St. Ignatius Loyola School, a Manhattan Catholic school in the Archdiocese of New York, has been recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. 

On Wednesday, September 23, 2024, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced this year’s cohort of 356 schools, which were honored for either outstanding academic achievement or significant progress in closing achievement gaps. Saint Ignatius Loyola School is one of just 40 non-public schools nationwide to receive this distinction, marking the third time the school has received the National Blue Ribbon recognition.

In a letter to the school community, Mary Larkin, head of school at Saint Ignatius Loyola, expressed gratitude for the collective effort: “This recognition does not happen in isolation. It is through the hard work of the faculty and students.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that exemplify instructional excellence, high academic standards, and effective teaching methods. These schools are known for strong leadership, staff professional development, data-driven instruction, and a focus on student success through collaboration between educators, families, and communities.

Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, praised the achievement, noting, “Our schools not only prepare young people for academic sucess but also shape them to be tomorrow’s servant leaders. This award reflects the commitment of our Catholic mission instilled into our educators and the overall care we provide to the young people entrusted to us.”

In November, Ms. Larkin, accompanied by school officials, will participate in the annual National Blue Ribbon Schools Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C, to formally accept the award on behalf of the Saint Ignatius Loyola Community.

Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York serve over 50,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade across 156 schools in nine counties and boroughs throughout New York, including Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, Orange, and Dutchess. Catholic schools offer a unique combination of academic and spiritual development that empowers children of all backgrounds to gain the confidence to realize their full potential.