Corpus Christi Catholic School in Lansdale (Montgomery County) and Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School in King of Prussia (Montgomery County) were as selected as part of the 2022 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools in an announcement made by Miguel Cardona, Secretary of the United States Department of Education, on September 16, 2022.
Corpus Christi Catholic School and Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School are two of only 297 total schools and among just 24 private schools selected nationally. These schools were chosen for this honor based on exemplary high performance. Corpus Christi Catholic School previously received this coveted distinction in 2011.
In a video message to the Corpus Christi Catholic School Community and Mother Teresa Regional School Community, Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez said, “On behalf of all of us in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I extend prayerful congratulations to our Catholic elementary schools named National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the United States Department of Education this year!” He continued, “It’s an incredible honor and one shared by all members of your school and parish community! I am proud of you for being a shining examples of the very best that Catholic education has to offer.”
Here is the direct link to the Archbishop’s full message, which has also been shared on his social media platforms. https://fb.watch/fAnzDWPqjD/.
With the addition of the 2022 cohort, Blue Ribbon status has been awarded 48 times to parish and regional elementary schools in the five-county Archdiocese since the program’s inception in 1982. Saint Genevieve Catholic School in Flourtown (Montgomery County) has received this honor more times than any other school in the Archdiocese (2000, 2006, and 2016).
The USDOE will hold a recognition ceremony for this year’s Blue Ribbon Schools on November 3 and 4, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Representatives from Corpus Christi Catholic School and Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School will be formally recognized at that time.
Corpus Christi Catholic School was recently recognized by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education (OCE) as a 2022 Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction. The school was one of 62 parish and regional elementary schools to receive this honor. In addition, Corpus Christi Catholic School was also one of 30 schools recognized by OCE for Growth and Exceeding Potential.
Recognition for Growth was determined by comparing the Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) score from this year’s testing to the NCE examinations taken by students in the previous academic year. These schools were found to have exceeded 90% or above in all content area with a rate of potential between 76 and 90%.
Recognition for Exceeding Potential was determined by analyzing the data from the ability testing (InView) and the achievement testing (Terra Nova) in which schools were found to have 90% of the classes meeting or exceeding their potential in all content areas at every level tested. In addition, 76-90% growth rate in all content areas at all grade levels.
The school’s mission statement is we the students and faculty of Corpus Christi Catholic School embrace our name, Body of Christ. Our mission is to be the Body of Christ in everything we do; wherever we go and in whatever we say. We respect the dignity of every person and share our message of hope. We want to follow the example of Jesus in our thoughts, words, and actions. Be the Body of Christ.
In 2021, Mother Teresa Catholic School was among the 23 parish and regional elementary schools recognized by OCE as Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction for Growth and Exceeding Potential. Recognition for Growth was determined by comparing the Normal Curve Equivalent (NCE) score from the 2021 testing to the NCE examinations taken by students in the previous academic year.
Mother Teresa Catholic School students consistently score above the national average in math and reading in the Terra Nova standardized achievement tests.
The school seeks to see a student body full of collaborative, curious, adaptive and technologically competent learners who, along with developing a deep Faith in Christ, will thrive academically and actively participate in the life of the Church.
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Editor’s Notes: For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit www.aopcatholicschools.org. For a complete list of 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools, please visit https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/.
Founded in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ academic achievement. Since the program’s founding, the U.S. Department of Education has bestowed this coveted award on more than 9,000 of America’s schools.
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