Watch the Archdiocese of Chicago's Blue Ribbon School Video, featuring Ascension School!

Ascension School wins No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Award In an announcement on October 2, 2007, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings named Ascension School of Oak Park a Blue Ribbon School.  Ascension was included in a list of 287 public and private elementary, middle and high schools nationwide named for this award, one of the most prestigious education awards in the country. Fifty of the 287 schools recognized in 2007 are private.  “It takes a lot of hard work by teachers and students to become a Blue Ribbon School,” Spellings said, “and it’s a privilege to celebrate their great efforts.” Schools are selected based on one of two criteria:  1) schools from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance or 2) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.  Ascension School was recognized in the latter category. Private schools that inquire about the award process are screened by the Council for American Private Education and then invited to submit an application.  In addition to the outstanding test scores of its students, Ascension was able to draw on the strength of its fine arts program in its application.  “This is an award for our entire community,” says Terry Thiese, president of the Ascension School Board.  “It speaks volumes about the work that Ascension has done over the years to build an outstanding program.  Faculty, staff, volunteers and parents work together toward a shared goal, an excellent faith-based education for our children.  As part of the Board, and as the mother of four of those children, I’m so pleased that we’ve received public recognition of our achievements.” Ascension Principal Mary Jo Burns, Assistant Principal Pat Pesce and former Assistant Principal Kathy Kambach participated in an awards ceremony hosted by the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. on November 12-13, 2007.
The Blue Ribbon School Award Assembly took place on January 28, 2008. Kristine Cohn, the Secretary of Education's Regional Representative, addressed the school and presented the Blue Ribbon School certificate to Ms. Burns.
		Read the Ascension Application for a complete look at our fine school!
Ascension School is proud to claim two recipients of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Heart of the School Award; Mrs. Patricia Pesce, Art Award (Visual Arts) 2000 Mrs. Barbara Creed, Art Award (Music-Fine Arts) 2008