The 2021 National Blue Ribbon School Honors Go to 18 Catholic Schools

Twenty-three private schools are recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools; 18 of them are Catholic schools.

Leesburg, VA – The National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) happily proclaims the good news that 18 Catholic schools have been honored as National Blue Ribbon Schools. This prestigious recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) announced that 325 schools became 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The list of honored private schools is 23, of which 18 are Catholic schools.

"Over the last year and a half, Catholic schools did everything possible to serve students," said NCEA President/CEO Lincoln Snyder. "I’ve referred to this effort as heroic heavy lifting from our servant leaders: staff, teachers, principals, diocesan leaders. That so many of the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools are Catholic schools is recognition of that heroism and something to celebrate."

As many as 420 schools may be nominated each year. The DOE invites National Blue Ribbon Schools nominations from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE).

The following Catholic schools are the 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools:

Saint Simon Parish School, Diocese of San Jose
Carmel Catholic High School, Archdiocese of Chicago
Prince of Peace School, Archdiocese of Chicago
Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Diocese of Covington
Saint Henry District High School, Diocese of Covington
Saint Paul’s School, Archdiocese of New Orleans
Saint Scholastica Academy, Archdiocese of New Orleans
Saint Robert Bellarmine School, Archdiocese of Omaha
Saint Brigid of Kildare Elementary School, Diocese of Columbus*
Seton Catholic School, Diocese of Cleveland
Saint Andrew Catholic School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Saint Ignatius of Antioch School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Saint Mary Elementary School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Saint Norbert Elementary School, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Bishop O’Gorman High School, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools
Christ The King Catholic School, Diocese of Dallas**
Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Diocese of Salt Lake City
Marquette University High School, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

*This is the third National Blue Ribbon School honor for Saint Brigid, and the only school in Ohio to receive this honor three times.

**This is the third National Blue Ribbon School honor for Christ the King.

For more information on the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website.

For more information, visit www.NCEA.org and connect with NCEA on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

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In service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, NCEA strengthens Catholic school communities by providing professional development, formation, leadership and advocacy.