OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL RECEIVES 2024 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD
Ellicott City, MD – Our Lady of Perpetual Help School (OLPH) has been recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, one of just 50 non-public schools nationwide to receive this prestigious honor. Notably, OLPH is the only Catholic school in Howard County to earn this award. This marks the second time Our Lady of Perpetual Help School has earned this distinction, having previously been awarded in 2016.
“This community is so special and so deserving of this prestigious award. The faculty, staff, students, and families have all poured out so much of themselves into our school, and this award belongs to each and every one of them.” Jon Pressimone, Principal.
The National Blue Ribbon School Award is the highest recognition granted by the United States Department of Education. Established in 1982 by Secretary of Education Terrell H. Bell, this prestigious award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that excel in one or both of the following categories: Exemplary High Performing Schools or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.
For 2024, all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore receiving the National Blue Ribbon School award were recognized as Exemplary High Performing, a distinction earned through their exceptional academic achievements on both national and state assessments.
Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. The Department invites nominations for the National Blue Ribbon School designation from the top education officials 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.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School will be honored in Washington, D.C., at the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Ceremony on November 7th and 8th, alongside other 2024 awardees. During the event, Mr. Pressimone will have the opportunity to engage with U.S. Department of Education officials, exchange best practices, and celebrate the school’s commitment to educational excellence.
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About Our Lady of Perpetual Help School:
Founded in 1879, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, located in Ellicott City, MD, has been a cornerstone of Catholic education in the community. Today, OLPH serves approximately 200 students from Pre-K through 8th grade, offering a rigorous, faith-centered education that integrates the latest pedagogical methods and technological advancements. Not only does OLPH guide its students to high levels of achievement, but it also provides ample opportunities for socio-emotional development through both classroom and extracurricular opportunities. Through our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives, OLPH fosters students who are respectful, responsible, and kind.
While the academic success of OLPH is excellent, with test scores in the top percentile of schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the education that is provided to our students goes well beyond that. We are a vibrant faith community where students, staff, and families are invited to share in the celebration of our unique Catholic identity. We are responsive to the needs of our students, with our Marian program providing support and guidance to those students with their own learning needs and styles. We utilize technology, music, and the arts to give our students the opportunities for a well-rounded education. We are a supportive community with parents regularly volunteering in the school and families gathering for social events outside of normal school hours. Our Lady of Perpetual Help empowers its students to be successful as they head into high school and beyond, creating active learners who seek to transform their community and make the world a better, more loving place.