St. Jude School Earns Blue Ribbon Status

MONROE — The U.S. Department of Education only honored 50 private schools in the country with national Blue Ribbon status for academic excellence this year — and one is located right here at 707 Monroe Turnpike. In fact, St. Jude School, which has offered area children a Catholic school education since it was founded in 1962, is the only school in Connecticut to be chosen this year.

"The entire Saint Jude School community is incredibly proud to receive this recognition for academic excellence," said Principal Patricia Griffin. "Each day, our faculty and students work together to expand their knowledge, to grow as individuals and to support each other as a school community. We are grateful to be counted among the best schools in the nation and look forward to continuing a tradition of vigorous education."

The Blue Ribbon selection process includes the submission of five years worth of standardized test scores and then a more comprehensive report from the finalists.

"The scores get your foot in the door so you can apply," Griffin said. "But it's the report that tells your story and it's the story that wins the Blue Ribbon, because it's the story that tells who you are and what you're about."

Griffin and Debra Shea, who has been teaching middle school math and science at St. Jude for seven years, will get the chance to share St. Jude's story during a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 18 and 19.

"We'll get to talk to the other principals, network with them and learn what's special about their school," Griffin said.

St. Jude's story is one of a sound, student-oriented curriculum, strong student leadership, dedicated teachers, high parental involvement, best practices across all academic areas and technology in the classroom.

"We're building a state-of-the-art science lab with parents' support this year," Griffin said. 

A Group Effort

On meeting the criteria for a Blue Ribbon School, Griffin said, "It's about you and what you do in your building every day. It's about the mission of the school and how you live that mission. It takes a group effort. It's not just about one person."

Though most of St. Jude's students live in Monroe, Griffin said close to 60 students are from Shelton and others reside in Bridgeport, Oxford and Easton. Griffin said the school receives the strong backing of The Rev. Msgr. John Sabia, pastor of St. Jude Church, and from the Diocese in Bridgeport.

"St. Jude has a long history of very dedicated teachers, dedicated parents and students who have grown here and went on to pursue opportunities," Griffin said.

St. Jude is the 14th elementary School in the Diocese of Bridgeport to earn the national distinction.

"This is great news for the diocese," said newly named Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, "and my sincere thanks go out to all of those who worked to make this possible. Our youth are the hope and future of the Church, and through the grace of God they are endowed with many gifts and talents that our schools and dedicated teachers help to guide and develop."

Sister Mary Grace Walsh, A.S.C.J. Interim Superintendent of Diocesan Schools, congratulated Griffin, Msgr. Sabia and "the faculty, students and parents of the St. Jude community who strive each day to seek academic excellence rooted in Gospel values."

"We are very proud of your achievement," she said. "It reflects the hard work of students, teachers, parents and the entire learning community. Fifty-percent of our schools have now earned national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools. Most importantly, we achieved academic excellence in a faith-based environment."

Paint the School Blue

The students and staff are enjoying St. Jude's new status as a Blue Ribbon School. Griffin said everyone gathered together to watch a live telecast of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's announcement of this year's 286 National Blue Ribbon Schools, which aired on the department's USTREAM channel on Sept. 24.

The inside of the building will be decorated with a big blue ribbon and Griffin and Shea will come back from Washington with a framed certificate and a Blue Ribbon banner to display in the school.

"We're going to have a huge celebration and the bishop and the superintendent will be invited to come up," Griffin said with a smile. "We'll have a big community celebration when the award comes into the building. We'll make the school blue for sure."