NW suburban Catholic schools earn Blue Ribbons
Three Northwest suburban Catholic schools were among only 50 private schools in the country to be named Blue Ribbon schools by the U.S. Department of Education.
On Thursday, Todd Zoellick, a key regional official with the education department, visited school assemblies and classrooms at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove, St. James School in Arlington Heights and St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Principals of all three schools visited Washington, D.C., earlier this month for a ceremony there.
The schools were nominated through the Council for American Private Education because they have achieved overall scores on national-normed tests that are in the top 10 percent for all schools taking the exams in the United States.
St. James students hold a marching parade from the school to North School Park in Arlington Heights for a picnic to celebrate their Blue Ribbon award. The school was one of only 50 private schools in the country to get the award.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
A 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon was presented to St. Mary Principal Gary Campione last week in Washington, D.C. Campione has been the principal of the Buffalo Grove school for more than 10 years.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
Father Marc Reszel, left, is presented a plaque by Todd Zoellick, right, deputy secretary's regional representative, Region V, U.S. Department of Education, at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
St. James School in Arlington Heights displays a blue ribbon by the front door to mark its receipt of a Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
Paul Flanders, a sixth grader at St. James, marches holding the school's banner along with other students in a parade to North School Park that included a picnic lunch.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
Robert Mies, a kindergartner in Kari Resch's class, had his head banner slip over his eyes as he was marching in St. James School's parade to celebrate the school's Blue Ribbon award.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
Students cheer during a celebration at St. Mary School in Buffalo Grove as the school is named a Blue Ribbon school and presented a plaque by Todd Zoellick, deputy secretary's regional representative, Region V, U.S. Department of Education.
George LeClaire | Staff Photographer
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