Three DoDEA Schools recognized as 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education recognized 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. 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:

• Naples Elementary School (Naples, Italy)
• Rota Elementary School (Rota, Spain)
• Shirley Lanham Elementary School (Kanagawa, Japan).

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 40th 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. “The hard work and dedication of our teachers and students, as well as strong partnerships with parents and military communities, are reflected in the three schools recognized this year.”

A 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held later this year to allow the Department of Education to celebrate all of the public and non-public school honorees. 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.

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.