Braun Recognizes 76 Indiana Purple Star Schools

Schools honored for supporting students whose families serve or have served in the military.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military Jobs

Braun Recognizes 76 Indiana Purple Star Schools

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Governor Mike Braun recognized 76 Indiana schools with the Purple Star School designation on November 6, 2026. Of those, 35 received the designation for the first time and 41 renewed their status.

Why it matters

The designation recognizes schools that support students from military families, a population that often faces frequent relocations and unique academic and emotional challenges. Recognition for Indiana schools is timed ahead of Veterans Day.

Of the 76 recognized schools, 35 earned the Purple Star designation for the first time while 41 renewed it. Each designation is valid for three years, after which schools must seek renewal.

The players

Mike Braun

Mike Braun is the Governor of Indiana, who announced the Purple Star School recognitions.

Indiana Department of Education

The Indiana Department of Education is the state agency responsible for selecting Purple Star Schools.

Indiana National Guard

The Indiana National Guard is the state military force that collaborates with the Department of Education on Purple Star selections.

The details

The Indiana Department of Education selects Purple Star Schools in collaboration with the Indiana National Guard. To earn or renew the designation, schools must assign a designated contact for military families, provide military-related resources online, host annual recognition events, maintain displays honoring service members, adopt a resolution supporting military-connected students, and guarantee interviews to qualified military service members and immediate family members applying for open positions.

November 6, 2026: Governor Mike Braun announces the 76 Purple Star School recipients.
Ahead of Veterans Day: Recognition announcement is timed before the holiday.
Three years: Duration of the Purple Star designation for recipient schools.

Military Family Support

The Indiana Purple Star School program, administered with the Indiana National Guard, requires schools to meet specific service commitments for military-connected students. This year's 76 recognitions continue that statewide framework, with 35 schools newly joining and 41 renewing their status.

Parents of military-connected students in Indiana can ask their child's school whether it holds the Purple Star designation and what resources it offers. Schools that earned recognition must provide designated contacts and online military resources that families can access directly.

The takeaway

Purple Star recognition gives military families a clear signal of which Indiana schools have formal commitments to supporting students with service backgrounds. Families relocating for military service can use the designation as one factor when evaluating school options.