Iowa City Community School District
Purple Star Program
Military-connected students often face frequent moves, school transitions, and the emotional toll of deployment. Students are those with a parent or guardian currently serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Reserve forces. Iowa also identifies military-connected students as those with a parent or guardian that is a Veteran or retired from military service.
The Purple Star designation ensures schools are equipped to support their academic and social-emotional needs. As Iowa does not have an active-duty military base, these supports are especially important to bridge potential service gaps.
| Location | Upcoming Dates |
|---|---|
| City High | March 2026 - Lunch for military-connected Students |
| April 2026 - Purple Day to honor and recognize and honor military-connected students and families | |
|
May 2026 - Salute to military-connected students at Soccer and Track |
|
| West High | April 2026 - Lunch for military-connected Students/Families |
| May 2026 - Purple Star School Graduate Recognition at Senior Awards Night (military-connected class of 2026) | |
| September/October 2026 - Salute to military-connected students at Football Halftime | |
| November 2026 - Purple Day to honor and recognize and honor military-connected students and families |
“Our Purple Star designation reflects a simple promise: military-connected students and their families will find stability, understanding, and opportunity in our schools. We are proud that our high schools have earned this honor, and we’re committed to the training, partnerships, and supports that help students thrive through every transition. This work strengthens our community, and it’s the standard our students deserve.”
Superintendent Matt Degner