In 2016 AMBS was named a National Blue Ribbon School Awardee!

"Your schools are on the cutting edge…making you shining examples for your communities, your state and the nation," said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King.  On November 8th, the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament was designated a National Blue Ribbon School at an event hosted by the United States Department of Education in Washington D.C. 

Attended by Arch Diocese of Newark Superintendent of schools Dr. Margaret Dames, Dr. Altonjy and Mr. DeGennaro, the award ceremony capped off two days of workshops, presentations, and key note addresses by U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, 2014 National Teacher of the Year Sean McComb, author Ellen Oh, 2013 National High School Principal of the Year and Superintendent of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School Shelia Harrity and others.

According to President Barack Obama, “this event celebrates schools that have worked hard to close achievement gaps and provide students with the resources they need to reach their greatest aspirations.” Less than half of one percent of all schools in the United States receive this prestigious award.  In 2016, AMBS joins 329 schools and 50 private schools in the United States –including ten in the state of New Jersey— that received the National Blue Ribbon designation.  AMBS shares the 2016 award with one other school in the Arch Diocese of Newark, St. Cassian Elementary School in Upper Montclair.  The students, faculty, staff, parents and community all share this honor as each contributed to making the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament a national Blue Ribbon School.