DoDEA Europe West District schools earns Cognia Systems of Distinction Award

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Europe West District has been honored with Cognia® Systems Accreditation and named a 2025 System of Distinction, a prestigious recognition celebrating excellence in education and continuous improvement.

Cognia, a global nonprofit school improvement organization, evaluates schools and districts worldwide against rigorous standards focused on student learning, equitable resources, and effective leadership. This year, DoDEA Europe West District was selected among just 35 institutions worldwide—including 23 schools and 7 systems in the U.S., and 5 international institutions—to receive the honor.

“Congratulations to the 2025 Schools and Systems of Distinction for demonstrating excellence in education in meeting the Cognia Performance Standards,” said Cognia president and CEO Dr. Mark A. Elgart. “These institutions are living their commitment to improve the educational experience for every one of their students—a commitment that will serve these children for years to come.”

Superintendent Dr. Jason Ter Horst praised the achievement, saying, “This recognition reflects the dedication of our teachers, staff, students, and families across the Europe West District. Being named a Cognia System of Distinction confirms that our schools are providing high-quality learning environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive. We are proud of this collective achievement and remain committed to continuous improvement.”

During the 2024–2025 school year, Cognia conducted more than 1,110 accreditation engagement reviews. DoDEA Europe West District stood out for its commitment to growth in learning, a healthy culture, engaging and high-quality instruction, and effective leadership.

With this award, DoDEA Europe West District joins a distinguished group of schools and systems recognized for their dedication to educational excellence and continuous improvement.