Academics
Honors and Recognition
A Three-Time National Blue Ribbon School
The U.S. Department of Education has named the School of St. Mary a National Blue Ribbon School three times: in 1990, 2012, and 2020. In 2020, it became the first elementary school in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and one of only 38 private schools in the country, to earn the honor a third time.
The Blue Ribbon distinction recognized schools for overall academic excellence, honoring the work of students, educators, families, and the community in building a school where every student masters challenging, engaging content.
The U.S. Department of Education discontinued the program in 2025, so this honor remains a distinction few schools hold.
The U.S. Department of Education discontinued the program in 2025, so this honor remains a distinction few schools hold.
Award-Winning Faculty
In April 2022, the National Catholic Educational Association honored then-assistant principal Kathy Thompson, now principal of the School of St. Mary, with a Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award. She was one of thirteen honorees nationwide and the only one from the Archdiocese of Chicago that year.
NCEA Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award: Kathy Thompson
Award-Winning Students
2026 Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest
School of St. Mary students took the top three places at the North Shore Chapter level in the Daughters of the American Revolution Essay Contest:
- Remle D.
- Emerson T.
- Buckley B.
2025 Woodlands Mathalon
A School of St. Mary team placed third at the thirteenth annual Woodlands Academy Mathalon, where teams solved hands-on mathematics challenges.
Team members:
- Sophie B.
- Diane C.
- Savannah Z.
A Roman Catholic School Since 1917
To Learn, To Serve, To Lead
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