We are proud to be recognized as a Virginia Distinguished Purple Star School, a distinction that reflects our strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families. At St. Matthew’s, we are honored to serve a community that includes a significant number of military families. Our deep connection to the armed forces is a vital part of who we are, and we remain dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for those who serve and sacrifice.
Additionally, our Principal is a retired Navy Commander, and many of our teachers and staff are either veterans or spouses of active-duty service members. This deep well of personal experience gives us a unique, first-hand understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges military children often
face. It also allows us to create a school environment that is not only welcoming, but truly empathetic to the needs of our military families.
For more information about Purple Star school designation and resources, click here to visit the Military Child Education Coalition website.
For Admissions information, please click here.
Meet our Military Liaisons, Allison Gagnon and Erica Nicoletti
Allison Gagnon currently serves as the General Manager of Food and Beverage at the Norfolk Scope Arena, overseeing all aspects of concessions, catering, and hospitality for a wide variety of events. She is also proud to step into the role of Military Liaison for SMS, a position that holds deep personal significance. Her husband, a Senior Chef in the U.S. Navy, has proudly served for 18 years, giving her family a firsthand understanding of both the rewards and challenges of military life. Now in their second year at SMS, the Gagnons have come to truly value the school’s strong and supportive community. Allison is excited to help strengthen the bond between military families and the school, and to serve as a resource for those navigating similar experiences.
In addition to being the Military Liaison, Erica serves as one of the two school nurses at SMS and brings a wealth of experience to the community. In addition to her role on campus, she is an adjunct professor of pediatric nursing at Old Dominion University and a staff nurse in the Inpatient Pediatrics Ward at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She is honored to serve as a Military Liaison at SMS, a role that aligns closely with her personal and professional background. As a retired Naval Officer, Erica spent the first half of her military career as a helicopter pilot and the second as a Nurse Corps Officer. Her husband is also a retired Naval Aviator. Together, they have two sons: their eldest, an SMS graduate, now attends CHS, while their youngest is currently a middle schooler at SMS. Erica is deeply passionate about supporting military families and ensuring they feel welcomed and connected within the SMS community. Having experienced military life from both the perspective of a service member and a spouse, she understands the unique challenges these families face. Her goal is to provide guidance, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging to every military family at SMS.
One of our Liaisons can also connect you with the Faculty Advisor to our Student Council Association (SCA), whose members serve as a student transition team to welcome new students to our school. Our friendly Student Sponsors assist new students in familiarizing themselves with our campus and our school’s procedures and ensure your student finds a peer group with which they are comfortable. For more information, they can be reached at [email protected].
Our Military Lunch Group meets at different grade levels and is led by Mrs. Cheryl Johnson, our School Counselor. The Military Lunch Group provides an opportunity for students of parents stationed at home and deployed to talk about their experiences and feelings with other students, as well as participate in some military-themed artistic activities.
Military Family Emotional Support Resources
Tutoring Services for Military Students
For information about additional academic programs, please see the links below.
FOR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, please view the Activities menu above.
For Military Assistance within the Hampton Roads community, , you can visit Military OneSource or the Virginia Department of Education Military Families page to answer many of your military family-related questions or concerns. You can learn more about our diocese’s support for military families relocating to the area ahere.