Anthony, Socorro, EPISD get Purple Stars for military commitment

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – All campuses in the Anthony Independent School District (AISD) were recognized with the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Purple Star campus designation, the district announced in a news release sent Monday, Sept. 23.

Anthony Elementary, middle and high school were all included in the 2024 list of recognized schools statewide, according to AISD.

AISD said this designation, which will remain valid for two years, is awarded annually to schools that “demonstrate a commitment to supporting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families.”

It is also awarded to schools that meet the criteria such as establishing a military liaison, maintaining a student ambassador program and offering resources to help military students succeed despite challenges like parental deployments or frequent moves, according to AISD.

“Our schools are honored to receive this recognition,” AISD Superintendent Oscar Troncoso said. “We understand that the sacrifices made by service members also impact their families, and our staff is dedicated to providing emotional, academic and peer support to honor their resilience.”

“Anthony ISD actively celebrates its military community by hosting events like Purple Up Day during April’s Military Child Month,” read the news release.

For more information about available resources for military students, visit the AISD Military Families tab on www.anthonyisd.net/military-families .

Socorro ISD

The Socorro Independent School District has 39 Purple Star campuses for the 2024-2025 school year, with 38 schools being redesignated and Options High School newly designated as a Purple Star campus, the district said.

Altogether, SISD has 46 Purple Star schools out of 51 campuses in the district.

These schools are among the 541 Texas schools announced on Sept. 19 that have been newly designated and/or redesignated as Purple Star campuses for the 2024-25 school year by the Texas Education Agency.

SISD serves 5,769 military-connected students and their families across the district.

“The district has shown exceptional dedication to meeting the specific needs of military-connected students and their families through a variety of resources and services,” said Interim Superintendent James P. Vasquez. “We are thrilled to receive these prestigious Purple Star designations, which validate our commitment to delivering the finest educational experience for military-connected students and their families.”

Since 2020, the Purple Star campus designation has been awarded to schools that show a strong commitment to providing comprehensive support for students from military families.

To earn this recognition, SISD campuses have met rigorous criteria, including creating a dedicated webpage with resources for military-connected families, instituting a campus transition program for military-connected students, and appointing a campus-based military liaison at each campus, the district said.

The designation remains valid for two years, and schools that meet the criteria can re-apply for the designation.

This is the first year that Options High School has been identified as a Purple Star school.

“It is an incredible honor for Options High School to be designated for focusing on the families of our nation’s heroes and giving a fraction back to those that have given up so much for us,” said Options High School Principal Theresa Hentges.

El Paso ISD

El Paso ISD has earned 58 new Purple Star designations for the 2024-25 school year, the district said. That brings the total number of Purple Star campuses in EPISD to 68, according to the district.

That total of 68 makes it the top district for Purple Star campuses in El Paso County, the district said.

The Purple Star campus designation is a “prestigious honor awarded to schools that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families,” EPISD said.

“We take immense pride in having the highest number of Purple Star campuses and being the only district with schools located on a military base,” El Paso ISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said. “The military families in El Paso are a vital part of our community, and being able to serve them fills us all with pride. My aspiration is for us to excel in every aspect, and it is a true honor to lead El Paso County in supporting the families who serve our nation. I am deeply thankful to every EPISD teacher and staff member whose hard work and dedication have helped us reach this significant milestone.”

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