The Southern Boone County R-I School District is proud to announce its selection as one of nine school districts statewide to receive the 2025 Missouri Purple Star designation. This prestigious award, administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), recognizes school districts that demonstrate exceptional support and commitment to military-connected students and their families.
“This program is just one way to reiterate our state’s commitment to our service members,” said Commissioner of Education Karla Eslinger. “As we kick off April as the Month of the Military Child, it is an honor to award these Purple Star designations. Each of the schools and districts works to support service members and their families in their local community, while also ensuring military children are prepared for success later in life.”
The Purple Star designation is awarded to local education agencies (LEAs) that exhibit a strong commitment to ensuring military children—whether from active duty, National Guard or Reserve members, or military veterans—receive the support they need to succeed academically and socially.
“This recognition highlights our unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families within our community,” said School Superintendent Dr. Tim Roth. “At Southern Boone, we understand the unique challenges and sacrifices military families face. We are dedicated to providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and socially. This designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, who go above and beyond to create a welcoming environment for all our students."
The 2025 Purple Star designees will be formally recognized at the Month of the Military Child Kickoff event on April 1, 2025, at the Capitol Rotunda, hosted by the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and DESE.
For more information about the Missouri Purple Star Schools program and the criteria required for designation, please visit DESE’s Missouri Purple Star Schools webpage.