In 2019, Laurel Ridge was awarded the Purple Star Award by the state of Virginia. The Purple Star designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a commitment to students and families connected to our nation's military. The recognition was announced by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

To qualify for a Purple Star, a school needs to reach out to military families through a liaison and provide resources on issues such as transitions, academic planning, and community engagement. Laurel Ridge sponsors a Military Family Program to meet the needs of our Laurel Ridge military families. The program's goal is to connect military-affiliated families and students with each other and our school community. A variety of programs are available throughout the year. Some of the activities we organize are a family potluck dinner, appreciation breakfast, before-school military students services activities, and Purple Up Day.  

Susan Waring, LRES School Counselor, is your Military Family Liaison. She is very excited to get to know the military families and learn how best they can support you. Please contact Susan Waring for military family-related questions or resources.

Host Family Program

Laurel Ridge has a Host Family Program for all families. We want to support ALL new families as they get to know our Laurel Ridge Community. Host Families connect  with new families through phone or video chat, share information about Laurel Ridge, get to know each other and answer questions.

Let us know if you are a returning Laurel Ridge Family that would like to host a new family and introduce them to our community.

Let us know if you are new family that would like to be paired with a returning family and learn more about our community.

Thank you for your support and welcome to our new Laurel Ridge families!

Leadership opportunities are also available to our military 5th and 6th students. A welcoming committee of these students greet new students to Laurel Ridge, take them on a tour of the school and answers any questions newcomers might have about LRES. This allows them to feel welcome and connected, not just to students in their classrooms, but to the larger school community.

For more information about the Military Family Program, please contact Susan Waring, Laurel Ridge Military Family Liaison.