Three DoDEA Schools recognized as 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Among the schools honored with Blue Ribbon status were three Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools:

• West Point Middle School (West Point, NY);
• Andre Lucas Elementary School (Fort Campbell, KY); and
• Brussels Elementary/High School (Brussels, Belgium).

The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. Schools are eligible for re-nomination after five years.

The Education Department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, student subgroup scores and graduation rates:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools – These are among their state’s highest performing in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The U.S. Education Department invites National Blue Ribbon School nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

“I am very proud of our newest National Blue Ribbon schools,” said Thomas M. Brady, DoDEA Director. “These are all exemplary institutions and reflect the dedication of our students and educators to achieve excellence around the world.”

Director Brady affirmed the hard work of DoDEA students, educators, families, and military communities in creating safe, healthy, and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

The 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually Nov. 4 and 5. Given the current pandemic situation, there cannot be an in-person celebration; however, the Department of Education will celebrate the 302 public and 23 non-public school honorees, and they will each receive their plaques and flags via mail.

In the near future, these three DoDEA schools will proudly fly the National Blue Ribbon School flag, a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at: https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.

DoDEA’s Blue Ribbon School webpage can be found at: National Blue Ribbon Schools page.

DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates, and manages Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for school-aged children of Department of Defense personnel who would otherwise not have access to a high-quality public education. DoDEA schools are located 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 Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.