Discovery STEM, Greenwood earn Purple Star 1st Award recognition
Published October 29, 2026
Discovery STEM Academy and Greenwood Elementary School were recognized with the 2026-2027 Purple Star 1st Award from the Virginia Department of Education.
The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. military, according to the VDOE. The 1st Award is the initial recognition for a school receiving the award for the first time.
"Receiving the Purple Star Award is an incredible honor for Greenwood Elementary and reflects our commitment to ensuring military-connected students and families feel welcomed, valued and supported," said Greenwood Principal Ethel Francis. "We celebrate the strength, resilience and unique experiences our military families bring to our Gator community, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve them."
DSA and Greenwood became the fourth and fifth Newport News Public Schools communities currently receiving Purple Star designation, joining Katherine Johnson Elementary School, General Stanford Elementary School and Ella Fitzgerald Middle School.
"It is truly an honor for Discovery STEM Academy to receive the Virginia Distinguished Purple Star Award for the very first time," said DSA Principal Viveca Rutland. "We are incredibly proud to be recognized for creating a school community where our military families can thrive."
The award status is valid for three school years. Recipient schools receive an award recognition resolution, a 1st Award Purple Star challenge coin and a logo to display showcasing the honor. The coin is its nod to the military community that is known for the practice of bestowing unit coins to those who have contributed to the mission, according to VDOE officials.
"On behalf of your military-connected and newest students, please accept my sincerest appreciation to all involved in making your school a welcoming and supportive place, especially for our military-connected students," Dan Dunham, VDOE military student and family specialist, wrote in an email announcing the award.
Greenwood maintains an active and intentional peer-to-peer transition support system designed to ensure that military-connected students experience a welcoming, supportive, and connected school community, according to school officials.
Recognizing that military-connected children may experience frequent school transitions, family deployments, changes in routines, separation from loved ones, and the challenge of establishing new friendships, Greenwood places significant emphasis on helping students develop meaningful relationships with peers. Its approach extends beyond adult-provided services by intentionally creating opportunities for military-connected students to support one another, develop friendships, share common experiences, build coping skills, and establish a sense of belonging within the Greenwood Gator community.
Student-centered opportunities include connecting incoming students with other military-connected peers, numerous ongoing interaction opportunities including fifth grade students serving as mentors for younger students, deployment and ongoing social-emotional support, building community through military-focused events and preparing students for their next transition.
DSA's support for military-connected students includes peer-to-peer interactions from a student's enrollment through their transition to their next school, specialized professional development for staff and tailored continuity of services for students with disabilities.
Discovery STEM Academy is uniquely positioned to support military-connected students through an inclusive, innovative, and student-centered STEM learning environment, according to DSA's Purple Star application. As a K-5 STEM magnet school, DSA provides students with hands-on, problem-based learning experiences that emphasize collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving.
"Our school mission is focused on fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student can grow and excel while developing innovative leaders and culturally responsive thinkers as future STEM champions," the application reads. "This commitment is particularly important for military-connected students who may transition between schools and communities throughout their educational experience."
