St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School Awarded Blue Ribbon

• From St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School:

The Department of Education named the 

Only 304 schools were recognized as Blue Ribbon schools in 2011 out of the 138,000 schools in the U.S., making this award the most prestigious honor bestowed to pre-college institutions. 

Frank Principi, supervisor of the district of Woodbridge, gave a proclamation to the principal, Sister Maria Goretti, O.P. in a reception on Wednesday.

The proclamation read in part:

“the Blue Ribbon Award is granted by the U.S. Department of Education to schools where students consistently rank in the top 10 percent nationally, now therefore be it resolved by Woodbridge Magisterial District Supervisor this 16th day of November, 2011, that St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School, including its students, staff, and parents are hereby commended for their outstanding academic achievement resulting in their selection as a 2011 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.” Principi, whose twin daughters attend St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School, said he is extremely proud of the school’s record of achievement.

John Donahoe from Lake Ridge said, “The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award signifies excellence to those in the education field. But as a parent of five children who attended Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional School can attest, it also confirms to us the significant role that the school has had in the character building and devoted faith that our children received at Aquinas. We are thankful for the role that the school had in our children’s strong education as well as their honorable character.”

The school boasts several programs that enrich the curriculum such as a unique Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program in partnership with the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, a Language Arts Enrichment and Honors Program, a Math Enrichment and Student Support Program, as well as new performing arts programs in both music and drama. In 2010, Aquinas was recognized as “A Top 100 Virginia School” by John Hopkins University.

St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School was founded in 1977 and is administered by the religious community of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. It serves over 500 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade and three Prince William County Catholic parishes. It has a diverse student body with over 20 percent of the students speaking one of 17 secondary languages. In addition, it boasts the largest middle school athletic program in the diocese and an award winning band and performance choir.