Milestones  All Milestones

Jayda Pugliese's (PA '16) School Named National Blue Ribbon School

Under Principal Jayda Pugliese's (PA '16) leadership, St. Mary Interparochial School in Philadelphia, PA, has been designated as a 2023 Exemplary High-Performing National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Jayda began her tenure as elementary school principal at St. Mary, her alma mater, in 2018. In addition to her role as a teacher and leader, Pugliese provides professional development districtwide in technology integration and working with diverse student populations.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards. They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation. 

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."