Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

St. Albert was named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School on September 23 by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. It is one of seven schools in Kentucky to receive this honor and the only school in Jefferson County selected for the distinction. Holy Cross District High School in the Diocese of Covington was the only other non-public school chosen in Kentucky.

Ellen Martin, who has been St. Albert’s principal for eight years, attributed the achievement to the collaborative efforts of teachers and parents. "I give credit to our teachers, our support staff, our parents," she said. Teachers "did a great job of using their test scores and curbing their lessons," she added, explaining that faculty analyze standardized test data to identify areas needing more attention.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon Schools are “among the top performers in their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.” The release further stated, “Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds.” Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is highlighted as a key component of their success.

Martin emphasized this teamwork: “We all really work together to help make sure everyone is successful.”

Julie Kruer, a parent of two students at St. Albert, expressed her appreciation for how teachers focus on individual students' needs. She mentioned that she and her children have “been able to work together in partnership with their teachers to get them the support they need to do well.”

St. Albert serves 753 students from preschool through eighth grade and is located at 1395 Girard Drive. This marks the third time it has received the Blue Ribbon designation; it was first honored in 2004 and again in 2015.

Since its last recognition in 2015, Martin noted an increase in enrollment and efforts focused on addressing social-emotional development and mental health needs among students.

The school will formally celebrate this achievement on St. Albert’s feast day on November 15.

St. Albert joins other schools within its archdiocese that have previously received this distinction: five secondary schools (Assumption High School, Mercy Academy, Sacred Heart Academy, St. Xavier High School, Trinity High School) and sixteen elementary schools (St. Agnes, Ascension, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Gabriel, Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, St. Margaret Mary, St. Mary Academy Our Lady of Lourdes; St Patrick; St Raphael; Sacred Heart Model School; St Aloysius Pewee Valley Ky.; St Dominic Springfield Ky.; St James Elizabethtown Ky.; Saint Joseph Bardstown Ky.).