Orange Beach Middle High School (OBMHS) stood tall among 75 schools from Alabama as it was honored at the Alabama State Board of Education meeting April 11 to receive the Purple Star School designation.

The Purple Star Schools Program, a collaborative initiative, aims to acknowledge the dedication of K-12 schools in supporting military students and their families during their transitions to new homes and schools. Established by the Legislature through Act 2021-7, the Alabama Purple Star Schools Program seeks to address high mobility challenges and foster military-friendly school environments.

Schools earning Purple Star School status receive a special Purple Star School Recognition Banner to display. Eric G. Mackey, the state superintendent, emphasized the importance of the program in a news release.

"We want to ensure every student who moves to Alabama is given every opportunity for academic growth and achievement – and the Purple Star School Program helps families identify military-friendly schools and helps local schools become more prepared to address the challenges facing these students," Mackey said.

To earn the Purple Star School designation, local schools must fulfill several requirements, including maintaining a staff point of contact for military students and families, hosting a dedicated Purple Star

Program page on their website and establishing a student-led transition program.
Optional activities include providing professional development for staff, passing a resolution supporting military children and families, hosting military recognition events and establishing partnerships with local military installations.

The Purple Star Schools program began in 2021, with 53 schools receiving the designation. By 2023, the number increased to 122. Now, nearly 250 Purple Star Schools stand in Alabama.

OBMHS joins this group as a 2024 Purple Star School, recognized for its unwavering support to military-connected students and families. In a ceremony held in Montgomery at the Gordon Persons Building Auditorium, Principal Chris Shaw accepted the Purple Star Banner on behalf of the school, highlighting the institution's commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment.

"We are immensely proud to be honored as a Purple Star School and will continue to uphold our commitment to the military families in our community," OBCS Superintendent Randy Wilkes said in a news release. "This recognition reaffirms our dedication to ensuring that every student, especially those from military families, receive the support and resources they need to succeed in our schools."