Photography: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO | FC

SOUTHWEST RANCHES | Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School received its first-ever U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools award. The announcement was made to more than 1,700 students, faculty, and guests following a weekly Mass celebrated Nov. 13, 2025, at Maverick Stadium, McCarthy’s on-campus football stadium.

“I think that the balloons and the banner may have given it away,” said Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Miami, who spoke at the recognition ceremony following the Mass.

“Hundreds of schools across the country qualify for this prestigious award every year. The U.S. Department of Education only picks the best of the best of the best. So, it is really, really hard to become a Blue Ribbon School,” Rigg added.

This year, McCarthy High was the only Catholic school in Florida to receive the distinction, recognized in the category of Exemplary High Performing School. The U.S. Department of Education began giving out this distinction in 1982. It is based on student scores on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, graduation rates (which must be 95% or higher), curriculum and extracurricular offerings, including arts and STEM, cultural inclusiveness, and even school spirit and alumni engagement.

“The only Catholic school in the entire state of Florida to receive this award. That’s a huge deal! You should be very proud and brag about it because we’ve earned the right to brag about it,” Kevin Molina, McCarthy High principal, told his school.

The recognition also comes at a unique moment, given the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to end the National Blue Ribbon Schools program in August 2025.  Several state departments of education across the U.S. nevertheless decided to recognize their 2025 winners, while preparing future recognition programs for excellence in education.

In 2024, a total of 356 schools earned the Blue Ribbon designation, 314 of them from the public school sector, and 40 from the private. Since 1982, more than 9,000 elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide from public and private sectors have earned this recognition. Some even repeated the honor, as the application was renewable every five years.

Now with Archbishop McCarthy High, the Archdiocese of Miami has 11 Catholic schools with a National Blue Ribbon, including Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Maimi, St. David School in Davie, St. Patrick School in Miami Beach, St. Rose of Lima School in Miami Shores, St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, St. Bonaventure School in Davie, and St. Thomas the Apostle School in Miami.

“The Blue Ribbon designation stands as a symbol of quality dedication and collective effort of our educators, students, families and community,” Molina added. “It reminds us that with vision, hard work and collaboration, excellence, and not just excellence in education, excellence in Catholic education, is not only possible, but it’s being achieved in schools across the country every day.”

For the past 26 years, Archbishop McCarthy High has enriched its students with strong academic programs, innovative technology, including a 1:1 iPad Program, award winning arts, athletics, and extra-curricular programs, and faith-based education. The school is a Catholic Honor Roll School of Excellence and an Apple Distinguished School, and students annually qualify as National Merit Scholars.

For sophomore Mario Kvedaras, McCarthy High is helping pave the way for his dreams to become a mechanical engineer.

“We have really good teachers, and our Excelsior Program is excellent,” he said. “We have a fairly wide selection of AP classes, which I enjoy. I’ve learned a lot from AP Chemistry, which is tough but definitely rewarding, and I like AP World History, as well.”

The school’s wide variety of options also offers him an opportunity to become a well-rounded and involved student. He is a member of the swimming team, the robotics club, and Best Buddies, a nonprofit volunteer movement whose mission is to create friendships and inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mario is also a member of campus ministry, and enjoys serving at Mass.

“It’s definitely one of my favorite things to do,” he said.

He served at the Mass prior to the Blue Ribbon announcement, where on the memorial of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, Father Edivaldo da Silva Oliviera, chaplain at Archbishop McCarthy High, encouraged students to never give up, follow their own mission, and find strength in their union with God.

“Many of you have oceans in front of you, many fears, fears of the future, fear of not being good enough, fear to disappoint your parents, big fears. Courage, courage! God is with you. The kingdom of God is in you, and if you discover this treasure, it will give you strength to do anything, and to follow your dreams,” he said.