Canutillo Independent School District has reason to celebrate as two of its schools, Canutillo High School and Canutillo Middle School, have recently been honored with the Purple Star Designation by the Texas Education Agency. This prestigious recognition is not handed out lightly; it's reserved for schools that go the extra mile in supporting students and families connected to the military.
This addition brings the number of Purple Star schools in the district to six, with Alderete Middle, Davenport Elementary, Childress Elementary, and Reyes Elementary having received the accolade last year. According to Canutillo ISD, this distinction underscores a deep-rooted commitment within the district to the military community, especially given its location near Fort Bliss.
The Purple Star Designation is part of a program initiated in 2019 aimed at helping military-connected students adapt to new school environments. To qualify, schools must meet rigorous standards such as appointing a campus military liaison, developing resources for military families online, and establishing programs that facilitate student transitions.
At Canutillo High School, the approach to earning this designation has included not just the standard compliance criteria, but a dedication to meaningful engagement with the military. "Canutillo High School is honored to be recognized as a Purple Star campus," Principal Candace Marrufo said, as per Canutillo ISD. "We are committed to ensuring that military-connected students and their families feel supported and welcomed as they transition into our school community. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our staff and students." In addition to such outreach, the school also ensures that students transferring from different educational systems can still meet Texas graduation requirements.
