Irving, Texas. November 11, 2008. — Gateway Academy, The Highlands School, and Pinecrest Academy were ranked in the top 50 nationwide in a contest sponsored by The Catholic High School Honor Roll. The competition was based on three criteria: academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Gateway Academy has won the award, the fourth consecutive year for The Highlands School, and the second year for Pinecrest Academy.

Nearly 300 schools completed the three detailed surveys that measure a school’s adherence to the Church’s educational mission.  Its purpose is to recognize and encourage excellence in Catholic secondary education, and it is a resource for parents, schools, donors, and colleges.  The Honor Roll ranks schools highest that instill students with an appreciation for the spiritual, social, political, and economic dimensions of the world. 

The Honor Roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and education organization.  It is produced in consultation with an advisory board comprised of Catholic college presidents and scholars. 

Advisory board member, the Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, President of Catholic University of America, 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 Highlands School Executive Director John Borley attributes the school’s success to “the strong Catholic identity of the school and its faith-based integral approach” that brings together students, priests, consecrated men and women, formation directors, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends of the school.

Alexis Crow, the girls’ school Formation Director at Gateway Academy said that the award is a reminder to keep striving for a larger mission to provide “an environment where young people can develop their leadership skills at the service of the Church and society.”

Pinecrest Executive Director Rick Swygman commented that the award is a motivation to “keep our eyes on our mission and to continuously strive for the fullness of a great Catholic school and all that Christ wants us to be.”

To see the complete Top 50 High Schools list, as well as lists of the 10 honorably mentioned schools in each category, visit www.chshonor.org. 

To learn more about the Integral Formation method of education, visit the ICIF web site at www.icifusa.com.