The Texas Education Agency announced Sept. 3 that 329 public schools have earned the Purple Star Campus Designation for the 2026-27 school year, a state recognition awarded to campuses that demonstrate sustained support for students from military families.
The new designations bring the total number of Purple Star campuses in Texas to 427, according to the agency’s news release. The program is meant to address the disruptions military-connected students face as their families move between duty stations, including mid-year transfers and gaps in course placement.
“Texas will always support our service members and ensure their children have the resources necessary to succeed,” Governor Greg Abbott said in the release. “The Purple Star Campus Designation program equips Texas schools to better serve military-connected students and address their unique educational needs.”
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said the state is proud to recognize the 329 schools for their dedication to the children of military families. “Military-connected students and their families make significant contributions to communities across our state, and Purple Star campuses are leading the way in making sure these students feel welcomed, supported and connected to their communities,” Morath said.
The designation traces to Senate Bill 1557, which Abbott signed in 2019. To qualify, the agency said, a campus must name a school-based military liaison, maintain an accessible webpage carrying required information for military-connected families, run a transition program for those students and support a military family initiative.
Every Texas public school campus is eligible regardless of how many military-connected students it enrolls, TEA said. Applications are accepted annually and each designation lasts two years, meaning the schools recognized this year will hold the distinction through the 2027-28 school year.