Members of the military community in Stuttgart gathered Monday to celebrate Robinson Barracks Elementary Schools recent selection as a national Blue Ribbon School. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)

STUTTGART, Germany — Robinson Barracks Elementary students, educators and military leaders gathered Monday to celebrate their school’s recent designation as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The school, part of the U.S. Army Garrison in Stuttgart, was one of three Department of Defense Education Activity Schools to receive the honor in 2024.

“Your curiosity, your enthusiasm for learning and your commitment to excellence are an inspiration to all of us,” Col. Kirk Alexander, the Stuttgart garrison commander, said during a school assembly that marked the occasion.

School and district leaders also lauded teachers and students for their efforts during the event.

The Blue Ribbon School designation is given by the U.S. Department of Education to recognize schools that demonstrate exceptional academic performance or make significant progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

Robinson Elementary was selected as an “exemplary high-performing school.”

The other two DODEA schools to receive the Blue Ribbon honor in 2024 were West Point Elementary School at the U.S. Military Academy and Alconbury Elementary School in the United Kingdom.

In 2024, 356 schools nationwide received Blue Ribbon status.