Europe's Back to School Year 25-26 Message
Dear DoDEA Europe Families, Educators, and Community Members,
As we prepare to welcome students back for the 2025–2026 school year, I want to extend my warmest greetings and sincere gratitude to our families, educators, support staff, and military partners across Europe. The beginning of a new school year is always a moment filled with energy, optimism, and renewed purpose—and this year, we are focused on setting the conditions for success in every classroom and every community we serve.
We are especially proud of the continued expansion of our Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) initiative. New classrooms are opening at Kleine Brogel and Ramstein Elementary Schools, building on our commitment to early learning This growth reflects our belief that a strong start leads to stronger outcomes, and that every child deserves the opportunity to develop with confidence and joy—becoming curious learners from the very beginning.
In another major milestone, Sembach Elementary School is preparing to transition to its new state-of-the-art facility after the winter break. Designed with student-centered learning in mind, the school will provide a safe, and modern environment that supports creativity, collaboration, and academic success.
Throughout this school year, we will continue to focus on preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. This work is supported by DoDEA’s new Strategic Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, which charts our direction through 2030 and reinforces our commitment to four core priorities: Student Excellence, School Excellence, Talent Excellence, and Organizational Excellence. It is a promise to continuously improve and innovate, while never losing sight of our responsibility to each and every student.
The Future Ready DoDEA initiative implemented this summer strengthens school-level support to enhance learning for military-connected students. It includes placing Administrative Officers in nearly every school to manage operations, freeing principals to focus on instructional leadership. We also added school psychologists bringing the average ratio from 1:900 to 1:700. These efforts reflect our commitment to building responsive, adaptable schools that prepare students for both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
The strength of our schools comes from the partnerships we maintain with our families and military communities. Your trust, involvement, and collaboration are essential to student success. As we begin this new year, I look forward to continuing to support the efforts underway in your local school communities and invite you to stay engaged, share your ideas, and be part of the journey ahead.
Welcome to a new year of learning, growth, and shared achievement. Together, let’s ensure this school year is defined by purpose, possibility, and progress for all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michelle Howard-Brahaney
Director for Student Excellence, DoDEA Europe
