Blue Ribbon Schools
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia have won more National Blue Ribbon School awards than any diocese in the country.
2022 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Winners
For 2022, we are proud to announce that Corpus Christi Catholic School in Lansdale and Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School in King of Prussia have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. This is the second time Corpus Christi has been honored.
They are the only two winners in the state of Pennsylvania among private schools, and their recognition adds to the 46 other National Blue Ribbon School awards given to Elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since the program began.
Why are schools here a national leader?
We like to think it’s because we adhere to the teaching of St. Francis de Sales: “Be who you are and be that well.”
Becoming a Blue Ribbon School recognizes high test scores and academic performance. But the foundation is built long before a student answers the first question on a test. It begins with a committed faith community of highly motivated, caring and expert teachers, administrators, parents and pastors and who elevate each individual child and their academic and spiritual needs to ensure they reach their potential.
We congratulate all of our National Blue Ribbon School designees.
By the Numbers
48
National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards presented to Elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 1985
17%
Share of Philadelphia Archdiocesan schools among all U.S. winners in the private school category in 2021
9
Number of Archdiocesan schools that have been named a National Blue Ribbon School twice
What The Winners Say
St. Patrick School, Malvern
Patricia O’Donnell, Principal
Blue Ribbon School Winning Years: 2020 and 2013
"It shows the strength of our academic program and shows the depth, dedication and creativity of our teachers. It also shows the strength of our community. Our parents have expectations and this goes hand in hand. And the third aspect, at least for us, is that the Blue Ribbon shows the strength of our parish commitment. By winning it makes the whole parish proud.
When I look at it, what it does for us is continue to push us. I look at is as a challenge to keep improving and making us better – it allows for us to keep raising expectations, which is a good thing."
St. Mary Interparochial School, Philadelphia
Jayda Pugliese, Principal
Blue Ribbon School Winning Year: 2016
"We were founded in 1782. We’re the oldest Catholic school in the United States. But we don’t have a parish. We serve 30 zip codes and a wide range of socio-economic groups and ethnicities. Since Blue Ribbon School awards are based on test scores, (winners must place in top 15% of schools in the country) it shows that success doesn’t matter where a student is coming from. There are no excuses for us. This demonstrates that urban schools can be successful.
But our success is not an accident. We’ve still got to do the work. Our teachers are mission driven and hold our students to high standards."
St. Andrew SCHOOL, Newtown
Robert Sikora, Principal
Blue Ribbon School Winning Years: 2021 and 2013
"Being a Blue Ribbon School puts an exclamation point on all that we’re doing and shows that Catholic education is all that you thought it was. It also highlights the work of all of the people in our community – the parents and teachers and students. It’s a pat on the back for sure, but it also recognizes that we’re doing great things."