By Carmen M. Hubbard

ARCHDIOCESE - Four schools from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have been bestowed a blue ribbon from U.S. Department of Education for maintaining academic excellence.

St. Dominic School in Delhi Township, St. Ignatius Loyola School in Monfort Heights, Cardinal Pacelli in Mt. Lookout and Bishop Leibold School in Dayton were among the 320 schools nationwide named as part of the 2008 No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools.

School officials for the award will be honored on Oct. 20 and 21 by the Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

"It's the highest, most prestigious award that's given," said Al Grote, principal of St. Dominic. "It's a testimony nationwide that schools meet those criteria (to ensure) every child is successful."

Other school principals said being honored for the award has been a group process of teachers and parents.

St. Ignatius Loyola principal Tim Reilly said the Blue Ribbon recognition has "brought focus for how blessed we are."

The Blue Ribbon award honors public and private schools from elementary to high school.

Private schools must rank within the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally normed tests.

The Chief State School Officer nominates public schools. The Council for American Private Education submits private school nominations.

"We had a great committee of moms and teachers," principal Kim Roy of Cardinal Pacelli. "It was the first time we applied, and we got it." Many celebratory events are planned for the week of Oct. 20, including an all-school Mass and assembly on Thursday Oct. 23. On Sunday, Oct. 25, the parish will celebrate at the 10 a.m. Mass, and all parishioners and members of the community are invited to a reception at school immediately following.

Said Father Robert Obermeyer, pastor of Our Lord Christ the King Parish, for which Cardinal Pacelli is the school, stated, "We are blessed at Cardinal Pacelli School to have the many dedicated teachers, staff and parents that want to make our school the best it can be. We also have the faithful support of our parish community. I am proud of all of them."

About 413 schools can be nominated based on kindergarten through 12th grade students nationally, officials said. Of the total schools recognized this year, 21 were from Ohio.

"These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve," U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said.