Five Ysleta ISD schools are among 541 in Texas to be awarded this year’s Purple Star campus designation, signifying that these schools show exceptional commitment to supporting and meeting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.
The new Purple Star campuses at Ysleta ISD are:
• Alicia R. Chacon International School
• Eastwood Knolls International School
• Edgemere International School
• R.E.L. Washington International School
• Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Ysleta ISD now has a total of 12 Purple Star schools. The following seven Northeast-area campuses won the designation in 2023:
• Desertaire Elementary School
• Dolphin Terrace Elementary School
• North Star Elementary School
• Parkland Pre-K Center
• Parkland Elementary School
• Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School
• Parkland High School
Military life often presents specific challenges and opportunities for families, including frequent relocations and transitions to new cities, homes, and schools. As a result, Ysleta ISD created a special HERO Military Program to make it easier for military families to enroll in the district and become acclimated to the local community.
As part of the HERO program, a school liaison welcomes military-connected families with open arms and guides them through enrollment. Purple Star schools also organize special programs and events throughout the school year to celebrate and serve the military community.
All Texas public schools are eligible to receive a Purple Star Campus Designation, regardless of their military-connected student population size. Applications for the designation are accepted annually; this year, state officials saw a 202 percent increase in the number of Purple Star-designated schools.
To receive the Purple Star designation, campuses must also create and maintain an easily accessible webpage that includes information for military-connected students and their families; a campus transition program for military-connected students; and a military family assistance initiative.
“Our military families sacrifice so much, and it’s essential that our schools support their children in every way possible to ensure they have the best educational experience while in Texas public schools,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath.
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