October 9, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Glen Rock Catholic academy earns national recognition U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan has named Academy of Our Lady School in Glen Rock a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence for 2013, along with 285 other schools nationally. Only 50 private or parochial schools may submit applications through CAPE, Council on Private Education. In New Jersey, only 14 schools received this distinction. School officials said Academy of Our Lady’s success reflects positively on the students’ hard work, the faculty’s dedica- tion and attention to varied methods of instruction, the parents’ involvement and generosity, the pastor’s deep commitment to Catholic education, and all of the acad- emy’s benefactors who made this achieve- ment a reality. “Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are lead- ing the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” Secretary Duncan said. “National Blue Ribbon Schools rep- resent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world class education. “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Pro- gram award recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improve- Principal Patricia Keenaghan and Media Specialist Peggy Rogan announcing the National Blue Ribbon Award to Academy of Our Lady students. (Photo courtesy of AOOL.) ments toward those standards. Academy of Our Lady was nominated by CAPE as a school where students achieve high learn- ing standards. Through an application pro- cess, AOOL met all criteria for national recognition.” A recognition ceremony will be held in Washington D.C. on Nov. 18 and 19.