Six Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore have been named Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools for 2026, accounting for a significant share of the state’s top-performing schools recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education.
The honored schools are Monsignor Slade Catholic School in Glen Burnie, Resurrection-St. Paul School in Ellicott City, School of the Incarnation in Gambrills, St. Augustine School in Elkridge, St. Joseph School in Cockeysville and St. Stephen School in Bradshaw.
The Blue Ribbon designation is Maryland’s highest honor for schools and recognizes top-performing public and private schools in Maryland. Blue Ribbon schools are selected based on their consistent high performance, specifically those scoring in the top 15 percent in math and reading on Maryland state assessments. The award also prioritizes significant academic growth.
The six schools were among 23 schools statewide receiving the designation. Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington represented 48 percent of the schools recognized.
Archdiocesan leaders said the recognition reflects the strength of Catholic education across the region.
“This demonstrates that our Catholic schools excel not only in fostering spiritual growth but also in delivering some of the highest academic standards in the state,” said Gregory Farno, chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “It is a true testament to the unwavering dedication and talent of our administrators, staff, and, above all, the hardworking teachers and students. I am incredibly proud of this achievement.”
School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese, said the awards underscore the connection between academic achievement and the mission of Catholic education.
“Academic excellence and faith formation go hand in hand in our Catholic schools,” Sister Patricia said. “These Maryland Blue Ribbon School awards affirm the dedication of our educators, the partnership of our families and the achievements of our students. Rooted in Christ, our schools nurture each child’s intellectual, spiritual and personal growth, preparing students to use their gifts in service to others. We thank the Maryland State Department of Education for this recognition and congratulate our honored school communities on this outstanding achievement.”
The state’s Blue Ribbon program had been discontinued after the 2019-20 school year, but was reinstated in 2025 by the Maryland State Department of Education after the discontinuation of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program by the Trump administration.
From the National Blue Ribbon School award’s inception in 1982 until it was discontinued, 25 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore had received the national honor.
Honored schools
- Monsignor Slade Catholic School, Glen Burnie
- Resurrection-St. Paul School, Ellicott City
- School of the Incarnation, Gambrills
- St. Augustine School, Elkridge
- St. Joseph School, Cockeysville
- St. Stephen School, Bradshaw
The Catholic Review will highlight the award-winning schools in the Catholic Schools Week special section of the February print edition and on CatholicReview.org.
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