November 2025

Recently the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) and the National Catholic Education Association announced that Saint James School was among this year’s final awardees for the 2025 Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence. This national recognition is one of the most prestigious honors a school can receive—awarded annually to approximately 50 private schools and numerous public schools across the country. Saint James School was previously recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2010, making it one of only a handful of schools, public or private, across the state to receive the honor on multiple occasions.

Saint James School was nominated by CAPE in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category, which recognizes institutions where students consistently perform at the highest levels on national standardized assessments. To qualify for nomination, schools must demonstrate student achievement within the top 15% nationally in both reading and mathematics on nationally normed tests.

“This recognition is truly a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the strong work ethic of our students, and the incredible support of our families and parish community here in Manchester,” said Saint James Principal, Bridget Zorger.

Beyond strong academic performance, nominees for the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award also undergo a rigorous self-study process evaluating policies, curriculum, traditions, and community involvement. Saint James School’s faculty and staff collaborated extensively to complete this comprehensive review, reflecting the school’s commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.

With more than 100 years of educational excellence, Saint James School continues to exemplify the highest standards in Catholic education and is grateful to all those who support its mission. The 2025 announcement also coincides with news from the U.S. Department of Education that they are discontinuing the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, as responsibility for education-based decisions is transitioned back to the states.

You can read the full announcement from SJS Principal, Mrs. Bridget Zorger, HERE.