Five Catholic schools in Archdiocese of Baltimore honored as National Blue Ribbon awardees

Sporting blue sunglasses and holding signs proclaiming “We Did It!,” students at St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park greeted their parents while teachers, staff and the school’s eagle mascot shook pom poms and cheered at the end of the day Sept. 23.

Students rejoice after St. Joseph School in Cockeysville earned a National Blue Ribbon distinction on Sept. 23, 2024. (Candace Brecht Photography)

“We’re so cool. We’re a national blue-ribbon school!” everyone chanted as cars drove by with horns honking loudly.

While principal Dr. Glenna Blessing learned of the news earlier in the day, staff and students didn’t hear about St. John’s selection as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education until an assembly near dismissal time. The announcement was met with thunderous applause and cheering.

“It is huge and it is exciting,” Blessing said, wearing blue glasses. “We are all very proud of this recognition. It’s truly a blessing.”

The festive scene in Severna Park also played out at four other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore as the Catholic community celebrated having five of its schools named 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

The other local Catholic Blue Ribbon Schools are: Immaculate Conception School in Towson, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ellicott City, St. Joseph School in Cockeysville and St. Mary’s Elementary School in Annapolis.

Students celebrate after St. Mary’s School in Annapolis earned a National Blue Ribbon distinction Sept. 23, 2024. (Courtesy St. Mary’s School)

The five honorees are among 356 schools nationwide to receive the prestigious recognition and represent 12 percent of all non-public schools recognized in the 2024 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools.

All five local schools have previously been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools, with each now being recognized for a second time with the honor.

Archbishop William E. Lori said he is proud of the archdiocese’s Catholic schools, especially the students. He said he is also grateful to Catholic educators.

“Five Blue Ribbon Schools is an amazing achievement by any measure,” he said, “but the most important measure of all is the impact of Catholic education on our students and their families as they are formed in faith, virtue, academic excellence and social responsibility. The archdiocese strives to make Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible. It’s my hope and prayer that many Maryland families will discover the great value of our schools.”

Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese, said achieving 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 School award is the highest honor bestowed upon schools by the U.S. 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 each state, 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.

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Severna Park celebrates after winning National Blue Ribbon distinction. (Katie V. Jones/CR Staff)

Moments after Jonathan Pressimone announced to his students in an assembly that Our Lady of Perpetual Help School was a Blue Ribbon School, children excitedly bounced blue and white balloons in the air after a balloon drop. The principal then played his guitar and led the cheering youngsters in a song that emphasized that it takes all to make a community.

“This is not one person doing this (achieving Blue Ribbon status),” he told the students. “It’s your parents, it’s your teachers, it’s the staff, it’s you who made this possible,” he said.

At St. Joseph School, where students celebrated by eating Kona Ice treats and enjoying a jubilant assembly, school leaders expressed pride in the support their schools receive within the community.

“Receiving the National Blue Ribbon Award not once, but twice, underscores St. Joseph School’s commitment to academic excellence and development of the whole child,” said Maggie Bellamy, principal. “This recognition not only highlights our outstanding educators and dedicated students, but also reinforces our mission to foster a nurturing and faith-filled environment that prepares our children for a lifetime of learning through thinking critically, working purposefully and living faithfully.”

Students enjoy a Sept. 23, 2024, balloon drop at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Ellicott City following the announcement that it is one of five Blue Ribbon Schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for 2024-25. (Screenshot/Our Lady of Perpetual Help Facebook)

Megan Back, principal of St. Mary’s Elementary School in Annapolis, said the St. Mary’s community also “stands with immense pride” in being named a Blue Ribbon School for the second time.

“As one of only 50 nonpublic schools nationwide to earn this honor, it is a testament to our strong commitment to academic excellence, vibrant faith and the holistic development of our students,” she said.

The award serves as “a signature stamp of national excellence, recognizing the hard work, dedication and perseverance of our entire school community,” she said.
Heather Cucuzzella, principal of Immaculate Conception School in Towson said her school community was also honored and humbled to receive the award. The community marked the announcement with an assembly, parade and courtyard celebration.

“This is the direct result of the hard work of our students and the unwavering commitment to Catholic education on the part of our teachers, staff and families,” Cucuzzella said. “Academics, community and faith are at the core of everything we do here at Immaculate Conception School, and I am so very proud to share in this momentous achievement.”

Leaders of honored schools are expected to attend the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. Nov. 7-8.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore celebrated the awards announcement by festooning the entrance to the Catholic Center in downtown Baltimore with blue and white balloons.

Clergy congratulate students after Immaculate Conception School earned a National Blue Ribbon distinction on Sept. 23, 2024. (Courtesy Immaculate Conception School)

Growing List

Since its inception in 1982, 25 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, Baltimore, 1987-88
Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn, 1992-93
Calvert Hall College High School, Towson, 1984-85, 1988-89
The John Carroll School, Bel Air, 1995-96
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, 2012-13, 2019-20
Immaculate Conception School, Towson, 2014-15, 2024-25
Our Lady of Grace School, Parkton, 2014-15
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Ellicott City, 2015-16, 2024-25
Resurrection-St. Paul School, Ellicott City, 2009-10
The School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Baltimore, 2014-15
St. Augustine School, Elkridge, 2012-13
St. John Regional School, Frederick, 2009-10, 2016-17
St. John the Evangelist School, Hydes, 2016-17
St. John the Evangelist School, Severna Park, 2008-09, 2024-25
St. Joseph School, Cockeysville, 2013-14, 2024-25
St. Joseph School, Fullerton, 2015-16
St. Louis Catholic School, Clarksville, 2010-11, 2016-17
St. Margaret School, Bel Air, 2013-14
St. Mary’s Elementary School, Annapolis, 2013-14, 2024-25
St. Mary Catholic School, Hagerstown 2016-17
St. Rita Catholic School, Dundalk, 1986-87
Trinity School, Ellicott City, 1989-90, 1998-99

Katie V. Jones, Gerry Jackson and George Matysek Jr. contributed to this story.

This story was updated Sept. 25.

Look for an in-depth story on what makes the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s five 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools so successful, coming in our Catholic Schools Week special section in February.

To view more photos from the schools’ Blue Ribbon celebrations, click through the slideshow below: