Diocese of Gary

VALPARAISO – St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso has been named to the 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon School cohort in recognition of its academic excellence.

The Indiana Blue Ribbon School designation celebrates schools that demonstrate exemplary academic performance. These schools foster environments of excellence and serve as models of educational leadership and community impact throughout the state and beyond. Indiana's Blue Ribbon Schools consistently perform at the highest levels on measures that matter most for student success. This includes academic mastery (reading, math, and college- and career readiness) as measured by state assessments, along with strong attendance.

St. Paul is one of sixteen schools selected by the Indiana Department of Education based on the school’s performance on state assessments. It was honored on Oct. 2 at Indiana’s 5th Annual Educational Excellence Awards Gala, an evening celebrating educational excellence.

St. Paul school principal Lisa Hughes is delighted to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon School, noting that it is the second time the school has received the extraordinary honor of being named as an exemplary school. The school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2022.

When asked about the award, Hughes responded, “This is a celebration of the students who work hard, the teachers who inspire them, the families who support them, and the faith that guides us. We are grateful for everyone who contributes to making St. Paul such a special community. St. Paul Catholic School is honored to receive this recognition and looks forward to continuing its mission of forming students who are strong in faith, strong in character, and prepared to succeed.”

“What great news!” was the reaction of the Most Rev. Robert J. McClory, Bishop of Gary, upon learning that St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso had been honored as a 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon school. Bishop McClory commended the dedicated leadership and staff, saying, “St. Paul Catholic School truly lives out the mission to foster a lifelong commitment to learning guided by Catholic Christian principles to serve God and the community.”

Diocese of Gary Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Colleen Brewer praised Hughes and the entire faculty for this great honor. “I have seen firsthand the intentional work and dedication St. Paul faculty and administration put into developing their students as learners, creating a positive school culture, and growing in their faith,” she said.

“I am grateful that the Indiana Department of Education continues to celebrate and support the excellence in education that St. Paul and the Diocese of Gary Catholic Schools dedicate themselves to every day,” Brewer continued.

Other Diocese of Gary schools that have received prestigious honors include St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in St. John, named a 2025 Blue Ribbon high-performing school, and St. Thomas More Catholic School in Munster, named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School for its exemplary work in closing achievement gaps. St. Patrick Catholic School in Chesterton received the National Blue Ribbon honor in 2014. St. Casimir Catholic School in Hammond was honored as a National Blue Ribbon recipient in 2008.

As part of a move to scale back the federal role in education, the U.S. Department of Education officials told state education agencies in August 2025 that they were ending the longstanding National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which honors high-performing schools, and encouraged states to continue the long-standing recognition program locally. In 2025, the Indiana Department of Education established its Blue Ribbon Award to recognize outstanding educational achievement across the state.