National Blue Ribbon Award

On September 25, 2013 U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named Messiah Lutheran a 2013 Blue Ribbon School. Being named a Blue Ribbon School recognizes Messiah as one of the nation’s premier schools and imparts a great deal of honor and responsibility for students, staff and parents. In turn, Messiah recognizes that the glory goes to the Lord for blessing this school with the resources necessary to achieve the standards necessary for the Blue Ribbon Award.

Criteria

The prestigious award honors select public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ academic achievement. Messiah has been recognized by the Department of Education for the first category – achieving at high levels based on standardized test scores with subsequent vetting including collaboration with other school educators, engagement of families and community, curriculum analysis, instructional methodology, professional development, school leadership, extra-curricular programs, and student achievement over a five-year period.

The Highest Standards

Only fifty private schools out of over 30,000 nation-wide attained Blue Ribbon status in 2013. Messiah Lutheran was the only private school in Missouri to receive the award this year, and just the fifth private school in St. Charles County to receive the distinguished recognition in the thirty-one year history of the award. Key qualities noted by the selection committee in recommending Messiah included a vision of excellence and high standards, staying close to the real action of teaching and learning, mutual respect running deep in the culture, the whole school community embodying a sense of collegiality and commitment, and families and educators working together in partnership.

National Recognition

National Blue Ribbon Schools are honored at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC, where each receives a plaque and flag to signify its exemplary status. These schools serve as powerful examples for other schools with the National Blue Ribbon Schools flag becoming a symbol of educational excellence. The Award is both a high aspiration and a potent resource of practitioner knowledge. “Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” said Secretary Duncan. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education.”