In collaboration with the Department of Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, OS offers the President’s Education Awards Program to encourage all students in Department-assisted overseas schools to reach their highest academic potential through awards for either outstanding achievement or improvement. In 2010, approximately 7,500 students from 97 of these schools received the President's Education Award. Approximately 80,000 students in Department-assisted overseas schools have earned this award since the inception of the program.
Department-assisted overseas schools have also participated in the American Citizenship Award Program, introduced in 2002, which honors students in elementary, middle, or high school, regardless of nationality, who have shown by their speech and actions that they possess the qualities and characteristics of a good citizen. The objective of the program is to promote appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship; build responsible, knowledgeable citizens; foster community service and volunteerism; strengthen student self-esteem; and inspire enthusiastic school spirit. In 2009-2010, this program honored over 600 students.
