School Physical Activity Award - Application Process Opens
The Louisiana Department of Education recognizes 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 LDOE recognizes and celebrates exemplary schools through the School Physical Activity Award program.
The School Physical Activity Award application process is now open. All applications, materials, and the timeline are available in the resources section.
All school systems are encouraged to select schools as their local-level honorees and submit these selections to the state process.
State-level applications are due by December 9, 2025 and are to be submitted in the School Physical Activity Award online application portal.
School Physical Activity Award Application Portal
School Physical Activity Award Honoree Announcements
School Physical Activity Award Resources
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 2025-2026 Louisiana Models of Excellence.
School systems may submit nominations for a school or a system-wide initiative through the online portal.
Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis; however, nominations must be submitted by February 2, 2026 to be considered for the 2025-2026 school year.
Previous Louisiana Models of Excellence Honorees
Louisiana Models of Excellence Resources
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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