DoDEA Begins School Year 2012-2013
As the Department of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) opens doors at 194 schools throughout the world, many improvements and new programs will be under way to make this school year exceptional. DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for nearly 87,000 Department of Defense (DoD) dependents around the world.
As the Department of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) opens doors at 194 schools throughout the world, many improvements and new programs will be under way to make this school year exceptional. With a goal of excellence at all levels, DoDEA plans, directs, coordinates and manages pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education programs for nearly 86,000 students around the world.
DoDEA’s mission is to “Educate, Engage, and Empower Each student to succeed in a dynamic world.”
“Our focus this year is very simple,” said DoDEA Director Marilee Fitzgerald. “Every child has a great teacher. Every school has a great Principal and every school is a high-performing school.”
DoDEA is a unique school system serving the children of our Nation’s Service members and civilians, crossing far more than school district and state boundaries, with schools on three continents. DoDEA maintains three areas of operation: DoDEA Americas or our Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) stateside, and DoDEA Europe and Pacific or Department of Defense Dependents Schools, (DoDDS) Europe and DoDDS Pacific.
A total of 194 schools in 14 school districts are operated by more than 16,000 employees in these three areas. Additionally, our DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS) serves DoDEA-eligible students, whether they are enrolled full-time at DVHS or are supplementing their other DoDEA coursework.
In recognition of the 1.2 million military children who do not attend DoDEA schools, DoDEA has the opportunity to share resources with military-connected public school districts to increase student success, provide professional development for teachers, implement support practices that minimize the impact of transition and deployment, and provide access to rigorous educational opportunities.
DoDEA is a DoD field activity operating under the direction, authority and control of the Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
All DoDEA schools are accredited by AdvancED®.
DoDEA-Americas (Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools - DDESS-DoDDS-Cuba), with headquarters in Peachtree City, Ga., is composed of five districts, with 65 schools in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. DoDEA Americas employs approximately 4,100 people. While the schools on Guam are officially DDESS entities, they are managed on a daily basis by DoDEA Pacific.
DoDEA Europe (Department of Defense Dependents Schools - DoDDS), headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, operates 80 schools in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Bahrain and England.
DoDEA Pacific (Department of Defense Dependents Schools - DoDDS), headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, operates 49 schools in Japan and South Korea. While DoD schools on Guam are officially DDESS schools, they are managed on a daily basis by DoDEA Pacific.
For current enrollment data for each school, district, and area please visit the DoDEA Enrollment Data page.
DoDEA Back to School Fast Facts:
Transportation Facts
Every Year:
- DoDEA buses drive more than 56,000 miles.
- DoDEA transports 50,956 registered riders.
- DODEA has 1,561 bus routes.
DoDEA Student Facts
DoDEA Americas
- # of Districts- 6
- # of Schools- 65
- # of Employees- 3,987
- # of Students- 27,000
DoDEA Europe
- # of Districts- 5
- # of Schools- 80
- # of Employees- 4,741
- # of Students- 35,000
DoDEA Pacific
- # of Districts- 3
- # of Schools- 49
- # of Employees- 3,131
- # of Students- 24,000
Projected for SY12-13
School Year 2012-13 Calendars
DoDEA schools begin School Year 2012-13 on different dates in each area. School breaks vary in each area as well. School calendars can be viewed at School Calendars Website.
21st Century Education
As the new school year begins, DoDEA is focusing its energies this year on continuing a major Military Construction (MILCON) and 21st Century Schools initiative that began last year.
Assessments and Student Performance
In support of a challenging curriculum, DoDEA continues to measure student performance with a variety of assessments, such as the TerraNova, the PSAT, and the SAT. At the end of the year parents receive the scores for the TerraNova.
Community Strategic Plan
DoDEA, along with students, parents, military leaders and other stakeholders, is launching the new Community Strategic Plan (CSP) aimed at achieving our mission to "Educate, Engage, and Empower Each student to succeed in a dynamic world."
DoDEA Attendance Program: Be Here!
School attendance is important and in order to receive the best education, students need to Be Here! DoDEA's system-wide attendance policy for students is consistent with those found in many public schools throughout the United States.
DoDEA GradeSpeed
GradeSpeed. GradeSpeed is a web-based program that enables parents to log-in to view grade and attendance data for their student(s). GradeSpeed will be the only authorized and supported grade book used by DoDEA employees in Grades 4-12.
DoDEA Leadership & Commitment
DoDEA is charged with the responsibility and privilege of educating and supporting the children of our nation’s military, and we are fully aware of the toll that war and conflict has placed on our Service members and their families. In providing the absolute best educational experiences possible for their children, we strive to honor and support their valor and service.
DoDEA Virtual High School
As a fully accredited virtual learning program, the DoDEA Virtual High School (DVHS) offers flexibility for DoDEA secondary students to meet academic and career goals...
DoDEA's Bullying Awareness and Prevention Program
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem across our nation. It's what happens when someone repeatedly hurts or threatens another person on purpose. Bullying comes in many forms—name—calling, leaving people out, spreading rumors or physically hurting someone. And it can happen in person, in writing, online, on cell phones, in school, on the bus, at home, or anywhere. It is not a normal rite of passage, it has serious consequences and it's NOT acceptable.
DoDEA's Educational Partnership
DoDEA’s ability to impact educational outcomes for children of military families is best leveraged through outreach and partnerships with school districts, professional organizations, and most importantly parents.
DoDEA's Student Meal Program
The DoD Student Meal Program follows the same USDA regulations and guidelines as schools throughout the United States for nutrition and meal components. School menus follow USDA nutritional requirements. Students who qualify under federal guidelines are provided free and reduced-price meals.
DoDEA's Student Transportation Program
A great deal of planning and coordination is involved in operating DoDEA's worldwide student transportation system. More than 50,000 DoDEA students are registered bus riders
Graduation Requirements
DoDEA is revising its high school graduation regulation and needs input from parents, students and the community.
Library Information Centers
DoDEA will launch a fully integrated library automation system which will allow our students to access school library materials, eBooks, and information from over 25 online databases through one search box.
Parent Involvement
As parents, you play a vital role in your child’s education. The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring that the children of military families in DoDEA schools receive an excellent education that prepares them for successful careers and to be active contributors to their communities and the nation...read more.
Special Education
DoDEA knows that all students can learn when instruction is geared to the students' strengths and when the students are given sufficient opportunity to learn.
The Common Core State Standards
DoDEA is adopting the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) into its curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs. Adopting the CCSS will benefit DoDEA's highly mobile student population which moves frequently between public schools and DoDEA schools.
