Wisconsin Names Inaugural Purple Star Schools
The Department of Public Instruction recognized 17 schools across six districts for supporting military-connected students and families.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Military Jobs
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced its inaugural Wisconsin Purple Star Schools, recognizing 17 schools across six school districts for supporting military-connected students. The application window for the 2027 Purple Star School designation is now open.
Why it matters
Wisconsin has nearly 10,000 school-aged military children, who move six to nine times during K-12 education on average. The designation gives schools a framework to strengthen support for these students through transitions.
The inaugural group includes 17 schools across six districts, with schools located in Grantsburg, Osseo-Fairchild, Sparta, St. Croix Falls, Sun Prairie, Tomah and Camp Douglas. The number of schools expected to apply in the 2027 window was not reported.
The players
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
The state education agency that introduced the Purple Star School Program and announced the inaugural designated schools.
The details
The Purple Star School Program was introduced during the 2025-26 school year and recognizes schools that support military-connected students and families. Wisconsin has been a member of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for 15 years, which promotes consistency in enrollment, placement, attendance and graduation policies.
Timeline
- The Purple Star School Program was introduced during the 2025-26 school year.
- The inaugural Purple Star Schools were announced last spring.
- Military Family Appreciation Month is celebrated in November 2026.
- The Department of Public Instruction honors veterans and families on Veterans Day 2026.
Military Jobs Context
Wisconsin's Purple Star program builds on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which Wisconsin has joined for 15 years to standardize enrollment and placement for transitioning military families. The school-level designation adds a recognition layer on top of that existing state framework.
Military families relocating to Wisconsin can look for schools with Purple Star designation to find support for transitioning students. Schools interested in the 2027 designation can apply during the open application window.
The takeaway
Military-connected students face frequent school moves, so schools that actively support them can ease the disruption. Families relocating to Wisconsin can ask prospective schools whether they hold Purple Star designation.
Further reading
Explore more on Military Jobs and how military families navigate career and school transitions across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wisconsin State Journal.
