Immaculate Heart of Mary School awarded the Blue Ribbon!

The NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored many of America's most successful schools.  A Blue Ribbon School flag waving overhead has become a trademark of excellence, a symbol of quality recognized by everyone from parents to policy-makers in thousands of communities.

On September 15, 2009 the United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, recognized 50 private schools in the nation for this yearly distinction.  Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School earned this award because our students' standardized test scores consistently rank in the top 10% of the nation. Additional areas evaluated were evidence of strong curriculum, instructional methods, professional development, school leadership, and communication.

Blue Ribbon Schools are honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC. In addition, the winning applications are posted on the Department Web site. 

Members of our school community who assisted in the application process for the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award are as follows: 

Chair and Assistant Chair: 
Tricia DeWitt, Principal
Pat Krautler, Director of Curriculum  

Committee members:  
Lisa Rhodes, Administrative Director
Maria Demos, Registrar
Carmen Graciaa, Religion Coordinator
Anna Jimenez, Instructional Support Teacher
Tracey LaFreniere, IHM School Teacher
Bob Zimmer, IHM School and Archdiocesan School Advisory Councils
Kelly Grace, IHM School parent

As a parish ministry, Immaculate Heart of Mary School achieves academic excellence in a Christ-centered, caring environment which encourages self-worth, self-discipline, and acceptance of the dignity of the individual.  Excellence in Catholic schools has three major components: religious values integrated into the curriculum, high quality academic education, and a structured atmosphere.  The curricular emphasis of the academic program is to prepare students for successful experience in competitive high school and college preparatory programs while also instilling the ideals of faith, knowledge, service and integrity. Within this definition, Immaculate Heart of Mary School has a long tradition as a school of excellence, measured by parental satisfaction and by the accomplishments our graduates.