Polk County Schools and Tryon Elementary School have once again been recognized among North Carolina’s most military-friendly educational institutions, earning the prestigious Purple Star Award for the 2025-26 school year.
Tryon Elementary Principal Dr. John Mauldin and Exceptional Children teacher Mandy Wolfe, who coordinates the school’s military family support program, accepted the honor at a ceremony held April 24. The event featured remarks from North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green, North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette and Colonel Timothy Drieselein, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station – Cherry Point.
This marks the seventh consecutive year Tryon Elementary has received the Purple Star designation since the program launched in the 2019-20 school year – a streak that reflects an enduring commitment to military-connected students and families. For the district as a whole, it is the third time Polk County Schools has earned the honor.
The recognition carries special distinction this year. Polk County Schools was among just 13 districts statewide to receive the State Superintendent’s Purple Star District Award, given to districts where every school qualifies for the designation. The other recognized districts include Camden, Catawba, Craven, Currituck, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank, Hertford, Hoke, Jones, Lee, Lexington City, Onslow and Richmond County Schools.
Statewide, 598 schools earned Purple Star recognition this year – an increase of 143 over last year – with 34 districts represented across North Carolina.
To earn the Purple Star designation, schools must demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to military families, including designating a staff point of contact for military students, providing annual professional development on the unique needs of military-connected children, maintaining dedicated online resources for military families and operating a transition program to support students moving in and out of the school community.
“I’m thrilled to honor the record number of Purple Star schools and districts for their dedication supporting military-connected students throughout their educational journey,” Green said. “Your work supporting military-connected students and their families in North Carolina’s public schools makes a tremendous impact both inside and out of the classroom.”
