All five schools within the 2026 Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) Purple Star cohort kept their designation as part of this year’s application process.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children recognize schools as “Purple Star” honorees when they have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families.

These designations are good for three years, and then schools must reapply to keep their Purple Star status. All five schools had previously earned their first designations in 2023.

For the 2026-27 school year, the following schools earned their Purple Star:

• Churchland Academy Elementary

• Churchland Primary & Intermediate Elementary

• Cradock Middle School

• I.C. Norcom High School

• Manor High School

Last year, PPS was named a Purple Star division, meaning all schools within the division earned the Purple Star designation. This year’s achievement puts the division on the path to keep that division status in two years when it is time to reapply.

To learn more about the Purple Star designation, visit the VDOE webpage.