LAKEWISE

When you visit a National Blue Ribbon School, it’s hard to miss the distinguished presidential seal with the words “National Blue Ribbon” proudly displayed on banners and flags in lobbies, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. It was certainly one of the first things I noticed when I entered Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School for my first interview. Out of curiosity, before the interview began, I asked, “So, what does the Blue Ribbon mean?” I was met with an enthusiastic reply: “It’s only the greatest award a school can receive! And not only did we earn it once—we earned it twice!” While the response didn’t fully answer my question, it was clear that being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence was a significant accomplishment and a source of immense pride for the school community.

After accepting the job and doing some research, I learned that only 1% of schools in the nation are awarded the Blue Ribbon twice. This impressive statistic left me wondering: Could we earn it a third time?

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a prestigious recognition administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate overall academic excellence. Schools undergo a rigorous application process, and those selected are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. This award signifies exemplary performance across various areas, including student achievement, innovative teaching practices, strong school leadership, and robust parent and community involvement.

It seems I had put the idea of applying out into the universe because during separate meetings with parents and faculty, the question was raised: Would we consider going for the National Blue Ribbon Award for a third time? Naturally, I turned to our Office Manager, who has been with the school for over 20 years, to learn more about the application process. She chuckled as she walked over to a file cabinet, pulled out a massive blue binder, and plopped it onto the table in front of me with a grin. “There you go,” she said. I laughed nervously and instantly regretted asking. Between meeting the eligibility requirements, completing the application process, and preparing for interviews and school visits, this was clearly going to be a monumental task. Considering I had only been on the job for two months, was I really ready to pursue a third Blue Ribbon?

A process of this magnitude requires teamwork, so I started at the top—with the Principal. He was fully on board, seeing the application as both a detailed self-assessment and a valuable tool for school improvement. Our next step was checking eligibility. To my relief, we discovered we met the five-year waiting period since our last Blue Ribbon win in 2017, which meant we were in the clear to apply. However, further research revealed that we had missed this year’s application deadline. Surprisingly, I saw this as a blessing in disguise. With more time to prepare, we now had the opportunity to craft a truly compelling application for next year.

Armed with that extra time, I sat down to dive into the daunting blue binder and began to understand just how much effort and dedication the Blue Ribbon designation requires. This award is more than a badge of distinction—it’s a validation of a school’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to continuous improvement. In today’s era of accountability, when school rankings and performance are under greater scrutiny, earning this honor carries even greater weight.

With the collective effort of our incredible staff, supportive parents, and talented students, I am confident that by next year, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School will proudly celebrate becoming a three-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Our mission for 2025 is clear…stay tuned!