The Collegiate School at Florida State University Panama City was among those recently recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction by the state Department of Education. Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Tuesday at Callaway Elementary School in Panama City.
The Purple Star designation indicates that The Collegiate School (TCS) supports the unique needs of military families, helps military-connected students navigate critical challenges and provides resources for military-connected students when transitioning to a new school environment.
“It is an honor to be recognized as a Purple Star School of Distinction,” said TCS Director Debbi Whitaker. “We appreciate being able to join all of the other schools in Bay County in receiving this accolade for supporting our military community, and specifically the children of military families.”
DeSantis announced that five districts — including Bay District Schools — and an additional 176 individual schools received the Purple Star designation this year from the Florida DOE.
“Florida is committed to being the most military-friendly state in the nation, and this program supports students as they relocate to new schools due to a parent’s change in duty station,” said Paul O. Barnes, DOE senior chancellor, in a letter announcing the Collegiate School’s distinction.
The Florida Legislature established the Purple Star School of Distinction designation in 2021 and the Purple Star School District program in 2024. The district-level award recognizes districts in which at least 75% of schools are Purple Star Schools.
In 2023, the Legislature expanded the Purple Star initiative to include state universities. Florida State University received Purple Star Campus designation in the same academic year.
“We are pleased to be part of a community that supports our military families,” said Dean Randy Hanna of FSU Panama City. “From top to bottom, the schools here in Bay County have always been very supportive of the military and their family members.”
Each school, district or campus awarded the Purple Star must reapply after three years to maintain its designation.
From its inception, TCS was designed to give preference to student applicants from active military families. Having opened in 2023 as a tuition-free developmental laboratory charter school, TCS offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and technical career preparation.
For more information about The Collegiate School, visit tcs.fsu.edu. For a complete list of Purple Star schools and districts, visit the Family & Community Engagement page at fldoe.org.