The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced today the school districts and individual school buildings that earned the 2022 Missouri Purple Star designation — the first ever for the State of Missouri:

2022 Purple Star School Districts

• Bowling Green R-I
• Miller R-II
• Plato R-V
• Waynesville R-VI

2022 Purple Star Schools (all from the Warrensburg R-VI School District)

• Warrensburg High School
• Warrensburg Middle School
• Maple Grove Elementary
• Martin Warren Elementary
• Sterling Elementary
• Ridgeview Elementary

“We are especially thankful for our state’s commitment to our service members,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “As we continue to celebrate April as the Month of the Military Child, it is an honor to award these four school districts and six schools with the Purple Star designation. Each district and school works year-round to support our service members and their families, while also ensuring our military children are prepared to pursue their dreams after high school.”

This designation is awarded to military-friendly local education agencies (LEAs) that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military — including active duty, National Guard or Reserve members, and military veterans. LEAs that earn this designation will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display onsite and on the school district (or individual school building) website.

To learn more about the criteria required to obtain this designation, visit DESE’s Missouri Purple Star Schools webpage.