St Philip Neri School Named One of Best in Nation!

U.S. Secretary of Education, John B. King, Jr., announced today that Saint Philip Neri School has been named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School. Saint Philip Neri School is one among 279 public and 50 private schools receiving this honor.

Mr. King said in a video message to honorees, "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices-professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation."

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. The award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning. National Blue Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and a model for schools still striving for excellence.

Schools are nominated for the award by the state department of education, and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices. Schools may apply for status as Exemplary High Performing-among their state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing-schools making the fastest progress in their state in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. St. Philip Neri School applied for and was awarded Exemplary High Performing.

Mrs. Elizabeth Veneziale, Principal, will represent Saint Philip Neri School at a two-day awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their outstanding achievements.

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, please visit http://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/

Photographs and brief descriptions of the 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools are available at http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools.