Brookhaven Catholic School Receives Blue Ribbon Award

Catholic School was awarded the 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence designation by the United States Department of Education.

The Blue Ribbon, the most prestigious education award in the country, recognizes OLACS for excellence in student achievement, curriculum, instructional methods, professional development, and school leadership.

Principal Anita Nagel said the award is a great honor for the school. “From its founding staff, the Sisters of Mercy, to the present day administrators the Society of Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School has had outstanding educators. Together with the support and dedication of the families, we are able to provide an excellent education for the students both spiritually and academically.“

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School met the eligibility requirements for the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in part because its students consistently score among the highest performing schools in the nation in reading and mathematics as measured by a nationally normed standardized test.

The Department of Education also recognized the school’s dedication to its mission of creating a nurturing environment, grounded in the Catholic faith, which provides for the spiritual and academic development of each child.

“I am excited and thrilled with the announcement,” said the Rev. Jim Duffy, pastor of OLA parish. “But I have always known in my heart that our faculty and administration are par excellence and the school has always been a blue ribbon school of excellence.”

The National Blue Ribbon School award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools where students achieve at high levels or where the achievement gap is narrowing.  Before selecting National Blue Ribbon Schools, the Department asks for nominations from the top education official in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Bureau of Indian Education. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates private schools. A total of 413 schools nationwide are nominated. This year 304 schools are being honored; since 1982, more than 6,500 of America’s schools have received this coveted award.

Representatives from the school will attend a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C., in November where they will receive a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence flag and commemorative plaque. To celebrate the achievement, students and faculty will participate in a school-wide Day of Service honoring the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy who staffed the school from its founding in 1951.

Contributed by Our Lady of the Assumpiton Media department.