Department of Defense Dependents Schools

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) are a network of schools, both primary and secondary, that serve dependents of United States military - and other non-US - personnel outside the United States. The schools themselves are operated by the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).

History

DoDDS started operating schools October 14, 1946 for military workers' children overseas. Originally it cost $10 to enroll a child, and the schools would get money from profits made by Class VI stores (alcohol). It now can cost as much as $20,000 USD for enrollment for non-Command Sponsored military families, or Command Sponsored Contractors, and increases approx. 800 dollars a year. There were 38 elementary schools and 5 high schools to start out with. Now there are 120 schools (includes all levels) altogether, with only two high schools out of the original five still operating today, which are Heidelberg High School in Heidelberg, Germany and Kubasaki High School on Okinawa, Japan, although other high schools have been built later on. Surprisingly, the tenth largest American school system is outside of the United States. In the beginning, the Department of Defense Dependent Schools was created for dependents of military members of the armed forces in overseas areas. The children were American, the teachers were American and educational program is thoroughly American.Derrick, William M. The Phi Delta Kappan: Vol. 42, No. 2 (Nov., 1960), pp....
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