Every November, as the nation honors the service and sacrifice of its veterans and military families, it also serves as a reminder that the life of a military family is unlike most others. Frequent moves and deployments can disrupt friendships and routines. It can also affect academic continuity.
Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) recognizes the unique challenges that come with being part of a military family, and we are proud to be designated as a Purple Star school for our commitment to supporting military-connected students. The Purple Star designation is awarded by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and recognizes schools that demonstrate a major commitment to students and families connected to the nation’s military.
Adapting to military life starts with understanding
Military families know what it means to adapt because their children have often attended multiple schools before high school. Many times, that also includes moving mid-year due to relocations or new assignments.
Virtual education also provides students with a sense of consistency at a time when their lives may be filled with constant change. Instead of starting over at a new school every time their family receives new orders, the education they receive at OHVA moves with them.
Students can continue their classes, keep their routines, and stay connected to their teachers and classmates even if they relocate across the state or transition through temporary housing. This continuity helps reduce the academic and emotional disruptions that often come with frequent moves, giving military-connected students a stable learning environment no matter where they go.
How OHVA honors service
OHVA’s Purple Star recognition is also part of a broader culture of respect and appreciation. The school employs several veterans on its staff, and their experiences have helped shape the empathy and insight behind the program.
Many of the staff who have served in the military frequently share their stories of sacrifice and what military life actually looks like. That perspective has helped the school better understand the need for stronger support.
In addition, those veterans on staff also play a hands-on role in the school’s programming. For example, they often lead Veterans Day assemblies and speak directly to students about service, leadership and gratitude. That type of involvement helps bridge the gap between classroom lessons and lived experience. It also helps to inspire students to appreciate the values of commitment and community.
Celebrating those who serve as well as those who aspire to
Support at OHVA extends beyond current and former military families. The school celebrates students who plan to enter the armed forces through its “Wall of Honor.” By featuring this wall, OHVA highlights its commitment to recognizing students’ dedication to service and honoring their decision to pursue military careers.
OHVA’s recognition of military service extends to other outreach projects run by the school. Each year, members of OHVA’s Middle School National Honor Society lead a service initiative to send hundreds of thank-you cards to veterans and active-duty servicemembers. A simple gesture like that really resonates deeply with those who receive the cards and is another way students learn the importance of giving back.
A full circle of support
OHVA’s Purple Star programming has evolved to embrace even more of the extended military community. It began as a resource for active-duty families, but now includes veterans, future servicemembers, and students recognized by the daughters of the American Revolution for their academic achievement and civic engagement.
This full network of support is reflective of the school’s commitment to ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and set up for success. For military families especially, that means helping them feel connected no matter where they are.
As we celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month, OHVA is proud of its commitment to those who serve and sacrifice for their country. By offering a flexible and stable virtual learning environment, military-connected students can learn, thrive, and succeed, from anywhere.
