Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that three Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are among a select group of schools nationwide to receive the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. Saint Joseph School, Cockeysville, St. Margaret School, Bel Air and St. Mary’s School, Annapolis bring the total number of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese to receive this honor to eighteen. The designation is the highest academic honor bestowed upon a school by the U.S. government. The schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, November 18-19.
“I am extremely proud of these three schools, whose accomplishments reflect the commitment to excellence of their teachers, students, and parents and of all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore,” said Dr. Barbara Edmondson, Superintendent of Schools. “Our schools today continue to build upon the outstanding legacy of Catholic education that began over 200 years ago by providing an academically-excellent, faith-based education and an unparalleled foundation for every child they serve.”
The Blue Ribbon program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. In 2012, there were 10 schools in Maryland to receive the honor, four of which were Catholic schools from the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington.
Of the 18 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore designated as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, 11 have received the designation since 2008. The complete list of Blue Ribbon schools includes:
- Archbishop Keough High School, 1987-88
- Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, 1992-93
- Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1984-85 and 1988-89
- Loyola Blakefield, Towson, 1986-87
- Mount St. Joseph High School, Baltimore, 1988-89
- Mercy High School, Baltimore, 1984-85
- Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson, 1984-85 and 2012-13
- Resurrection-St. Paul School, Ellicott City, 2009-10
- St. Augustine School, Elkridge, 2012-13
- St. John Regional School, Frederick, 2009-10
- St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park, 2008-09
- St. Joseph School, Cockeysville, 2013-2014
- St. Louis Catholic School, 2010-11
- St. Margaret School, Bel Air, 2013-2014
- St. Mary’s, Annapolis, 2013-2014
- St. Rita Catholic School, Dundalk, 1986-87
- The John Carroll School, Bel Air, 1995-96
- Trinity School, Ellicott City, 1989-90 and 1998-99
About Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:
- More than 27,000 students in 69 Catholic schools;
- 18 schools have received the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designation;
- Catholic elementary school students score in the top fourth nationally on standardized tests;
- Catholic middle school students score in the top third on standardized tests in reading and math;
- Catholic high school students average 100 points higher on the SAT than the national average; and
- 99% of students graduate high school; 98% attend college.
To learn more about an Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic school, call 1-800-5-CATHOLIC or visit www.archbalt.org/schools.