Nation’s Top 50 Catholic High Schools announced for 2010-2011

Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh has been designated one of America's 50 best Catholic high schools for the fifth consecutive time. All of its graduates are accepted to top ranked national universities or liberal arts colleges.

The National Catholic High School Honor Roll announced its sixth selection of the best 50 Catholic secondary schools in the United States. The purpose of the Honor Roll is to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic secondary education. It is a critical resource for parents and educators that distinguishes those schools that excel in three categories: academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education.

To see a list of the top 50 schools, as well as lists of the 10 honorable mention schools in each category, visit www.chshonor.org .

The Honor Roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and educational organization. It is produced in consultation with an advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and scholars. Advisory board member Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, former President of Catholic University of America and now Bishop of Trenton, said the Honor Roll’s evaluation method is indispensable. “Catholic schools must examine themselves on a regular basis using a well-rounded approach that assesses adherence to the Church’s educational calling,” he said. “The Honor Roll strengthens schools by encouraging high standards and vibrant Catholicism.”

The Honor Roll, which is published every two years, has seen over 50 percent of America’s nearly 1,300 Catholic high schools participate at least once. The best schools demonstrate a balanced excellence, which includes an active Catholic culture, sound college preparation and integration of Church teaching in all departments. These schools also display sound moral, catechetical and civic formation that prepares students for vocations in the world as political, religious, scientific, and business leaders.