Saint Elizabeth Parish School in Chester Springs has been named an inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbon School by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The announcement was made on September 23, 2025. The school is the only private Catholic institution in Pennsylvania to receive this recognition and is the sole school identified in the Exemplary High Performing Category.

The PDE recognized thirteen schools across two categories: Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School and Exemplary High Performing School. Saint Elizabeth Parish School’s designation as an Exemplary High Performing School reflects its status as a top performer based on state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Andrew McLaughlin, Ed.D, Secretary for Elementary Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, stated, “On behalf of my colleagues in the Office of Catholic Education, I offer prayerful congratulations to the Saint Elizabeth Parish School community for being recognized as an inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbon School by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and for the distinction of being the only school in the state named in the Exemplary High Performing Category.” He added, “This remarkable accomplishment emphasizes the hard work and dedication of the faculty, students, and school families.”

Saint Elizabeth Parish School has also received recognition from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education (OCE) as an Archdiocesan School of Distinguished Instruction. This year it was among 62 parish and regional elementary schools honored by OCE.

Reverend John E. Donia, Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Parish, and Mrs. Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Principal of Saint Elizabeth Parish School, shared their thoughts with parish and school families: “Being named a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School is a testament to our shared mission to provide a Christ-centered education that nurtures the whole child – spiritually, academically, and socially. It reflects the countless hours of studying, teaching, and praying that take place within our school walls and beyond.”

The PDE will formally recognize all inaugural 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools at its annual SAS Conference scheduled for December 9 in Hershey.

Founded in 2006 to serve children from its parish community with rigorous academics rooted in faith-based values, Saint Elizabeth Parish School aims to foster lifelong learning and leadership skills among its students.