St. Agnes School in Arlington was designated a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona Sept. 16. St. Agnes was the only private school in Virginia to receive the designation, which they previously were awarded in 2009 as well. St. Agnes is a pre-K-8 school with an enrollment of approximately 450 students and 70 percent of its teachers have a postgraduate degree.
“The mission of the school is to follow in the footsteps of Christ and St. Agnes, to educate the whole child,” said Jennifer Kuzdzal, principal. “My faculty is incredible, our kids are tremendous and the parent partnership is so strong. This is a great crowning achievement as we work together to grow our great school. This recognition validates everything we do here, and I am so grateful for the supportive community of St. Agnes.”
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge offered his congratulations to the school. “This second Blue Ribbon recognition affirms the strength of the school and the great work of the faculty and staff. I commend and thank the entire St. Agnes community for this accomplishment and ask God to continue to watch over and bless the school.”
The school is in the midst of a construction project that should be completed by the end of the month, said Kuzdzal. It’s an example of one way the school strives for excellence. “We always want to do better,” she said. “We don’t just rest on our laurels.”
“We are thrilled by this designation from the Department of Education for St. Agnes,” said Joseph Vorbach, diocesan superintendent of schools. “The school is blessed with a diverse group of dedicated, engaging and experienced teachers who love God, love children and sacrifice daily to provide a phenomenal education for their students. This award endorses their dedication and commitment.”
The community celebrated the achievement with blue snow cones for all the students during recess.
