The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced today the school districts and individual school buildings that earned the 2023 Missouri Purple Star designation — the second round of designees in this new state of Missouri program:

2023 Purple Star School Districts

·        Blair Oaks R-II

·        Carl Junction R-1

·        Desoto 73

·        Hickory Co. R-1

·        Knob Noster R-VIII

·        St. Clair R-XIII

·        Warrensburg R-VI

2023 Purple Star Schools (All from St. Clair R-XIII School District)

·        St. Clair High School

·        St. Clair Junior High School

·        St. Clair Elementary School

·        Edgar Murray Elementary School

“This program is just one way to reiterate 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 seven school districts and four schools with the Purple Star designation. Each district and school works to support our service members and their families throughout the community, while also ensuring these children are prepared to find their path to success in Missouri.”

The 2023 and 2022 Missouri Purple Star designees were invited to be recognized at the Month of the Military Child Kickoff event at 10:30 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda on April 5, 2023, hosted by the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and DESE.

The Purple Star School 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.