Three Catholic schools named National Blue Ribbon winners

HOUSTON — The U.S. Department of Education recognized a trio of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese as 2024 National Blue Ribbon schools as exemplary high-performing schools on Sept. 23. 

Christ the Redeemer and St. John Paul II Catholic Schools in Houston and St. Helen Catholic School in Pearland are among 40 non-public schools nationwide and 356 schools overall to receive the prestigious National Blue Ribbon recognition from the U.S. Department of Education. 

Mazie S. McCoy, Ed.D., secretariat director and superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese, extended her congratulations to these three schools.  

“We are proud of each of you,” she said of the three schools. This recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups. 

“The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities.”  

Christ the Redeemer Catholic School in northwest Harris County opened in the fall of 2014, with the Blue Ribbon designation being a notable achievement for a relatively young school. It highlights the dedication and exceptional achievement of the student body, whose performance in reading and mathematics ranks in the top 15% nationally.  

Christ the Redeemer Principal Dan Courtney said, “This prestigious award highlights our teachers, staff, students and families’ collective dedication to maintaining a high academic excellence standard within a nurturing, faith-centered environment.” 

Father Sean Horrigan, Christ the Redeemer pastor, said, “To be recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School is a tremendous and humbling honor for our community and a validation of the hard work and tireless spirit of every student, family, teacher and administrator that has been part of our journey.”  

The school, which serves families in northwest Houston and Cypress, has 477 students enrolled in this current academic year in grades pre-K3 to eighth, with 54 faculty and administration.  

St. Helen is the only school in the City of Pearland to have achieved National Blue Ribbon recognition. 

Principal Phyliss Coleman, Ed.D., said they invited the community to celebrate the distinction at a rally on Oct. 2, with Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole presenting an official proclamation of “St. Helen School Blue Rally Day.”  

“The entire staff and team are extremely excited about being honored as a Blue Ribbon School,” Coleman said. “This accomplishment has truly been earned by everyone in our community — students, faculty and staff, volunteers, parents, and the pastor and parishioners. We agree that this accolade has been the most rewarding of any bestowed upon us, and we look forward to continuing this journey of excellence as we grow our Saints in ‘wisdom, age, and grace.’” 

Coleman said that in addition to academic excellence, the school also offers a before- and after-school care program for registered students in the pre-K3 to eighth grade. St. Helen also offers advanced placement classes in grades sixth, seventh and eighth for literature, math, science and social studies. 

St. John Paul II Catholic School in Houston’s Energy Corridor off I-10 West has won as a National Blue Ribbon School an impressive four times — 1997, 2008, 2018 and now 2024.  

That places the school as earning more than any other elementary school, public or private, in Texas, and one of only nine elementary schools in the U.S. that has earned this distinction so many times. 

Principal Rebecca Bogard, M. Ed., said, “In the 36 years since we opened our doors, we’ve achieved something truly special — winning a Blue Ribbon every decade, which is almost unheard of.” The school community plans to celebrate on its saint feast day on Oct. 22. 

She added, “We are abundantly blessed with the best teachers and families who have made this recognition possible. As we continue striving to “Be Greater” together, I am humbled and deeply grateful to serve as your principal. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire community.” 

In the last five years, four other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese were named Blue Ribbon Schools, including St. Theresa in Sugar Land in 2020; St. Anne in Houston, St. Cecilia in Houston and St. Vincent de Paul in Houston in 2022; and St. Laurence in Sugar Land in 2023. 

For more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, visit nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov, and to learn more about Catholic schools, visit choosecatholicschools.org.