GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Grand Rapids will hold an assembly Wednesday to celebrate being named a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School.
It is located at 2750 Burton St. SE, near Woodlawn Avenue.
The school's principal, Michelle Morrow, tells WOOD Radio the award recognizes schools across the country for academic excellence and overall student achievement. The student scores in English and mathematics were among the best in the nation. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School also was recognized for exceptional performance in religious education.
"For this award, we had kindergarten through eighth grade; their academics," she said. "And then, it was also measured by the full child and other services that we provide to our students. And how we get our community engaged in the academic life of our students."
The National Blue Ribbon recognition honors schools where students consistently perform in the top 15 percent nationwide in both reading and mathematics. To qualify, St. Paul the Apostle students in grades 3-through-8 scored in the top 15 percent on the national MAP test, which stands for Measures of Academic Progress. St. Paul was one of 56 non-public schools across the country put forward for the award.
It is the second one in Kent County to win the award. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 6393 Belmont Ave NE, won the award in 2020.
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School also was credited with developing leadership through faith and community involvement in various service projects and attending weekly Mass.
St. Paul' 5th- and 8th-grade students also fared better than the national average on the Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education.
Here is more information from the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
St. Paul the Apostle is the only school in the Diocese of Grand Rapids to be recognized with this distinction in 2025.
“This is truly a historic achievement for our parish school and it is a beautiful recognition of the hard work poured into cultivating souls and minds here at St. Paul,” said Father Peter Damian, pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. “Our mission of forming disciples of Jesus who are intellectually strong, spiritually grounded, and prepared to serve is already bearing much fruit! This award is a beautiful affirmation of that mission and our hearts are full of gratitude today."
“In our schools, excellence arises from the harmonious development of both character and intellect and this award highlights what is possible with Catholic education,” said Sarah Grey, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. “I am very excited that St. Paul the Apostle is being honored among the highest-performing schools in the country.”
St. Paul the Apostle is the second Catholic school in West Michigan to receive the National Blue Ribbon Honor. Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic School in Belmont was awarded the distinction in 2020.
This year marks the final class of schools to be recognized under the National Blue Ribbon program, which the U.S. Department of Education announced will be discontinued. While there will be no formal ceremony in Washington, D.C., as in years past, the honor remains a lasting legacy for the school community.
About St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School
Since 1965, St. Paul the Apostle School has been a cornerstone of the community, serving families who live in Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Cascade, Forest Hills, Kentwood, Caledonia and beyond. Much has changed in the 50+ years since our doors first opened, yet our values remain constant. We provide Christ-centered learning and academic excellence in a nurturing environment to 328 students in grades preschool through grade 8.
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