Plano's Prince of Peace Catholic School was announced as one of the nation's 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools yesterday.
In an announcement this week, Plano’s Prince of Peace Catholic School was one of 53 private schools nationwide named as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School.
Every year, the U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their academic excellence and progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to raise the bar in education. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said. “We take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.”
This year, three private schools from Texas were chosen: St. Theresa Catholic School in Austin, Saint Laurence Catholic School in Sugar Land and Prince of Peace Catholic School in Plano.
Prince of Peace was nominated in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category, which it has won three times in 2006, 2016 and 2023. (Schools are prohibited from applying for five years after winning.)
“Being honored the last three decades – 2006, 2016, and now 2023 – speaks to this community’s enduring commitment to educational excellence,” said the school’s president, Faustin Weber. “We’re grateful for the pastoral support of Fr. Forge; the strong leadership of our Principal, Meghan Jones; our Assistant Principals, Dawn Gorlitz and Sarah Harris; our Dean of Students, Mary Pecikonis; and the hard work of our teachers and staff. Schools aren’t successful without supportive parents and talented students, and we’re blessed with both. We’re proud to join with All Saints Catholic School and Christ the King Catholic School as three-time winners in the DFW area.“
Jones and Gorlitz will represent the school in November in Washington, D.C. at the awards ceremony, where the school will receive a plaque and an American flag as a sign of its exemplary status.
“Recognition as a three-time National Blue Ribbon School awardee is an outstanding accomplishment and an incredible honor for Prince of Peace! I am overwhelmed with pride for our teachers and staff members, who work tirelessly each day to provide exceptional educational experiences for our students,” Jones said. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, and the support of our parents. It serves as a celebration of our community’s collective commitment to excellence.”
