ALEXANDRIA, VA — September 10, 2012 — Three Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools were recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Boeblingen Elementary/Middle School, in Boeblingen, Germany, Charles Turner Joy Elementary/Middle School in Chinhae, Korea and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) Elementary School in Mons, Belgium all received the honor - the most schools in any one year for DoDEA. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes schools based on their overall academic excellence or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels.

Secretary Duncan announced the 219 public and 50 private schools 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools at a ceremony at Arlington Traditional Elementary School in Arlington, Va. on Friday, September 7th.

"We are so honored to have three of our schools recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education," said Marilee Fitzgerald, DoDEA Director. "We want every child to have a great teacher, every school to have a great principal and every school to be high performing. These DoDEA schools demonstrate these qualities each and every day and set the bar for excellence in education."

In its 30-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,000 of America's schools.

"Our nation has no greater responsibility than helping all children realize their full potential," Duncan said. "Schools honored with the National Blue Ribbon Schools award are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their work reflects the conviction that every child has promise and that education is the surest pathway to a strong, secure future."

The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students' levels of achievement.

The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first category is "Exemplary High Performing," in which schools are recognized among their state's highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is "Exemplary Improving," in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

To select National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department requests nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools. The Secretary of Education invites nominated schools to submit an application for possible recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.

DoDEA consists of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools located overseas, and the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools located in the U.S. and its territories and possessions. DoDEA provides education to eligible DoD military and civilian dependents from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. DoDEA also provides support and resources to Local Education Activities throughout the U.S. that serve children of military families.