Purple Star Campus Designation

The �� (��) has closed the application window for the 2025–26 school year Purple Star Campus Designation (PSCD). Awarded campuses will be announced in September 2025.

Campuses interested in earning the 2026–27 PSCD are encouraged to begin planning and implementing the required criteria now in preparation for the Spring 2026 application window.

Purple Star Campus Designation (PSCD)

The Purple Star Campus Designation recognizes Texas district and charter schools that demonstrate exceptional support and commitment to meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. This special honor was established by the 86th Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 1557 and is further defined in agency rule (19 TAC §61.1063), effective April 9, 2020.

Each fall, the �� awards the Purple Star Campus designation to campuses that apply and meet the established criteria (see below). Selected campuses receive a distinctive Purple Star recognition to proudly display on campus or on their school website. Additionally, designated campuses are featured on the website.

PSCD Criteria At a Glance

1) Designate a campus-based military liaison that must:

Support military connected students and their families.
Offer professional development opportunities for staff members on issues related to military-connected students.

2) Create and maintain an easily accessible campus military webpage that includes the following information for military-connected students and their families.

Relocation
Enrollment and registration
Academic planning
Counseling and support services
Campus-based military liaison information

3) Must have/implement a campus transition program that includes:

Introductions to school environment and processes.
Student leaders or ambassadors should be supported or sponsored by a campus-based staff member.
Participate in organizing and hosting newcomer social events, facilitating guided tours of the campus, and accompanying new students to lunch the first week of school.

4) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:

A resolution showing support for military-connected students and families;
Participation in Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month; or
Partnership with a school liaison officer to encourage and provide opportunities for active-duty military members to volunteer in the local schools, speak at a school assembly, or host a school field trip.

To see the Purple Star Campus Designation rule in its entirety, visit: 19 TAC, Chapter 61. School Districts, Subchapter FF. Commissioner’s Rules Concerning Veterans and Military Dependents. Division 2, Military-Connected Students, §61.1063.

How to Apply

The 2026-27 SY Purple Star Campus Designation application window will open in late Spring 2026. The 2026-27 PSCD awardees will be announced in Fall 2026.

Applications MUST be submitted using the Qualtrics Survey Link: Coming Soon.
Potential applicants SHOULD pre-plan their responses and required evidence using the PSCD Application Planning Document (PDF): Coming Soon.

SY 2026-27 PSCD Application Information

Fall 2025 Military/PSCD Interest Webinar: October 8, 2025 @ 1:00 - 2:30 PM CST
Spring 2026 Military/PSCD Interest Webinar: March 4, 2026 @ 1:00 - 2:30 PM CST
26-27 Military/PSCD Office Hours
- October 15, 2025 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM CST |
- April 15, 2026 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM CST |
- May 20, 2026 @ 1:00 - 2:00 PM CST |

For a comprehensive, printable PDF listing all HMAR and individual program webinars and professional development opportunities for the 2025–26 school year, please visit the HMAR webinar webpage.

Relevant Tools and Resources

General PSCD Resources
- **NEW** �� Learn Course: - Released January 2025
- PSCD Annual Calendar and Timeline Recommendations (PDF)
- Commonly used key terms, definitions, and acronyms for educators (PDF)
- Texas Law and Policy Requirements to Support Military-Connected Students (PDF)
PSCD Application Support
- PSCD Application Guide (PDF)
- PSCD Application Overview and Checklist (PDF)
- PSCD Campus Self-Assessment: Application Rubric (PDF)
- PSCD Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
PSCD Criteria Support
- Supporting Military-Connected Students: Professional Development Resources and Tools
- PSCD Webpage Requirements for Military Families
- PSCD Campus Transition Program Best Practices
- PSCD Military Initiatives

Previously Recorded PSCD Application Webinars

25-26 PSCD Application Interest Meeting: Interest Meeting PDF | (held on March 19, 2025)
25-26 PSCD Application Exemplar Training: Exemplar PDF |
24-25 PSCD Application Webinar: Presentation (PDF) | (held on February 20, 2024)

Purple Star Campus Designation Awardees

New PSCD Awardees & Communications

Governor Abbott Announces SY 2025-26 Purple Star Campus Designations Coming Soon!
To The Administrator Addressed (TAA) Correspondence Coming Soon!
2025-26 Purple Star Campus Designation Awardees Coming Soon!

Previous PSCD Awardees & Communications

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