Two area Catholic schools recognized for excellence

Two area Catholic schools -- Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau and St. Vincent de Paul High School in Perryville, Missouri -- have been recognized by the Cardinal Newman Society as 2014 Schools of Excellence.

This is the 10th time Notre Dame has received the honor and the first time since 2010 for St. Vincent, which doesn't apply regularly. Awards are given every two years, according to the society.

Since 2004, the Catholic Education Honor Roll has celebrated quality education nationwide. Schools earning the designation are marked by academic excellence and integration of Catholic identity in all aspects of their programs. This year, 71 schools were named Schools of Excellence and nine received an honorable mention.

Notre Dame announced its award Monday during a schoolwide assembly and prayer service in the gym. St. Vincent had a pep rally Friday and planned an announcement later Monday.

Brother David Migliorino, Notre Dame principal, said he received an email last week that said "confidential and congratulations." Normally, the "confidential" part would have scared him, but the congratulations prompted him to open it, he added.

In previous years, Notre Dame was one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in the nation, but the recognition system has changed. Now Notre Dame and St. Vincent are considered in the top 5 percent of the 1,303 Catholic high schools nationwide.

Notre Dame's assembly included remarks from Mayor Harry Rediger, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO John Mehner, Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Brian Gerau and Notre Dame school board president Mike Himmelberg.

"Education is such an important part of our community and our region as we train our young people for citizenship and to become the leaders of tomorrow," Rediger said. "I am very pleased and proud that we have a very strong educational system in our city and our area."

Dr. Patricia Hensley, St. Vincent's head of schools, said her school only applies for the award periodically. "For us, it's really exciting news because it has been a long time since we've had that," she said.

St. Vincent has 218 students in its high school, which runs from grades seven through 12. The school has more than 600 students with everyone included, Hensley said.

"It's really an award that signals excellence in education, as well as living our mission as a Catholic school," she said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

265 Notre Dame Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

210 S. Waters, Perryville, Mo.