MADISON — Seventeen schools have been named Wisconsin’s first Purple Star Schools, recognizing their significant commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly announced the designations today during a Month of the Military Child celebration in Tomah.

“At the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, we are deeply committed to supporting military-connected children and their families,” Dr. Underly said. “We want to ease their challenges wherever we can and ensure that every student feels welcomed, supported and valued in any school they enter. I am incredibly proud of our Wisconsin Purple Star Schools for working tirelessly to ensure these students are supported and set up for success.”

Schools named Wisconsin Purple Star Schools are: 

  • Grantsburg High School (Grantsburg School District) 
  • Osseo-Fairchild Elementary (Osseo-Fairchild School District) 
  • Sparta Montessori School (Sparta Area School District) 
  • St. Croix Falls Elementary School  (St. Croix Falls School District) 
  • St. Croix Falls Middle School (St. Croix Falls School District) 
  • St. Croix Falls High School (St. Croix Falls School District) 
  • Eastside Elementary (Sun Prairie Area School District) 
  • Prairie View Middle School (Sun Prairie Area School District) 
  • Tomah High School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Tomah Middle School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • LaGrange Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Miller Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Warrens Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Wyeville Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Tomah Area Montessori School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Camp Douglas and Oakdale Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 
  • Lemonweir Elementary School (Tomah Area School District) 

This marks the inaugural year of Wisconsin’s Purple Star School Program, which helps schools better support the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children. On average, these students move six to nine times during their K-12 education experience – a process that can pose unique needs and challenges when they transfer to schools with different curricula, expectations, standards, course offerings and graduation requirements. 

To earn this designation, schools must appoint a dedicated liaison for students and families, provide professional development for staff to help address challenges, provide programming or activities to help create social connections and celebrate military students and families, and provide online resources. The designation lasts for three years. 

Dr. Underly also thanked State Commissioner Shelley Joan Weiss, who oversees Wisconsin’s administration of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children – a partnership that helps ensure consistency in school enrollment, placement, attendance, and graduation policies when children transition between states due to military assignments. 

“Commissioner Weiss is a passionate advocate for military-connected children and works diligently to ensure compliance with rules and regulations,” Dr. Underly said. “I thank her for her leadership and helping us better serve military children across Wisconsin.” 

For more information on the Wisconsin Purple Star School program and other resources for military children and families, visit the DPI’s website.