St. Xavier High School has achieved an extraordinary accomplishment by winning the Blue Ribbon Award for the fifth time. Our school stands among only five private high schools in the country to receive this prestigious honor. With this achievement, many are left wondering: what exactly is a Blue Ribbon and how does a school earn it?

St. X earned the Blue Ribbon based on exceptional academic performance, ranking in the top 15 percent nationally for student test scores and graduation rates. This most recent award specifically recognizes the school’s efforts to close achievement gaps among its student groups and all students.

“We respect the man that the boy can become,” Mr. Sorin Spohn said. “It takes compassion, it takes simplicity, it takes humility, and it takes zeal, but we get after it every day.”

To be considered for this honor, the school underwent a rigorous process, including the completion of a comprehensive 20-page application that outlined various aspects, from the school’s culture to its extracurricular involvement.

“The Blue Ribbon Award was founded in 1982 with the goal to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness,” President Paul Colistra said. “Schools must make an enduring, positive difference in students’ lives.”

St. X is committed to pursuing excellence every day, and this commitment led to an extraordinary announcement from the United States Department of Education on September 19. This award serves as a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students and faculty here at St. X.

“During the 160 year history, St. X has fostered a culture of academic and athletic excellence while instilling in our students a strong commitment to our traditions and values,” Colistra said.