Clayton High School Earns Purple Star School Designation for Supporting Military-Connected Students
Clayton, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Education has awarded Clayton High School the distinguished Purple Star School designation, recognizing the school’s outstanding commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
The Purple Star School program honors schools that demonstrate a strong dedication to students from military families, ensuring that their academic, social, and emotional needs are met as they transition between schools and communities. Based on statewide data from spring 2025, New Jersey is home to more than 10,000 military-connected students, each deserving a supportive and stable educational environment.
“Being named a Purple Star School is a true honor,” said Principal Matthew Slater. “This recognition reflects our school’s ongoing efforts to ensure that every student – especially those in military families – feels connected, supported, and valued within the Clayton community.”
To earn the Purple Star designation, Clayton High School met a comprehensive set of criteria developed by the New Jersey Purple Star Working Group. These include appointing a dedicated staff liaison for military-connected students, providing staff training, offering peer-to-peer and counseling support, and maintaining accessible resources for families navigating school transitions.
Superintendent Nikolaos Koutsogiannis praised the achievement, noting, “This recognition represents the heart of what we value in Clayton-relationships, belonging, and service. Our staff and students work every day to create a school culture where every learner is seen and supported. We are especially proud to honor the sacrifices and resilience of military families through this distinction.”
The designation is valid from October 2025 through June 30, 2028, after which the school may apply for renewal.
(published in The Sentinel of Gloucester County Printed/Digital Edition Week of 11/6/2025)