Sponsored & Legacy Institutions - Stories

By Eleanor Schmerler-Rich '09
Vice President of Growth, Regina Dominican High School

October 6, 2025, Wilmette, Illinois – Regina Dominican High was identified by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) as meeting the criteria for a National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon School distinction has, for decades, honored top-performing schools across the country for exceptional academic achievement and student success.

Regina Dominican High School was one of only a small number of schools nationwide – and among very few Catholic high schools – to meet the rigorous criteria for this honor. This distinction reflects the school’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, including its AP Platinum Status from the College Board, which recognizes both high achievement and broad student participation in Advanced Placement coursework. 

Through a challenging curriculum filled with AP, honors, and dual-credit opportunities, Regina Dominican High School continues to empower students to achieve at the highest levels and succeed well beyond high school.

“We are proud of the hard work and commitment of our faculty and the outstanding academic performance of our students, which led to our recognition with this award,” stated Dr. Kassie Porreca, Principal. “The rigorous, multi-step application process took many months to complete, and we were thrilled to receive the notification that we were to receive the Blue Ribbon Award. It’s a validation of our years of hard work to create an academically outstanding high school experience for our students.” 

This may be the last year of the National Blue Ribbon program. The DOE announced on August 29, 2025, that it is discontinuing the program. Regina Dominican proudly celebrates this milestone as a lasting symbol of its tradition of excellence and its commitment to preparing young women to lead with confidence, integrity, and compassion.

Rooted in the Dominican tradition, Regina Dominican High School challenges young women to be independent thinkers; relentless truth-seekers; and confident, compassionate leaders.