Academy of Our Lady Celebrates National Award

Staff at Academy of Our Lady brought home Washington, D.C. accolades to a student assembly Thursday morning.

The Glen Rock Catholic school was one of 50 private schools in the nation, and a total of 286, to earn a “Blue Ribbon” designation in September from the U.S. Department of Education.

The distinction, awarded annually to select schools, was based on an application submitted by the school that highlighted student growth and the community service Academy of Our Lady integrates into its curriculum, said Principal Patricia Keenaghan.

“Excellence in education matters and we should honor schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a statement when the awards were announced. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world class education.”

 “That is what we’re being recognized for, boys and girls,” Keenaghan told a packed assembly of students and parents in St. Catherine’s Church Thursday morning. “A world class education.”

The assembly featured photos from the two-day trek by Keenaghan to the nation’s capital to accept the honor, along with members of a "Blue Ribbon Team" that spent two years preparing the school’s application.

Student pride was also on prominent display throughout the hour-long ceremony.

Academy of Our Lady, a private school for kindergarten through eighth grade students, began as St. Catherine’s 60 years ago, later merging with the Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Ridgewood.

Keenaghan credited school staff as well as the surrounding community for the distinction earned this year.

"To me it takes a whole community to receive this award," she said. "From our youngest pre-schooler to our oldest grandparent."