For Immediate Release
September 23, 2024
Five Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore Receive 2024 National Blue Ribbon School Award from the U.S. Department OF Education
Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Department of Education announced earlier today that five Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore – Immaculate Conception School (Towson), Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (Ellicott City), St. John the Evangelist School (Severna Park), St. Joseph School (Cockeysville), and St. Mary’s School (Annapolis) – have been named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools. They are among 356 schools nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition and represent 12% of all non-public schools recognized in the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools.
“The National Blue Ribbon Schools award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child.”
“I am incredibly proud of our Catholic schools,” said Dr. Donna Hargens, Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “Achieving the distinction as a National Blue Ribbon School highlights the exceptional academic standards and the outstanding Catholic education we are committed to providing our students and families across the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”
The National Blue Ribbon Schools award is the highest honor bestowed upon schools by the United States Department of Education. Established in 1982 by Secretary of Education Terrell H. Bell, it recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that fall in either or both of the two performance award categories: Exemplary High Performing or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing. All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore receiving the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools award qualified as exemplary high performing based on their outstanding academic performance on national and state assessments.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.
Twenty-five Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have received the National Blue Ribbon School award, including 13 within the last 10 years. The complete list of National Blue Ribbon School awardees include:
- Archbishop Keough High School, 1987-1988
- Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, 1992-1993
- Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1984-1985, 1988-1989
- The John Carroll School 1995-1996
- Loyola Blakefield, Towson, 1986-1987
- Mount St. Joseph High School, Baltimore, 1988-1989
- Mercy High School, Baltimore, 1984-1985
- Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson, 1984-1985, 2012-2013, 2019-2020
- Immaculate Conception School, Towson, 2014-2015, 2024-2025
- Our Lady of Grace School, Parkton, 2014-2015
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ellicott City, 2015-2016, 2024-2025
- Resurrection-St. Paul School, Ellicott City, 2009-2010
- The School of the Cathedral of Mary our Queen, 2014-2015
- St. Augustine School, Elkridge, 2012-2013
- St. John Regional School, Frederick, 2009-2010, 2016-2017
- St. John the Evangelist School, Long Green Valley, 2016-2017
- St. John the Evangelist School, Severna Park, 2008-2009, 2024-2025
- St. Joseph School, Cockeysville, 2013-2014, 2024-2025
- St. Joseph School, Fullerton, 2015-2016
- St. Louis Catholic School, 2010-11, 2016-2017
- St. Margaret School, Bel Air, 2013-2014
- St. Mary’s, Annapolis, 2013-2014, 2024-2025
- St. Mary Catholic School, Hagerstown 2016-2017
- St. Rita Catholic School, Dundalk, 1986-87
- Trinity School, Ellicott City, 1989-90, 1998-99
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About Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools: Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore provide a Christ-centered education that is academically excellent and empowers students to reach their full potential–spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and morally. There are 39 archdiocesan Catholic schools located in nine jurisdictions throughout Maryland, including the city and county of Baltimore. The 34 elementary schools and 5 high schools enroll almost 17,000 students and are vibrant communities of faith and learning. Additionally, there are 12 Independent Catholic High schools and 6 independent elementary/middle schools in the archdiocese, serving over 8,000 students. Independent Catholic Schools are privately owned, operated, and incorporated. All schools comply with applicable teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. For more information on Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, please visit Archbalt.org/schools.
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