RICHMOND —The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children are recognizing 189 schools as “Purple Star” schools for the 2022-2023 school year. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. The following private and parochial schools also earned 2022 Purple Star awards: Browne Academy, Christ the King Catholic School, Peninsula Catholic High, Portsmouth Catholic Regional School, Saint Bernadette Catholic School, Saint Francis of Assisi School, Saint John the Apostle Catholic School, Saint Pius X School, Star of the Sea Catholic School and Saint Mary Star of the Sea School.

RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children are recognizing 123 schools as “Purple Star” schools. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated their commitment to meeting the needs of military-connected students and their families. This is the second year VDOE and the Virginia Council have designated Purple Star schools. Six private schools also earned Purple Star designations. These schools are Browne Academy in Alexandria, Peninsula Catholic High School in Newport News, St. Pius X Catholic School in Norfolk, St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle, and Chesapeake Bay Academy and Saint Mary Star of the Sea School in Hampton.

ARLINGTON - St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School for 2019 by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The honor was announced Sept. 26. St. Francis is one of 50 private schools to receive the award and the only school in the Diocese of Arlington to be recognized this year.

ARLINGTON – St. Francis of Assisi School, grades pre-K through eighth, in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington is being recognized as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for 2019 by the U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The award highlights the achievement of the students, educators, families and larger community at St. Francis of Assisi. Only 50 non-public schools are recognized annually. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Catholic Diocese of Arlington said, “I am very proud to hear that St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. This award acknowledges the quality of education at St. Francis of Assisi and demonstrates the collaborative efforts of parents and catholic educators in the academic and faith formation of our students. I commend and thank the entire St. Francis of Assisi school community for what they have accomplished and ask God to continue to bless all their endeavors.”

TRIANGLE - Tricia Barber, principal of St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle, hit the ground running when she started her job 25 years ago. She was knee-deep in the school accreditation process and construction of the school building within a month of being named principal.