At Lakenheath and Ramstein High Schools, clubs for LGBTQ+ students and minority groups have been suspended amid revised policies from the Defense Department, impacting around 67,000 students globally. This response to Trump administration directives includes the review of books addressing diversity and gender identity. Signs promoting inclusivity have been removed, and events like Black History Month celebrations have been canceled. Defense Department schools, historically insulated from political conflict, now face confusion as staff navigate the new guidelines. Some attempts to form clubs are hindered by the need for supervisory teachers amidst this uncertain climate.
At Lakenheath High School, which serves children of U.S. military personnel in Britain, the meeting of a club for gay students and their allies has been halted. Additionally, a Women in STEM group has also been suspended.
Similarly, at Ramstein High School in Germany, clubs representing students of Hispanic and Asian backgrounds, as well as the Pride and Ally club, have been placed on hold.
Across the globe, in schools with military families, literature is being reviewed due to directives from the Trump administration aimed at limiting discussions around gender identity and initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Up to now, only a handful of U.S. school districts have implemented significant changes in response to Trump administration policies. Most K-12 institutions largely operate under local and state governance, with minimal federal oversight.
However, the Defense Department school system, which caters to roughly 67,000 students from preschool to high school on military installations worldwide, stands out as a notable exception. As a federal entity, Defense Department schools have quickly adapted to meet these new requirements.
As part of this transition, not only have some affinity clubs associated with gender and race been paused, but Pride decorations have been taken down, and events for Black History Month have been canceled, as confirmed by interviews with students, parents, and a Defense Department memo.
This marks a significant shift for a school system that has typically remained insulated from political controversies in education, and whose students consistently achieve some of the nation’s highest math and reading scores.
Defense schools are situated globally, with some located on military bases in the U.S. and others in countries such as Belgium and Japan. The student demographic reflects a diverse racial and socioeconomic landscape, a characteristic that has persisted since the establishment of the school system to serve military families in the American South during a time of segregation.
“Diversity is, like, the core principle of our schools,” remarked Kadyn, a 16-year-old junior at Lakenheath High School, located northeast of Cambridge. He requested that only his first name be used, as he is the child of a federal employee.
Kadyn noted that at his school, “All Are Welcome” signs, which featured a rainbow flag and a Black Lives Matter symbol, had been removed from classrooms. He also mentioned that several flags representing foreign countries had been taken down. “I feel like we are losing the essence of what makes our schools thrive,” he expressed.
Will Griffin, a spokesperson for Defense Department schools, informed that the school system is examining its policies to comply with directives from President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who initiated a call for the cessation of cultural awareness months, such as Black History Month and Women’s History Month, in his early days in office.
Mr. Griffin mentioned that students retain the right to be involved in student-led organizations. However, these clubs must have a teacher to oversee meetings, and teachers within Defense schools are federal employees bound by the new directives.
It may be possible for student affinity groups to resume with volunteer supervision by staff members.
“We will continue to maintain our focus on providing a rigorous, high-quality educational experience for military-connected students to prepare them for success in college, careers, and life,” he stated.
In a memo dated February 5, Defense officials directed schools to refrain from using specific materials, including the book “Becoming Nicole,” which tells the story of a transgender girl and her family, listed as an independent reading option for grades six to twelve. A biography of Albert Cashier, a Union Army soldier born female who lived and fought as a man during the Civil War, was also noted as being under review in some elementary educational materials.
Additionally, content concerning gender identity and sexuality in Advanced Placement Psychology courses was deemed off-limits.
However, these orders have led to confusion and uncertainty as principals and educators attempt to interpret the guidance while librarians go through books across over 100 schools globally.
Actress Julianne Moore made headlines when she revealed that her book, “Freckleface Strawberry,” which tells the story of a 7-year-old girl who struggles with her freckles but ultimately learns to embrace her unique traits, had been pulled for review. “I can’t help but wonder what is so controversial about this picture book,” Ms. Moore, a former Defense high school student in Frankfurt, expressed on Instagram.
As of this week, however, “Freckleface Strawberry” is once again available for checkout, according to Mr. Griffin. He clarified that most books currently under review are not part of the mandated curriculum but rather additional resources found in classrooms or school libraries.
“Our principal was saying she was not going to request the library to remove books about Rosa Parks or Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” recounted Allie Allen, a mother of three children enrolled in Defense schools in Stuttgart, Germany. Nonetheless, she mentioned that a book referencing Black History Month might be subject to removal.
“There is not a lot of specific guidance,” she stated.
Students are left in a state of uncertainty, as noted by Sophia Carey, a 16-year-old junior at a Defense high school in Germany.
Sophia had aimed to establish a girls club at her high school, which would host an assembly for Women’s History Month, invite female speakers in military and scientific fields, and initiate a community project to supply feminine products in women’s restrooms both at school and in the surrounding community.
A challenge for her club and others has been securing a teacher to supervise. “Everything is so uncertain,” she lamented.
Eric Adelson contributed reporting.