Saint Simon Parish School in Los Altos Recognized as 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Secretary of Education

[September 22, 2021 – San Jose, CA] – Saint Simon Parish School, a pre-K to 8^th grade school of the Diocese of San José in Los Altos, CA, has been recognized as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School. This award highlights the achievements of the students, educators, and families of Saint Simon. The school received this distinguished award for being an Exemplary High Performing School, which means its students place in the top 15 percent for English language arts and mathematics as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Saint Simon Parish School is one of 28 public and private elementary, middle, and high schools in California and 325 schools nationwide to receive the award in 2021. This is the second time the school has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.

“I am so proud of our students, faculty, and parents for all their hard work, which resulted in our school receiving this honor,” said Ann Kozlovsky, principal, Saint Simon Parish School. “The last 18 months have been a difficult time during which our entire community has demonstrated incredible determination and resilience to provide an outstanding education for our children.”

“This recognition is a testament to the steadfast dedication of our administration and teachers and the support of our families and community,” said Father Brendan McGuire, pastor, Saint Simon Parish. “At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our school community quickly pivoted to provide the fullest possible curriculum through distance learning. Last school year, the school offered both synchronous and in-person learning options much of the year to equip students not only to meet the challenges presented to them today but to excel and bring the hope of Christ to our communities as they grow.”

“I want to extend my congratulations to the Saint Simon Parish School community for this national recognition,” said Jennifer Beltramo, superintendent, Diocese of San José Catholic Schools. “Saint Simon is deeply committed to living out the vital mission of Catholic education, supporting all students academically, nurturing them to develop socially, and deepening their relationship with Christ and one another.”

The U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021 based on their overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. The Department will formally recognize the 302 public and 23 private schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, on November 4th and 5th, 2021. The 2021 cohort represents public and non-public elementary, middle, and high schools, including traditional, charter, magnet, parochial and independent schools in 45 States, the District of Colombia and Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, West Point, New York, and Belgium. In its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to over 9,000 schools, with some schools winning multiple awards.

About Saint Simon Parish School

With more than 500 students enrolled in preschool through eighth grade, Saint Simon Parish School is steeped in tradition and infused with a spirit of innovation arising from its roots in the heart of Silicon Valley. The school is committed to educating the whole child in a nurturing, student-centered atmosphere. Supported by the framework of Catholic values, the school fosters each student’s spiritual, intellectual, emotional, moral, social, and physical growth. As a school and as a community, Saint Simon Parish School is dedicated to educate, inspire, and prepare students to make a difference. More information about Saint Simon Parish School can be found at www.stsimon.school.

 

About Diocese of San José Catholic Schools

The Diocese of San José proudly serves 26 Catholic elementary schools and one Catholic high school with nearly 9,000 students within Santa Clara County. There are also one independent Catholic elementary school, one independent Catholic middle school, and five independent high schools managed by Catholic religious orders within the Diocese of San José, which served another 5,500 students. Nationally, 99% of Catholic school students graduate from high school on time. More than 90% percent of Catholic high school graduates nationwide go on to college, earning millions of dollars in college scholarships each year. Catholic school graduates are committed to helping others through community service, a commitment that continues through adulthood. Catholic school graduates are also civically engaged and can be found in leadership positions in business, government, and non-profit organizations. We believe that Catholic schools transform the lives of children and their communities, and we are excited about the opportunity that the future holds.  Learn more at: www.dsj.org/catholic-schools or follow #DSJcatholicschools on Facebook and Instagram.

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Media Contact:
Cynthia Shaw |
cynthia.shaw@dsj.org