Quotes provided by Dorchester Two School District

COLUMBIA, SC (SCDVA)- On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, Dorchester School District Two became the 11th school district in South Carolina to be designated as a Purple Star School District. The school district held a ceremony to commemorate the designation. WATCH the previously recorded live stream of the designation ceremony here.

Purple Star School Districts receive their designation from the South Carolina Department of Education when they demonstrate that they are able to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of Servicemembers, Veterans, and their families. According to Dorchester Two, with more than 1,800 military-connected students enrolled, the district’s military family population is the third largest among South Carolina school districts.

“This certification tells our military families that we understand the complex transition students may face when they join or leave our district,” Dorchester Two Superintendent Dr. Shane Robbins said. “I am proud of our team for working so hard to earn this honor, which is another demonstration of why Dorchester School District Two is such a special place.”

Dorchester Two Chief of Military Community Relations Karean Troy said, “Building and maintaining this structure of support will ensure that we meet the unique needs of military-connected students and prepare them to be successful in college, the workforce, and in life.”

“Joint Base Charleston is honored to be in a community that values the well-being of military members and their families, and we are very excited that Dorchester School District Two has earned the Purple Star designation,” said COL. Michael Freeman, Joint Base Charleston commander. “This accomplishment will benefit our military families for years to come.”

“South Carolina prides itself on being a military-friendly state, serving over 16,000 military-connected families annually. We are excited as Dorchester School District Two receives its designation as a Purple Star School District,” said State Superintendent Molly Spearman.

The non-profit Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is the national advocate for Purple Star Schools, a grassroots initiative that encourages states and school districts to establish Purple Star School programs. The primary goal of these programs is to ensure that staff can help manage the academic requirements and planning challenges military-connected children face when they move between different schools.

These programs award Purple Star School designation to K-12 schools within the state or district that have committed to supporting military-connected children through specific measures.

Dorchester Two now joins 10 other Purple Star school districts in South Carolina:

• Aiken County School District
• Richland County School District Two
• Kershaw County School District
• Sumter County School District
• Richland County School District One
• Charleston County School District
• Berkeley County School District
• Edgefield County School District
• Beaufort County School District and
• Anderson County School District One