PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 17, 2009) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is proud to announce that one of its elementary schools has been named a 2009 National Blue Ribbon School. Epiphany of Our Lord Parish School in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. was one of only three private schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and one of 50 private schools across the United States to receive the nation's 2009 National Blue Ribbon School award. This year 314 national Blue Ribbons were awarded

Bestowed by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, the National Blue Ribbon School award honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior, or have made dramatic gains in student achievement, helping to close gaps in achievement among minority and disadvantaged students. Each year since 1982, the U.S. Department of Education has sought out schools where students attain and maintain high academic goals.

Schools are selected for this national recognition based upon their ability to meet one of the following two criteria: 1) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or are in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-recognized tests; and 2) schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrating dramatic improvement of performance to high levels on state tests or nationally-recognized tests.

Epiphany of Our Lord Parish School will be honored in Washington, DC, on November 2-3, 2009. The principal, Ms. Miriam Havey, and a teacher from Epiphany of Our Lord will attend the ceremony, where each school will receive a plaque and a flag signifying their 2009 National Blue Ribbon School status.

For more information about the 2009 National Blue Ribbon School Program please visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2009/index.html

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747