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Bishop T.K. Gorman Catholic High School is one of only eleven Catholic High Schools in the United States to be selected for the fourth year in a row to the Catholic High School Honor Roll. The announcement includes Gorman as one of the top 50 Catholic high schools in America by the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty.

Selection criteria included demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education. Nearly 1,300 Catholic high schools were invited to apply to the Honor Roll by completing surveys that measure academic excellence, Catholic identity, and civic education. Anthony Pienta of the Acton Institute indicates, "With this high level of competition, inclusion on the Honor Roll indicates outstanding success in each of the disciplines examined."

"Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School is a jewel in the Diocese of Tyler. The teachers are passionate in the ministry of education and the values of Catholicism. From morning announcements through daily class schedules and carried on with the final departure of the day, it is evident the reality and vitality of making Jesus known," said Most Reverend Alvaro Corrada, S. J. Bishop, Diocese of Tyler.

This year's list includes eleven new honorees as well as and eleven schools that have earned recognition each of the past four years. Honorees range from newcomer diocesan schools such as Heights School in Potomac, Maryland to repeat honoress such as All Hallows High School in the Bronx and Strake Jesuit School in Houston.

The state of Texas led with six schools selected, followed by California with five schools. Overall, twenty-five states are represented on the Honor Roll. See more information at the Catholic High School Honor Roll website: www.chshonor.org. Other schools from Texas include Antonian College Prep in San Antonio, St. Thomas Catholic High School in Houston and Sacred Heart Catholic School in Muenster.

Bishop Corrada added, "I thank the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, parishioners, and stakeholders for their enthusiastic support that makes it possible for Bishop Thomas K. Gorman Catholic School to be recognized as one of the Top 50 Catholic High Schools in the United States."

Gorman principal Jim Franz indicated, "The honor of being named a Top 50 Catholic High School for the fourth year in a row is indeed an acknowledgement of the sacrifices, the commitments and the efforts of our teachers, staff, students and parents."

Acton Advisory board member Rev. John Schlegel, President of Creighton University, said the Honor Roll is significant for Catholic education. "Catholic high schools that excel at forming students in the faith and at teaching them to think critically and act virtuously are a great asset to the Church," he said. "Not only do these schools deserve to be recognized, but they should also be imitated by all Catholic schools."

The primary goal of the Honor Roll is to encourage schools to educate students as effectively as possible, in a way that integrates Catholic faith and prepares students for active engagement with the world.

The Catholic High School Honor Roll is an independent project of the Acton Institute, an international research and educational organization. The Catholic High School Honor Roll is under the direction of a group of Catholic university presidents and Catholic university educators from Creighton University, Gonzaga University, DeSales University, the Catholic University of America as well as educators from the University of Notre Dame, Franciscan University, and Christendom College.