St. Laurence Catholic School earns National Blue Ribbon Award for the Third Time!

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 

EARNS NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD
FOR THE THIRD TIME

St. Laurence Catholic School, founded in 1992, has achieved an exceptional milestone, earning the prestigious U.S. Department of Education 2023 National Blue Ribbon Award recently announced by the U.S. Department of Education for the third time in its history. This remarkable accomplishment places St. Laurence among the nation's top-performing schools, making it a beacon of excellence in education.

St. Laurence is one of the largest PreK - 8th grade schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and has been recognized as a STREAM Synergy School, which celebrates the school's efforts to incorporate Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics in its programming. The diverse school is also accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops' Educational Department and was voted a "Best of the Best" finalist by the Houston Chronicle.

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to raise the bar in education. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures. We take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona shares.

Dr. Debra Haney, Secretariat Director and Superintendent of Catholic Schools, exclaimed, “Catholic schools have a long history of academic excellence, and St. Laurence continues that legacy with this third U.S. Department of Education 2023 National Blue Ribbon Award as an Exemplary High Performing School! I could not be prouder of the students, teachers, and administrators for maintaining such excellence in achievement, even amidst the challenges that we have faced in education following a global pandemic! St. Laurence Catholic School constantly strives to ensure that each child on their campus has their spiritual, physical, academic, and socio-emotional needs met, and more importantly, that they are prepared for Heaven! As one of only 40 non-public schools in the nation and three (3) in the great state of Texas (all Catholic in Texas and 90% Catholic nationwide) to receive this prestigious award, St. Laurence again joins the ranks among our state's highest performing schools as measured by nationally normed tests. Congratulations to Fr. Drew, Mrs. Barto, and the entire SLCS community! Way to go, Saints!”  

“I am so proud and grateful for St. Laurence Catholic School and its principal, Suzanne Barto.” remarked        Fr. Drew Wood, St. Laurence Catholic Church Pastor. “What a beautiful faculty, administration, and about 700 students we have here. I am so blessed to be Pastor of this three-time National Blue Ribbon School.  Our theme this year from Sirach is “Give New Signs and Work New Wonders”. I feel that our school is one of God’s wonders.” 

Suzanne Barto, St. Laurence Catholic School Principal, remarks: "Being recognized as a three-time National Blue Ribbon School is such an honor, and we are very proud of this accomplishment. This award is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the support of our parents. It serves as a celebration of our community's collective commitment to excellence. The timing is especially notable since qualifying scores were based on student performance during the pandemic when students and staff were working remotely and in person at the same time. As a Catholic school, we are blessed to have our faith guide and sustain us in difficult times. This also keeps us focused on our mission of developing well-rounded students who are challenged to go out and make a positive impact in the world. Thank you to our Pastor Fr. Drew Wood, and the entire St. Laurence School and parish community for your unwavering support."

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education honors the National Blue Ribbon Schools at the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. At the ceremony, each school receives a plaque and flag to signify its exemplary status. These schools serve as examples for other schools throughout the nation, and details of their achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.

Now in its 40th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed almost 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards. National Blue Ribbon Schools represent the full diversity of American schools: public schools, including charter schools, magnet/choice schools, Title I schools, and non-public schools including parochial and independent schools. 

The schools range in size, geographic locale (urban, suburban, and rural), and type. These schools serve students of every social, economic, and ethnic background. While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards, while they also stay close to the real action of teaching and learning.

Faculty are valued and supported through meaningful professional learning and work together as colleagues and peer supporters. Data from many sources drive instruction and student support services ensure that every student is set up to succeed. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

Please join us in celebrating while our school continues to thrive.