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U.S. Department of Education Honors Christ the King School as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon Recipient

Catholic schools located in the archdiocese have received 120 Blue Ribbon Awards.

Chicago, (Sept. 16, 2022) – The Archdiocese of Chicago announced today that Christ The King School, in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, has been recognized this year by the U.S. Department of Education with a Blue Ribbon Award. The National Blue Ribbon Award is presented to a school based on its overall academic excellence or progress in closing student achievement gaps. Catholic schools in the archdiocese have received 120 Blue Ribbon Awards.  

“We are very proud of Christ the King School community for receiving this coveted award,” said Greg Richmond, superintendent of Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. “I congratulate the school’s administration, educators and staff for their unwavering dedication to their students and their families.”

Christ the King School was recognized under the category of “Exemplary High Performing Schools,” meaning the schools are among the state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. This is the school’s first time being recognized with a National Blue Ribbon Award. Dr. Ann Marie Riordan, principal at Christ the King School, will join other recipients at a two-day award ceremony in Washington, D.C., in November.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized a total of 297 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022.

"I applaud all the honorees for the 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award for creating vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school communities where students can learn, grow, reach their potential, and achieve their dreams," Secretary Cardona said. "As our country continues to recover from the pandemic, we know that our future will only be as strong as the education we provide to all of our children. Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students' lives."

With its 39th cohort, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award from the top education official in all states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education.