Well 2019 is upon us, but you could forgive the folks at Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School in Maple Glen, Montgomery County for being sorry to say goodbye to 2018.
Specifically, the fall of 2018 was very good to OLM.
First, the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools named Our Lady of Mercy as a Program of Distinction in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Yes, that is STEM.
Later that month, OLM was recognized as a National Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.
“It’s been an exciting time at Our Lady of Mercy,” said Principal John McGrath. “We are now recognized as a model of academic excellence.”
The Blue Ribbon program honors public and private schools that have placed in the top 10 percent on state or national assessments. It also takes into account a school’s leadership, curriculum, student achievement, parent involvement and community support.
“This important distinction is the result of years of immense hard work from our teachers and really our families,” McGrath said. “We have a very dynamic and innovative approach to Catholic education.”
“We’ve done a lot of work in STEM education. As Catholic education does, we’ve added the R for religion and the A for fine arts.”
Science, technology, engineering and math are really what we are focusing on. From our 5 year olds to 15 year olds– that will prepare them for jobs in the future.
With all those letters the school is featuring, you can also through in an ‘f’ and a ‘c’. The ‘f’ is for families. The ‘c’ is for community.
“Our support in regards to our families and the community is tremendous,” said McGrath. “And all of these awards mean one thing. Young Catholic leaders are being formed.”
But one thing that is not being formed is complacency.
“We want to continue to improve,” said McGrath. “We want to continue to expand our offerings.”
