The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the St. Stanislaus/St. Stephen School earned its Blue Ribbon Schools Award for overall academic excellence. This is the second time in seven years the school has received the honor as it also won it in 2008.

Only 335 schools, public or private, throughout the country were selected for the award. St. Stanislaus/St. Stephen School was one of nine schools chosen in Wisconsin, and the only private school selected.

To earn the award, schools must show that all students learn at an extremely high level. Standardized test scores must be in the top 15 percent nationally. Additionally, the school must show ways in which students are challenged creatively and academically.

“This honor recognizes your students’ accomplishments and the hard work and dedication that went into their success,” U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan said. “Your journey has taught you collaboration, intentional instruction and strong relationships in school and with your community. You represent excellence – in vision, in implementation and in results – and we want to learn as much as we can from you.”

Gregg Hansel, principal of the school, said private and religious schools who have previously earned the award are given a much more difficult process. Schools which have never earned the award receive priority, and repeat schools must not only show how they have improved since the previous award, but also show continuous excellence.

The school is one of a select number of schools nationally to earn the honor more than once.

“Winning the award twice in seven years and keeping academic achievement extremely high is something we are very proud of. This is a great testimony to the quality of teachers and staff at (the school), and throughout the entire Pacelli Catholic School system,” Hansel said.

Staff will travel to Washington, D.C., in November for the award ceremony. A community celebration will be held in early November to celebrate the award.