between schools, districts, and states.

Schools have unique ways of supporting their military students and families. Springfield Estates Elementary School established a twofold approach to supporting military children with their Military Kid Club and Student Ambassador Program. Student Ambassadors welcome all new students (including military-connected students) and collaborate with them during their first two weeks of school. The Military Kid Club supports military-connected students throughout the school year; building comradery, understanding and fellowship. 

Woodlawn Elementary School Student Ambassador Program is run by an advisory panel that is composed of school counselors. Woodlawn hosts numerous Month of the Military Child events and recognizes our military-connected Wildcats on the WWES Morning News Show.

53 schools—more than a quarter of all the schools in FCPS—are currently designated as Purple Star schools. Last year, 11 schools were named, two were named in 2020, 18 were recognized in 2019, and 14 were recognized in 2018, the first year of the program.