Back to School: DoDEA welcomes students worldwide for 2025-26 school year

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has officially kicked off the 2025-26 school year at schools across the globe.  

Students arrived with backpacks full of fresh supplies, excited to form new friendships and reunite with old friends. Many schools marked the occasion with special celebratory events – ringing in the new academic year alongside military leaders, chalking walkways with inspirational words, and hosting military band performances.

“Our classrooms are ready, our teachers are energized, and our students are eager,” said DoDEA Director Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez. “As we begin this new school year, our focus remains on preparing students to be future-ready – equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”

With the Phase II rollout of Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) this school year, Fort Campbell’s Barkley, Barsanti, Lucas, and Marshall elementary schools – along with Kleine Brogel and Ramstein Elementary Schools in Europe – join 80 other DoDEA schools in offering UPK to eligible military-connected students.

In addition to launching a new school year, DoDEA has also released its strategic Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, a five-year plan to support student, school, talent, and organizational excellence. The Blueprint reflects DoDEA’s commitment to ensuring every student receives a world-class education that prepares them not just for graduation, but for life’s challenges and opportunities.  

Approximately 66,000 military-connected students are enrolled in DoDEA’s 161 schools located in 11 foreign countries, seven states, and two territories.  

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages prekindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-age children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are in Europe, the Pacific, Western Asia, the Middle East, Cuba, the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico. DoDEA also provides support and resources to local educational agencies throughout the United States that serve children of military families.