Chicago, IL ( September 10, 2008 ) - Six Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools were named by Secretary Margaret Spellings of the U.S. Department of Education as No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools, representing the most from any school system in the nation this year. This is the second consecutive year Archdiocesan Catholic schools have earned the distinction of being the school system with the largest number of No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools.

“The Blue Ribbon helps to externally validate the academic excellence we experience in our system of Catholic Schools in Cook and Lake counties,” said Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent, Office of Catholic Schools, Archdiocese of Chicago. “We are extremely proud that the schools of the Archdiocese have been awarded this distinction more often than any school system in the nation.”

The Catholic high school receiving the Blue Ribbon award is St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights, led by Rev. Robert M. Egan, CSV, President, and Mrs. Eileen Manno, Principal. More information on the school is available at www.saintviator.com.

The five Archdiocesan elementary schools and their respective principals and pastors are:

• Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Elementary School, Orland Hills, www.cardinaljbschool.com: Ms. Mary Iannucilli, Principal, and Rev. Edward F. Upton, Executive Pastor.
• Pope John XXIII School, Evanston, www.popejohn23.org: Mrs. Rosalie Musiala, Principal, and Rev. Britto M. Berchmans and Rev. Michael Solazzo, Executive Pastors.
• Queen of All Saints School, Chicago, www.qasparish.org: Ms. Stephanie M. Di Prima, Principal, and Rev. Wayne F. Prist, STL, Pastor.
• Saint James School, Arlington Heights, www.stjamesschoolah.org : Mrs. Judith M. Pappas, Principal, and Rev. William J. Zavaski, Pastor.
• St. Mary School, Buffalo Grove, www.stmarybg.org : Mr. Gary M. Campione, Principal, and Rev. Marc W. Reszel, Pastor.

More on Recipients >>

Since 2003, a total of 21 Archdiocesan Catholic schools have been designated as No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon Schools. This is the most from any school system in the nation under the new guidelines of the award program, which, prior to 2003, was known as the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award. Since 1983, Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools have received this distinction on 51 occasions.

The principal and a teacher from each school will receive a plaque and a flag signifying their No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon School status at a U.S. Department of Education ceremony on October 20-21 in Washington, D.C. Once they have returned to their schools, Masses, ceremonies and school pep rallies will be scheduled in celebration of achieving No Child Left Behind–Blue Ribbon School status.