Rockville Parochial School Among 2016 National Blue Ribbon Winners

ROCKVILLE, MD — Ten Maryland schools — only one of which is located in Montgomery County — have been named 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. The local school named to the elite list is Saint Patrick's Catholic School, 4101 Norbeck Road in Rockville.

Nationally, 329 public and private elementary, middle and high schools were selected based on overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps, the Department of Education said. Of the 329 schools selected, 279 are public and 50 are private. All schools, including the Maryland winners, will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 7-8.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are an "inspiration and a model," the Department of Education said in announcing the selected schools.

"National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers," U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. said in a video message to honorees. "Your schools are on the cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices—professional learning communities, project-based learning, social and emotional learning, positive behavior systems—making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation."

According to the Department of Education, the award "affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon Schools flag gracing a school's building is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning."

Schools are recognized based on student test scores and graduation rates in two categories: Exemplary High Performing Schools and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools.

Maryland’s 2016 National Blue Ribbon schools are:

• Arnold Elementary School, Arnold
• George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Towson
• Hereford High School, Parkton
• North Harford Elementary School, Pylesville
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Ellicott City
• Pasadena Elementary School, Pasadena
• Saint Joseph School, Fullerton, Baltimore
• Saint Patrick's Catholic School, Rockville
• Saint Pius X Regional School, Bowie
• White Marsh Elementary School, Mechanicsville

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