Over 450 Schools Receive the Purple Star Schools of Distinction Designation and 16 Colleges Receive the Collegiate Purple Star Campus Designation

November 10, 2025

FDOE Press Office 850-245-0413 [email protected]

Over 450 Schools Receive the Purple Star Schools of Distinction Designation and 16 Colleges Receive the Collegiate Purple Star Campus Designation

Tallahassee, Fla., November 10, 2025 - In recognition of Veterans Day, Commissioner Kamoutsas announced that 451 schools received the prestigious Purple Star School of Distinction Designation with 78 new schools and all 124 schools in the inaugural cohort renewing their designation. Within the Florida College System, 16 colleges received the Collegiate Purple Star Campus designation with seven new colleges added this year. This is a testament to Florida's relentless support for those who serve in the military.

"Florida's veterans, service members and military families make daily sacrifices to defend our freedom," said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. "Florida's Purple Star Schools and Collegiate Purple Star Campuses remain steadfast in ensuring military families receive consistent, high-quality education no matter where they are stationed."

"Florida remains committed in our mission to be the most military-friendly state in the nation. The Purple Star designation highlights our ongoing commitment to ensuring that military families have access to the best educational opportunities available," said Esther Byrd, Vice Chair of the State Board of Education. "We will continue to honor the service and sacrifice of our military veterans and service members by supporting their children and ensuring their success in every classroom across our state."

"As a veteran myself and wife of a Purple Heart recipient, I've seen firsthand the sacrifices military families make. Our Purple Star Schools and Campuses exemplify what it means to go above and beyond for military-connected students, ensuring that every child is supported and set up for success," said Layla Collins, State Board of Education Member.

Signed into law by Governor DeSantis in 2021, the Purple Star Schools of Distinction recognizes schools that provide additional support, resources and services to military-connected students and their families. The program debuted with only 124 trailblazing schools. The Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus Program was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023 to recognize colleges that demonstrate a commitment to supporting military families.

Established in 2024, the Florida Purple Star School District Designation honors districts that demonstrate a strong, districtwide commitment to meeting the unique needs of military families and ensures educational continuity for students of active-duty service members. Districts must have at least 75% of their schools earn the Purple Star School of Distinction Designation to qualify for district-level recognition. Five school districts previously earned the Florida Purple Star School District Designation, setting a standard for excellence in service to military families. This year, Florida Virtual School (FLVS) joins the list of distinguished districts, further expanding statewide recognition of schools and systems that go above and beyond to support those who serve.

Governor Ron DeSantis continues championing ways to support active military and veteran families through numerous initiatives and legislation, including:

• Investing in the Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program through the signing of House Bill 1035 to provide a one-time sign-on bonus to retired first responders and veterans who become full-time classroom teachers.
• Re-enacting the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children to ensure a smooth transition for children of active-duty military families by enabling seamless school placement, enrollment, records transfers and verification of graduation requirements.
• Signing Senate Bill 896 into law to create the Military Veterans Certification Pathway to help veterans access jobs in education by allowing their military service to count toward the requirement for a temporary educator certificate under the mentorship of a certified teacher.
• Allowing state agencies to substitute work experience, including military experience, for postsecondary education to allow veterans to use job experience to apply for civilian jobs.
• Facilitating credit for military experience to guarantee military service members receive uniform postsecondary college credit or clock hours based upon their completion of military courses, training and occupations when applying to any Florida public postsecondary institution.

For the full list of Purple Star Schools of Distinction and details on how to join Florida's growing roster of military-friendly schools, visit the Florida Department of Education's Purple Star webpage.

For the list of Florida College System institutions that received the designation, visit the Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campuses webpage.

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