News
Officials dedicate new SHAPE elementary and high schools
Stars and Stripes
November 17, 2014
Top military and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense Education Activity, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe dedicated the U.S. sections Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SHAPE school in Mons, Belgium. The new DODDS-Europe elementary and middle schools - to be followed by an American high school this winter - are the first to open as part of a joint venture with other countries to build a state-of-the-art campus on this NATO base in Mons by the end of the decade.
(Bob Purtiman/DODDS-Europe)
A long ribbon to accommodate 10 pairs of scissors was cut at a ceremony Monday held between the new SHAPE elementary and middle schools in Mons, Belgium.
Cutting the ribbon were Gen. Philip Breedlove, NATO supreme allied commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command; Department of Defense Education Activity Director Thomas Brady; Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, U.S. Army chief of engineers and commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and others.
The new Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe elementary and middle schools opened for classes in August. Work on a new American high school is scheduled to be finished in December, with the school slated to open later this winter, according to DODDS-Europe officials.
The new elementary and middle schools are the first to open as part of a joint venture with other countries to build a state-of-the-art campus on the NATO base in Mons by the end of the decade. The project to replace the aging SHAPE American and international schools costs an estimated $180 million — with the DODDS-Europe portion coming in at about $146 million, DODDS-Europe officials said.
Brady, in remarks at the ceremony provided by DODDS-Europe, said the new schools “are the two bookends of a master plan for a multinational school campus.”
“It is our hope that these new schools will become the catalysts that will eventually result in a school complex that serves the needs of students well into the future and beyond.”
Enrollment at all three schools is about 1,200 students. The elementary and middle schools feature a mix of general-purpose, art, science, music and computer rooms, plus a media center. The schools are equipped with wireless technology and an extensive “green” roof for energy efficiency, according to DODDS-Europe.
A common play area located in the heart of the campus will be shared by all students and was designed to encourage interaction and socialization between students from all nations represented at SHAPE.
Top military and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense Education Activity, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe dedicated the U.S. sections Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SHAPE school in Mons, Belgium. The new DODDS-Europe elementary and middle schools - to be followed by an American high school this winter - are the first to open as part of a joint venture with other countries to build a state-of-the-art campus on this NATO base in Mons by the end of the decade.
(Bob Purtiman/DODDS-Europe)
Top military and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense Education Activity, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe officially dedicated the U.S. sections Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at SHAPE school. DODEA Director Thomas Brady, pictured, delivered remarks during the ceremony.The new DODDS-Europe elementary and middle schools - to be followed by an American high school this winter - are the first to open as part of an international-funded venture to build a state-of-the-art campus on this NATO base in Mons, Belgium, by the end of the decade. (Bob Purtiman/DODDS-Europe)