Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Doylestown, Saint Jude School in Chalfont, Saint Joseph/Saint Robert School in Warrington, and Saint Katherine Drexel School in Holland were among eight Catholic elementary schools selected as part of the 2018 cohort of National Blue Ribbon Schools in an announcement made by Betsy DeVos, secretary of the United States Department of Education (USDOE).
The schools are eight of only 349 total schools chosen nationally and among just 49 “nonpublic” schools selected. Each school was chosen for overall academic excellence and seven of the eight are first-time recipients of the National Blue Ribbon School recognition. Our Lady of Mount Carmel previously received the designation in 2006.
With the announcement, 31 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.
The USDOE will hold a recognition ceremony for Blue Ribbon Schools Nov. 7 to 8 in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the schools will be present.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School’s official National Blue Ribbon celebration will take place on November 15, beginning with a Mass of Thanksgiving, which will include a presentation of the National Blue Ribbon Flag and Plaque.
Mass, at 9 a.m., will be celebrated by Monsignor Charles Hagan, pastor, at the parish church, 235 E. State St., Doylestown. A school-wide pep rally will be held that afternoon. It will feature a talent show with performances by students and faculty.
A National Blue Ribbon Mass of Thanksgiving and school-wide celebration at Saint Jude Parish Church, 323 W. Butler Ave., Chalfont, is planned for Friday, Nov. 16. Further details regarding the celebration will be shared as they become available.
Saint Joseph/Saint Robert School, 850 Euclid Ave., Warrington, and Saint Katharine Drexel School, 1053 Holland Road, Holland, will hold their National Blue Ribbon celebrations in the coming weeks. Further details regarding the celebrations will be shared as they become available.
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