By William Croyle
Enquirer contributor

VILLA HILLS - Administrators and teachers at Villa Madonna Academy in Villa Hills have been trying to control their enthusiasm this week.

"The kids sense our excitement. They're saying 'Oh no, here we go again,' " said Principal Pam McQueen. "But they are excited, too."

For the second time in three years, Villa Madonna has been named a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education.

Villa Madonna, Covington Latin School and St. Raphael the Archangel School in Louisville are the only three schools in the state to win the award for 2003-2004.

Nationwide, 214 public and private elementary and secondary school earned the honor.

"It's nice to get the award, but for us, it's a validation of our program," said Dick Stewart, Covington Latin's dean of students who oversaw the application process. "It's also a challenge for us to try to improve."

The Blue Ribbon program has been around since 1982. It was renamed the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Program this year by the Bush Administration and now focuses on achievement results rather than processes.

"It's one of the highest honors a school can garner," said David Thomas, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Education.

Villa Madonna and Covington Latin qualified by placing in the top 10 percent in the nation on ACT assessment test scores over the last three years.

The nominees submitted 10-page applications that included testing, statistics and questions regarding the curriculum and general nature of their programs.

McQueen, Stewart, and Covington Latin Headmaster Andy Barczak will travel to Washington Oct. 30-31 to be honored in a ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige.