Special to The Message
The U.S. Department of Education has named St. Wendel Catholic School in St. Wendel a National Blue Ribbon School for 2024. DOE officials explained in the announcement that the prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.
St. Wendel is one of 356 schools recognized this year by the DOE, one of 50 nonpublic schools nationwide and one of 16 Indiana schools earning the honor. St. Wendel is the fourth Diocese of Evansville Catholic school named a National Blue Ribbon School in the program’s history. St. John the Baptist in Newburgh was recognized in 2023, Holy Family School in Jasper earned the honor in 2013, and the DOE recognized Evansville’s Reitz Memorial High School in 2002.
St. Wendel is the first non-public school and the third school (public or non-public) in Posey County to earn the award in the past 40 years.
St. Wendel Principal Hallie Scheu said, “The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families and communities in striving for — and attaining — exemplary achievement. Since its inception in 1982, the goals of the program are to shine a spotlight on the best schools in the United States and to share best practices of outstanding schools across the country.”
The DOE recognizes schools in one of two performance categories based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:
- Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.
- Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and overall student body.
St. Wendel has been recognized as an Exemplary High-Performing School.
Scheu said, “Reaching the achievement of being named a National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary High-Performing School feels like a huge victory for our entire school community. Our school has been making improvements over the years. This truly could not have been achieved without the help of our teachers, staff, motivated students and supportive pastor.”
Scheu continued, “This accomplishment wouldn’t have been possible without the relentless dedication of so many. First and foremost, our amazing teachers and staff work tirelessly each day to help our students reach their full potential while nurturing and valuing them. Next, our supportive parents partner with us to make St. Wendel extraordinary. I also want to acknowledge our pastor, Father Ed Schnur, whose unmatched leadership in Catholic education has been invaluable. Lastly, our students, who demonstrate a genuine care for their learning and for one another, have played a crucial role in our success.”
St. Wendel Pastor Father Ed Schnur said, “It is certainly an honor for St. Wendel Catholic School to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. We have amazing teachers and staff at St. Wendel School. They come to school every morning prepared to make this particular day the best day ever for each of our students. Our teachers and staff strive to make learning fun and engaging. Their use of technology, collaboration and creative group projects encourages students to develop their critical thinking skills. Our teachers and staff do all this for our students while at the same time forming them into responsible disciples of Jesus Christ. The entire St. Wendel Community — our teachers, staff, students, parents, parishioners, alumni and friends are deeply humbled to receive this distinction and to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School.”
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release, “The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools are raising the bar for our nation’s students, serving as models for effective teaching and intentional collaboration in their schools and communities.”
The St. Wendel community celebrated the recognition with various activities throughout the week, as well as during an all-school Mass Sept. 26, followed by a formal presentation.
Look for coverage of the Mass and presentation in a future issue of The Message.