2019 National Blue Ribbons Schools

Congratulations to the two Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic Schools that were recognized as 2019 National Blue Ribbon Schools:

• St. Wenceslaus Catholic School
• Mount Michael Benedictine High School

 “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored and recognized great American public and private elementary, middle, and high schools since 1982. Every year, Catholic elementary and secondary schools are among the hundreds of public and private schools identified by the U. S. Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools”… “Each state’s commissioner of education nominates public schools for the award and the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) nominates the private schools. Representatives from each school are invited to an awards ceremony in November in Washington, D.C.

This award is a great tribute to the dedication of faculties who clearly value academic excellence, as well as to the commitment of students who strive to succeed to the best of their ability. Each of these schools exemplifies the best of Catholic education, and all of us at the National Catholic Educational Association are extremely proud of the efforts of these school communities that led to this tremendous accomplishment.”- NCEA (National Catholic Education Association)

A National Blue Ribbon recognition can be considered a symbol of an excellent and high quality education.  For a private school to become eligible for Blue Ribbon recognition, they need to be exemplary high performing schools.

What does “high performing” mean?

Standardized test scores must place students in the top 15 percent in the nation in reading and math.

While the award is academically driven, the criteria goes beyond that and allows our schools to showcase how they teach to the whole child. All the more reason to love your Catholic schools!

“We are very pleased that St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and Mt. Michael Benedictine High School have been recognized for their dedication in developing the mind, heart and soul of the students they serve,” said Vickie Kauffold, assistant superintendent.

We can’t wait to see how each of the schools celebrates this honor throughout the year!

Nearly 20 Catholic schools in our archdiocese have been recognized in previous years, some more than once.

Read about all six of the Nebraska schools recognized this year.