Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School in Wallingford (Delaware County), Saint Katharine of Siena Parish School in Wayne (Delaware County), and Saint Patrick School in Malvern (Chester County) were selected as part of the 2020 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools in an announcement made today by Betsy DeVos, the United States Secretary of Education.
The Archdiocesan schools are three of 367 schools and among only 50 non-public schools selected nationally for this distinction. Each school was chosen for this honor based on overall academic excellence. Two of the three received National Blue Ribbon School designation for the first time. Saint Patrick School previously received the designation in 2013.
The 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on November 12-13, 2020. Each school will receive their plaque and flags via mail.
Dr. Andrew McLaughlin, Secretary for Elementary Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, reacted to the announcement by saying, “We are extremely proud of the three elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia chosen as part of the 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools cohort. The fact that each of these schools has been recognized for academic excellence, during an extraordinarily challenging time in our world speaks volumes to the dedication of all those working within our Catholic schools each and every day to maintain high educational standards despite societal obstacles.
This award truly emphasizes the strong and successful partnership among administrators, faculty, staff, and school families. They work hard and make tremendous sacrifices each day because they believe in the gift of Catholic education. I offer my prayerful congratulations to the schools being recognized. They along with the other 36 elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia that have been chosen for Blue Ribbon distinction in the past, serve as reflection on the good being accomplished collaboratively at all of our Catholic elementary schools throughout the five-county Archdiocese.”
With the addition of the 2020 cohort, a total of 39 different parish and regional Catholic elementary schools in the five-county Archdiocese have been recognized with Blue Ribbon Status 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).
Editor’s Note: Listed in alphabetical order below are the three 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools
Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School; 607 South Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School opened its doors in 2012. It serves families from Nativity B.V.M. Parish in Media and Saint John Chrysostom Parish in Wallingford. Mother of Providence Regional Catholic School educates students’ minds, nurtures their hearts, and prepares them to be faith-filled members of the diverse local and global communities. The school’s dedicated and experienced teachers, are committed to their vocation, and create a dynamic learning environment that challenges students to reach their full potential. Parents invest their time, treasure, and talent to support the academic goals, further the values and beliefs rooted in the Gospel, and to promote Catholic social teaching. The students flourish within the intimate atmosphere where their unique gifts are identified and nurtured. Every student goes forth empowered with the gift of knowledge that lasts a lifetime.
In the 2019, the school was recognized with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia School of Distinguished Instruction by the Office of Catholic Education.
Saint Katharine of Siena School; 116 South Aberdeen Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087
Saint Katharine of Siena School (SKS) established in 1916 and guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, SKS is a Catholic community educating students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. SKS is committed to academic excellence through a rigorous learning environment that seeks to develop the whole child, integrating Catholic values of service and respect for all of God’s people. SKS fosters the spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth of its students in a spirit of dedication, freedom, and love based on the message of the Gospel. Each student is a child of God. Students are encouraged to become responsible leaders. They are supported as they grow in wisdom, age, and grace to assume their roles as informed, responsible, members of our Church and citizens of our country and our world.
The administration, faculty, and staff of SKS encourage each student to become Christ-centered by learning and following His commandments. They believe the school community is an extension of the Church. As such, it is united through the Eucharist, liturgical celebrations, daily prayer, and in service to others.
Saint Patrick School; 115 Channing Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355
Saint Patrick School has educated students for over 60 years. The school’s mission is a legacy of strong Catholic educational values. Its purpose it to teach Christ’s message in a faith-sharing community through witness and service.
The faculty strives to develop the spiritual, academic, physical, personal and social well-being of each child in a Christ-centered environment. Curriculum, teaching techniques and evaluations are consistent with Christ’s message. Positive, cooperative and supportive relationships among students, teachers, administration, and parents enable students to develop to their fullest potential. By combining academic policy with a commitment to teaching the mission of Jesus Christ through a formal system of instruction, the school is helping children develop into productive adults with sincere Catholic Christian values.
Saint Patrick School previously received the designation in 2013.
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Editor’s Note: For information about Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please visit https://aopcatholicschools.org/. For a complete list of 2020 National Blue Ribbon Schools, please click here.
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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