Newport Central Catholic rains blue in celebration of CAPE National Blue Ribbon School nomination

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

The grounds of Newport Central Catholic High School, Newport, were colored blue, October 8, following a celebratory color run in which students, faculty and staff celebrated their recent CAPE Blue Ribbon School nomination. Blue powder filled the air in celebration of this achievement as students ran around campus greeting faculty and staff. By the end, no one was spared of the blue powder, not even Ken Collopy, principal, who was doused in the celebratory powder by students.

Newport Central Catholic High School applied to be a National Blue Ribbon school in the fall of 2024 with the scores of the 2024 and 2025 graduating classes, both of whom tested above the national average in multiple categories.

“It speaks volumes on how hard our staff has worked and how hard our students have worked,” said Mr. Collopy, “our staff made a lot of intentional efforts to realign curriculum with standards, whether they are state or diocesan.”

Having back-to-back graduating classes qualify for National Blue Ribbon consideration is, “to my knowledge very uncommon,” said Mr. Collopy, as test scores must be in the top 15% of the nation to be considered. However, the back-to-back qualifications speaks to a changing culture at Newport Central Catholic, one where students have “bought in,” said Mr. Collopy.

“Our students bought into the process of ‘we aren’t testing just to test. We are testing to give data to our teachers to better meet our needs,’ and our teachers took that data and they did exactly that. They made adaptations in the classroom to help with their learning. I really believe that’s why we were able to achieve not only with the class of 2024 but also 2025,” said Mr. Collopy.

In a school assembly preceding the color run, Mr. Collopy addressed the students saying, “I ask two things of you every day, to show up with good effort and good attitude…we have not focused on attaining these numbers, the focus has been on just giving your best and looking to improve. That is what God calls us to go, give our best. It is not always easy; the results are showing that we doing this at an extremely high level.”

When schools apply to be considered as a National Blue Ribbon School, they are given the option to exclude certain scores. “We looked at various things including demographics, testing and services. We applied with everyone, we didn’t take anyone out,” Mr. Collopy announced, “These are students in our AP classes, dual credit, honors, also students in our St. Joseph Institute, regular level classes, student athletes, drama. All of those things made all of you National Blue Ribbon Students,” he told them.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools Kendra McGuire spoke at the saying, “This recognition really reflects the hard work and dedication of your school administration, your school staff, and especially you. We are hoping that this is just the beginning of the wonderful future here at Newport Central Catholic,” she said, “you truly are a beacon of light to everyone, and I know this is finally recognizing the achievements your school has made for decades. I look forward to this tradition of excellence to continue for many generations to come.”