Students and staff at St. Norbert School in Northbrook celebrated their National Blue Ribbon School win with a pep rally on Jan. 30, 2026. In September 2025, a record-breaking 10 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago were informed they qualified for the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award given annually by the U.S. Department of Education. St. Norbert School planned their celebration as part of Catholic Schools Week. The awards, which have been given since 1982 to recognize excellence in education, go to schools who achieve reading and test scores in the top 15 percentile in the country, and no more than 50 awards are made to private schools each year. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Wes William and Archie Walters talk before the beginning of the celebration. Students and staff at St. Norbert School in Northbrook celebrated their blue ribbon win with a pep rally on Jan. 30, 2026. In September 2025, a record-breaking 10 Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Chicago were informed they qualified for the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Award given annually by the U.S. Department of Education. St. Norbert School planned their celebration as part of Catholic Schools Week. The awards, which have been given since 1982 to recognize excellence in education, go to schools who achieve reading and test scores in the top 15 percentile in the country, and no more than 50 awards are made to private schools each year. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Father Christopher Gustafson, pastor at St. Norberts, gives the opening prayer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Seventh-grader Penelope Peluse prays during the opening prayer to start the assembly. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Principal Jack Shepherd addresses students. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Assistant Principal MaryBeth Schwall interviews kindergarten students Catherine Stober and Madison James about what makes St. Norbert a Blue Ribbon school. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Preschoolers Erza Gonzalez, Archie Walters, and Mary Kromm prepare for the all-school photo. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Matthew Bush and Etae Kim celebrate following the pep rally. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students honor their teachers on stage during the celebration. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Preschoolers Paul Yoon and Ellie Welsh celebrate their Blue Ribbon win. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Preschooler Jasmine Nwokenkwo celebrates during a dance party at the end of the celebration. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
