Best of the Best:
CBA Named National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
F
or the second time in the school’s history, Christian Brothers Academy was named a National Blue Ribbon honoree in September 2017 by the United States Department of Education.
“It is great to receive recognition for all of the hard work our tremendous faculty dedicates to our students each and every day,” Principal Fales said. “The performance and involvement of our young men and their teachers is what ultimately earned CBA this award and we are proud to be recognized with some of the best schools in the country. We congratulate the other 49 private schools being honored in this cohort with us.” CBA was evaluated in a number of different areas including test scores, school history, educational philosophy, academic curriculum, instructional methods and assessments, school climate and culture, engagement with families and the community, and school leadership.
It marks the second time that CBA has earned education’s highest distinction for schools. The Academy was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School in 1983-84, the first year private high schools were eligible. “Being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for excellence is certainly a great honor for Christian Brothers Academy,” President Brother Frank Byrne, F.S.C. said. “I commend Principal Ross Fales and Associate Principal Sean Nunan for guiding CBA through the application process. Receiving this prestigious award for the second time verifies CBA’s longstanding commitment to the intellectual, spiritual, and moral development of our students.” This coveted award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating an environment where students master challenging and engaging content.
“Over the years, we have won awards for our academics, our athletics, and our community service, but the Blue Ribbon is true recognition that, when you consider all the many facets of the school at once, Christian Brothers Academy is one of the best schools in the country,” Nunan said. Fales and Nunan represented CBA in Washington, D.C. in November to officially receive the award for excellence. The Academy becomes just the 14th school in New Jersey to win the award for a second time. In 198384, it was then-Principal Brother Andrew O’Gara and then-Associate Principal Peter Santanello who led CBA through the application process, and ultimately represented CBA in Washington, D.C.