September 28, 2017 – U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, announced today that OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL (Verona, NJ) has been named a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School, for exemplary high performance. OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL is one of among 342 public and private schools receiving this honor.

“The students, faculty and staff of OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL are overjoyed with the news of winning our second consecutive National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence,” stated Ben Ronquillo, Principal. “Our Lady of the Lake School continually strives for excellence and this award is proof that our efforts have been recognized.” 

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL won its first National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award in 2011. This award marks the second consecutive award for the school. 

“National Blue Ribbon Schools are proof that we can prepare every child for college and meaningful careers,” DeVos said in a video message to honorees, “All of you–students, teachers and administrators–deserve our highest praise. You are shining examples for your communities, your state, and the nation.” 

National Blue Ribbon Schools are on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems. Schools are nominated by the state department of education and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices. Schools may be nominated as Exemplary High Performing—among the top schools in a state—or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing—schools making the fastest progress in the their state in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. 

School officials will represent OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SCHOOL at a two-day awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they will hear from Secretary DeVos and other esteemed educators, share best practices with each other, and celebrate their hard-won achievements.