DoDDs - Department of Defense Dependent Schools


The Department of Defense Dependent Schools-Europe (DODDS-E) provides an education to the children of Department of Defense military and civilian personnel stationed in Europe and the Middle East. The youngsters receive an American-style education and get the added educational benefit of living in a foreign country.
The 114 schools that make up DODDS-E are organized into five districts. The schools are located in 11 countries: Bahrain, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the UK.

The DoDDS Europe headquarters is in Wiesbaden, Germany. Administration of plans and programs is centralized in one office: the Director for DoDDS-Europe. DoDDS aims for a pupil-to-teacher staffing ratio and school funding better than that found in the United States. Per pupil expenditures are in excess of $12,000 and the staffing ratios are around 23:1 with targets of 18:1 in grades 1, 2 and 3.

There are numerous basic and supplementary programs to meet the needs of a varied student population. Basic programs exist for reading, mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, arts and humanities, physical education, health, career/vocational and computer education. Supplementary programs include foreign language, talented and gifted, host nation, compensatory education and special education. DoDDS also runs an extensive distance learning program enabling students in remote sites or small schools to take the most advanced courses.

DoDDS is in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees a free, appropriate public education to eligible students with disabilities. A full continuum of special education services is available. All DoDDS schools have received the stamp of approval of the North Central Accrediting Association in the United States.

DoDDS-Europe, like other school systems, has been stung by the charges that American education isn't up to the standards of other modern countries, and that the nation's future could suffer competitively as a result. It responds by pointing out that test scores for university entrance, for advanced placement programs and for all grades levels 3-11 indicate that DoDDS students are among the best in the nation. Minority achievement as reported in the National Assessment of Educational Progress is the highest in the 50 states.
Safety and awareness are always on the minds of the people in Europe these days. The schools work very closely with local commands to ensure that contingency plans are always at the ready. Policies on drugs, alcohol, safe schools, weapons, gangs, and terrorism are integrated with the military policies.

Registering a child requires:

1) Sponsor's travel orders or other similar documents of eligibility,
2) Child's immunization record,
3) Birth certificate of new kindergarteners or first graders to verify the date of birth and
4) Students records from the previous school. A space available, tuition payment program is also available for students whose parents are not affiliated with the military

Permanent transcripts are maintained at the school for four years after the student has withdrawn. Copies may be obtained by sending a letter requesting and authorizing release of records. The letter should be signed by the parent or guardian unless the student is over 18, in which case the student may sign it.

During the fifth year after the student has withdrawn from a DoDDS-Europe school transcripts are maintained at the Office of the Director, Europe. At the end of the fifth year after a student has withdrawn, transcripts are retired to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at Princeton, N.J. If the DoDDS school the student attended has permanently closed the transcripts are kept at the DoDDS-Europe office for five years and retired to the ETS at the end of the fifth year.
Additional information can be accessed through this web site:
www.dodds-e.odedodea.edu