(This story first appeared in The Criterion on Nov. 7, 2025.)

Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis celebrate the school’s selection as one of the schools to receive a first-ever Indiana Blue Ribbon School designation. (Photo courtesy of Alex Rodman)

After learning the great news, the students and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Indianapolis cheered.

The community of St. Mary School in North Vernon was also thrilled to receive their exciting recognition.

Both archdiocesan schools were among the 11 public and private schools to be the first-ever recipients of the Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools designation, celebrating their “exceptional academic achievement and commitment to student success.”

In announcing the Blue Ribbon Schools on Oct. 28, 2025, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said, “Through the unwavering collaboration of teachers, school leaders, parents and entire communities, Indiana students are achieving strong results. This inaugural cohort of Indiana Blue Ribbon Schools are a model for others across our state and nation of what is possible when we put students first.” 

Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese, also praised St. Mary and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools for continuing the long tradition of archdiocesan schools being recognized for excellence.

“We are excited that Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Mary schools are being recognized for their strong cultures and academic excellence,” Disney noted. “They are two examples of the outstanding Catholic schools throughout the archdiocese. Our Catholic schools are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ and strive to develop the full potential of every student in mind, body and spirit.”

Since 1982, archdiocesan schools have received 43 Blue Ribbon School designations from the U.S. Department of Education. And the principals of both Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Mary schools were privately informed in the summer of 2025 that their schools had also earned that national honor, and it would be announced in September.

Instead, the U.S. Department of Education discontinued the Blue Ribbon program in September of 2025, placing the future of such recognition in the hands of the individual states. And the Indiana Department of Education embraced the program as its own.

The 11 schools were celebrated during the Educational Excellence Awards gala in Indianapolis on Nov. 21, 2025.

“Receiving the Blue Ribbon is a really nice public recognition of the good work I get to see our teachers and our students do every day. And how involved our parent volunteer base is,” said Chris Kolakovich, principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary School.

The principal first shared the news with teachers.

“They cheered. I told them that this validates their commitment to excellence, their commitment to collaborating and supporting each other, and their working together to provide the best experience for the students. They were super excited.”

So were the students when Kolakovich shared the news with them in an announcement.

“The students were cheering. Some of them congratulated me. I said, ‘The congratulations belong to you as well. This award belongs to all of us.’ They have a part in it for the good work they do, in working hard every day for their teachers.”

St. Mary principal Meredith Inman offered similar praise for the staff, students and parents who comprise their school community.

“This was so special to be recognized,” she said. “We know we are a great school. We know our students are awesome and our staff is awesome. We know that our parents and families are awesome.

“There’s just a feeling you get when you walk through our doors. It’s a family environment, and every parent knows the staff members here are willing to go above and beyond to help every student meet their fullest potential and to succeed. Everybody wants the best for the students and the families.”

That approach marks Catholic schools across the archdiocese. Kolakovich and Inman know that approach will continue at their schools.

“We have a really outstanding and high-achieving school, and I get to see it on a daily basis,” Kolakovich said.

Inman noted, “This place has been standing for over 100 years because of people who love St. Mary’s and love our parish and our school. There are very deep family roots and traditions here, and lots of generations have been through the halls of this school. It’s a very well-loved and respected school.” †
 

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