OLPH earns National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence commendation

by Jordan McMorrough
Today's Catholic

OLPH students release 500 balloons as part of the school's celebration upon being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. OLPH was one of only four schools in Texas to achieve the honor.
Photo by Amy Nieto Duvall

SELMA • Since 1901, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School (OLPH) has been committed to academic excellence and Christian moral values. It has flourished and continues to grow due to the commitment and love of the parishioners. The community has for the past 103 years supported the school by either enrolling their children and grandchildren in the school or by participating in fundraisers to help supplement tuition.
On Sept. 17, OLPH was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This commendation is a prestigious award presented by the United States Department of Education. Only four private schools in the state of Texas were chosen to receive the award and OLPH was the only Catholic school in both the Archdiocese of San Antonio and in the state of Texas to be recognized. Only 28 Catholic schools in the entire nation were selected.

    The No Child Left Behind — Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are academically superior in their states or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement and it rewards schools that score in the top 10 percent on national assessments.
    “In keeping with the principles of the No Child Left Behind Act, we will reward schools based on student achievement results, not process,” U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige said. “Schools chosen for the Blue Ribbon will be ones that are meeting our mission to ensure every child learns, and no child is left behind. Blue Ribbon recipients will be national models of excellence that others can learn from.”
    The morning of Sept. 20, a celebration took place on the school grounds that involved presentations by students and faculty members. Five hundred blue balloons were released and a “blue ribbon cake” was served to all in attendance.

   Anna Casanova, director of Constituent Services from Congressman Lamar Smith’s office, was on hand to present the award to Terry Taubert, principal.
   “The entire OLPH community is proud to be selected as a National Blue Ribbon School. This award is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our teachers and students, and the support of our parents in the education of our children,” said Taubert. “We are grateful to all of those, past and present, for their support of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School throughout the years. It is through their wisdom and foresight that OLPH School continues to exist as an outstanding educational institution.

    Also in attendance were Sister Therese San Miguel, OSF, archdiocesan director of Educational and Formational Services.
    She stated, “All of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San Antonio stand proudly in solidarity with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School. Students, parents, faculty and administrators throughout the years at OLPH laid a firm foundation upon which Taubert and staff now stand. In receiving this national award, OLPH is a stellar example of the excellence in academics and faith formation which is embodied in our Catholic schools.”

    Sister Barbara Neist, SSND, associate superintendent and Joyce Horner, director of Development and Marketing Services for Catholic Schools, and other dignitaries and elected officials were also present.
    Sister Neist said, “The Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of San Antonio is very proud of the accomplishments of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School and very pleased that the school community is receiving this well-deserved honor. This award confirms the strength and richness of the heritage of Catholic education that the school has provided for more than 100 years and that will continue to provide for the coming generations.”