St. Thomas More Catholic School and Porter Lakes Elementary are among 16 Indiana schools named Monday as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. There were 356 schools honored nationwide.
St. Thomas More students, in Munster, learned of the honor during a school-wide assembly Monday where they watched a live stream of U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona reading off the names of Indiana schools.
“The kids really didn’t know what was going on,” said Principal Samantha Francis. “We had a blue arch up. It was a large hurrah. The kids were ecstatic, there was lots of screaming.”
Francis, in her seventh year as principal, credited the school’s curriculum and its teachers. “I think our faith has a little to do with it, as well,” she said. “We are very diligent in how we treat everyone and respect education… every single day after the announcements and pledge, we say excellence happens on purpose.”
Francis said the school, at 8435 Calumet Ave., has never won the award. The school’s pre-k to grade 8 enrollment is 540.
The award is based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance, and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in two performance categories – exemplary high performance, as measured by the state assessment, and for narrowing achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.
Each nominated school submitted a comprehensive application detailing its school culture, programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family and community involvement.
Francis said students will celebrate with their families at an Oct. 4 tailgate party in the school parking lot after school.
At Porter Lakes, located near the Lakes of the Four Seasons in the Porter Township School Corp. at 208 South 725 West, Principal Kevin Donnell said his students weren’t aware of the honor yet. He said he planned to tell staff members at a meeting after school Monday. It’s the pre-k to grade 3 school’s first Blue Ribbon.
“We have a great staff here,” said Donnell, who’s been Porter Lakes principal for 19 years. “Every one of them is committed to kids including teachers, custodial, staff members and aides. Everyone is involved in the school.”
He said the school will host a celebration, but plans haven’t been finalized yet.
“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. As we celebrate their achievements, let us look to these schools for inspiration as we champion education as the foundation of a brighter future for every child,” said Cardona in a press release.
Each winner receives a Blue Ribbon flag to be flown outside the school and school officials will attend an award ceremony in November in Washington.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
