2023 Catholic Schools Week

Two Catholic schools earn Blue Ribbon distinction, adding to archdiocese’s outstanding tradition

Walter Chandler, left, Gemma Karpinski and John Verspelt sport T-shirts showing their celebration of Christ the King School in Indianapolis being named a 2022 national Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

After they learned the great news, the students of Christ the King School in Indianapolis danced in their classrooms as the loudspeaker played “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang.

The celebration was also on at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis where students greeted their community’s great news with cheers and high-fives.

Both celebrations were in reaction to the two schools adding to the outstanding academic tradition of Catholic education in the archdiocese as they were recognized earlier in this school year as national Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The recognition extended the archdiocese’s success concerning this national award. Catholic schools in the archdiocese have received 37 Blue Ribbon School honors since the program started in 1982.

“We are extremely excited that Christ the King Catholic School and Cathedral High School have been recognized for their exemplary academic performance,” said Brian Disney, superintendent of the 67 Catholic schools in the archdiocese. “Both schools provide excellent faith formation and academics in addition to extra- and co-curricular activities.”

The education that’s provided at the two schools also reflects the emphasis of Catholic education in schools across the archdiocese, according to the superintendent.

“The education of the whole child is a partnership between students, parents—the first teachers—schools and the Church,” Disney noted.

Christ the King and Cathedral were two of three Catholic schools among the 10 schools in Indiana that received the national award. Only 297 schools in the country received the distinction, including just 24 non-public schools.

Both Christ the King and Cathedral were recognized as “exemplary, high-performing schools.”

“I am so proud and happy for my students, staff, parents and parish,” said Ed Seib, principal of Christ the King. “Many parents and parishioners have reached out to congratulate the staff. Our former pastor, Father Todd Riebe, was one of the first to reach out. I have been quick to thank them, but also congratulate them as well. This is an honor we earned together.”

In its application to be considered for the honor, Christ the King not only highlighted its academics but also how the school stressed the “spiritual, social and emotional health of our students.”

 Cathedral administrators noted that this year’s honor marks the fourth time the school has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School—and the only private high school in Indiana to earn the honor in this school year.

“Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is such an honor and a great acknowledgment of the hard work, passion and dedication our educators put in each and every day,” said Cathedral principal Julie Barthel. “Cathedral is a special place, and to get this distinction affirms the work that we do for our students each day to educate hearts and minds. I could not be more proud of the entire Cathedral family.”

Representatives from both schools were in Washington on Nov. 3 for the National Blue Ribbon awards ceremony led by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“Blue Ribbon Schools have gone above and beyond to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional and mental health needs,” Cardona said in announcing this year’s honored schools. “These schools show what is possible to make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.” †