Saint Raymond School honored in Washington, D.C. with 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award

MOUNT PROSPECT, November 15, 2019 - Today the U.S. Department of Education recognized all schools named 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award winner in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Saint Raymond School accepted the 2019 National Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Academics. Saint Raymond School is one of 50 private schools nationally and one of only nine schools in Illinois to receive the distinction this year. This is the second National Blue Ribbon award for St. Raymond School. Since the start of the program over 37 years ago, only 78 schools nationally have won the award twice.

The Saint Raymond student body, faculty and staff tuned to the live announcement of the school's name at the Blue Ribbon presentation luncheon. Students cheered as they saw a picture of class mates and their school administrators on stage. Principal, Mary Eileen Ward and Early Childhood Director, Colleen Cunningham of St. Raymond School, along with Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, were presented the award by Aba Kumi, the Director of National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.

"It is a very notable day for St. Raymond School. We are most proud of the academic accomplishments of our students, fostered by the union of our devoted and committed faculty and staff and our parent community. This dedication brings out academic success, and today, we have proof of everyone's hard work," said Principal Mary Eileen Ward. "We are also grateful for the diligent work of our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Catherine Hart, who facilitated a Blue Ribbon team to research, organize, write and proof the application. Our Blue Ribbon victory teaches our students that through living our motto of academic excellence, faith, service, success can always be achieved."