SCHOOL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AWARD – APPLICATION PROCESS OPEN
The Louisiana Department of Education recognizes that healthy and physically active students tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance, and classroom behaviors. Additionally, schools play a vital role in allowing students the opportunity for regular physical activity before, during, and after school. To recognize outstanding public elementary and secondary schools that are implementing an outstanding physical activity program, the Department will be recognizing and honoring exemplary schools through the School Physical Activity Award program.
The search is now underway for Louisiana schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting physical activity. The online application portal is open through January 21, 2027. All application materials and program information are available in the resources dropdown. All school systems are encouraged to select schools as their local-level honorees and submit those selections for consideration through the state-level application process.
Visit the School Physical Activity Award archives to learn more about current and past honorees.
For questions about the School Physical Activity Award program, email [email protected].
School Physical Activity Award Honoree Announcements
Online Application Portal
School Physical Activity Award Resources
School Physical Activity Archives
The Louisiana Models of Excellence initiative was created to acknowledge, honor, and spotlight schools and school systems that serve as exemplary models for implementing the Department’s educational priorities and advancing student success. This initiative has three main goals:
To create high-impact partnerships across school systems
To celebrate excellence in Louisiana schools
To share stories of success and provide models for others to see
The Department is now accepting nominations for the 2026-2027 Louisiana Models of Excellence.
Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis; however, nominations must be submitted by February 1, 2027, to be considered for the 2026-2027 school year.
School systems may submit nominations for a school or a system-wide initiative through the online portal.
Louisiana Models of Excellence Resources
Previous Louisiana Models of Excellence Honorees Archives
Purple Star School Award Program
To earn the recognition, schools shall engage in the following activities:
- Designate a staff member to serve as a military liaison and engage in the following:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for military connected students and families
- Work to identify special considerations needed by military-connected students and families
- Develop training to inform teachers and other school personnel of those special considerations
- Create a dedicated page on its website featuring resources for military-connected students and families
- Create a student-led transition program to provide peer support for military-connected students
The school system shall engage in the following:
- Adopt a resolution stating the commitment to support military-connected students and families
- Assign a central office staff member to be the contact for the school-based liaison and military-connected students and families
School systems who meet the above criteria should complete the Purple Star School Award form. Schools that earn the designation will be provided a printed certificate, a digital badge, and a digital badge will be added to the school's page on Louisiana School Finder. Please note, School Finder is updated three times a year.
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