Blue Ribbon School

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Recipient

On September 07, 2012, the United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, recognized St. Augustine School as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and non-public elementary, middle and high schools whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students. The program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices.

Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals. Using standards of excellence evidenced by student achievement measures and the characteristics known from research to exemplify school quality, the Department celebrates outstanding schools from states across the country.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria:

1) Schools whose students are high performing. These are schools ranked among each state’s highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or, in the case of private schools, that score at the highest performance level on nationally-normed tests; or

2) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that improve student performance to high levels as measured by the school’s performance on state assessments or nationally-normed tests.

St. Augustine School qualified by the first criteria-high test scores. A number of parochial schools nationwide qualified and only 50 were selected based on a detailed application that describes our school unique programs and accomplishments.

“America’s long-term economic prosperity and civic engagement depends on our children receiving a world-class education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “National Blue Ribbon Schools are committed to accelerating student achievement and preparing students for success in college and careers. Their success is an example for others to follow.”

Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence received a plaque and flag at an awards ceremony on November 12, 2012 in Washington, DC. Honored schools serve as models of excellence for other schools throughout the nation.