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Purple Star Award Archives - North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools

Apr 29
Love0

Congratulations to the 15 charters earning Purple Star Awards

By News

Congratulations to the 15 charter schools that are Purple Star Award recipients for 2025-26! According to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), award-winning schools “demonstrate military-friendly practices and a commitment to military students and families.” DPI launched the award during the 2019-20 school year.

DPI recognized the Purple Star schools at a ceremony on April 24. Statewide, nearly 600 schools received the award for 2025-26. See this year’s list of awardees.

These are the 15 charter schools earning Purple Star Awards for 2025-26:

  • Alpha Academy
  • Anderson Creek Academy
  • The Academy of Moore County
  • Ascend Leadership Academy
  • The Math & Science Academy of Apex
  • Neuse Charter School
  • North Carolina Cyber Academy
  • Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT)
  • The NC Leadership Charter Academy
  • Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
  • Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy: A Challenge Foundation
  • TMSA Charlotte Elementary
  • Triangle Math and Science Academy
  • Wayne Preparatory Academy
  • Wayne Stem Academy

Alpha Academy and Anderson Creek Academy also received legacy plaques, according to DPI’s release. Both schools have received the Purple Star Award all seven years of the program’s existence. In addition, NEAAAT  earned a legacy plaque for six consecutive years of Purple Star recognition.

In a news release, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green said:

I’m thrilled to honor the record number of Purple Star schools and districts for their dedication supporting military-connected students throughout their educational journey … Your work supporting military-connected students and their families in North Carolina’s public schools makes a tremendous impact both inside and out of the classroom. It is through efforts like the Purple Star award that North Carolina’s public schools become the best in the nation.

Learn more about the Purple Star Award here.

*This post has been updated.

May 19
Love0

Nine N.C. Charter Schools Win 2023 Purple Star Awards

By Awards, News

Nine North Carolina charter schools have won 2023 Purple Star Awards, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction announced yesterday. These awards, which recognize service to military-affiliated students and their families, went to 336 public charter and public district schools across the state. The Purple Star Award program began in 2019-20, so this its fourth year of operation. Congratulations to all of these public schools for their exemplary service to military families!

The charter schools winning 2023 Purple Star awards are:

  • Alpha Academy
  • Anderson Creek Academy
  • Northeast Academy for Aerospace & Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT)
  • North Carolina Cyber Academy
  • Pine Springs Preparatory Academy
  • The Academy of Moore County
  • Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
  • Southern Wake Academy
  • Wayne Preparatory Academy

Of these nine charter schools, five are Coalition member schools (in bold).

Superintendent Catherine Truitt and Brigadier General Colin P. Tuley at a ceremony this week recognizing 2023 Purple Star Award winners. Photo credit: N.C. DPI.

In a Department of Public Instruction press release yesterday, State Superintendent Catherine Truitt said:

These Purple Star Awardees have gone beyond the standard call of duty to ensure their school and classroom environments accommodate military-connected students. Their dedication to these students allows them to be seen, heard, and valued in their new school and feel supported as they adjust to their new surroundings. The growth this program has seen in its few short years of existence is incredibly promising and something I am especially grateful for.

Here is how DPI summarized the requirements for the Purple Star Award:

Schools earning the Purple Star Award were required to have a staff member as a designated point of contact for military students and families, a designated central administration staff member supporting the point of contact in the school and also the provision of annual professional development addressing special considerations for military students and families. Purple Star schools also provide a dedicated page on their websites for military family resources or links to the district’s webpage with military family resources as well as a transition program to support inbound and outbound military students and families, along with a checklist for their use.

Click here to see the full list of 2023 Purple Star Award winners. Congratulations, Purple Star Award winners–and especially, to Coalition member schools!