Simply put, Windsor's St. Gabriel School is one of the best schools in the nation.

Students, their parents and faculty gathered in St. Gabriel's gymnasium Monday morning to celebrate a bright moment in the school's history: its recognition as a National Blue Ribbon school — the highest honor a U.S. school can receive from the Federal Department of Education.

"We work every day to bring the best out in every student. High standardized-test scores are only a part of the success in nurturing and educating each student," St. Gabriel School Principal Patricial Martin told those in attendance, noting that the school strives "to provide strong morals and a spiritual and academic foundation which enable each student to reach their highest potential."

The Bloomfield Avenue school's success is unmatched in recent years, as it was the only private school in New England to be recognized as a Blue Ribbon school in the Department of Education in September.

According to the Archdiocese of Hartford, in order for a school to be considered for the recognition, all grades in the school must score in the 85th percentile or better in reading and math on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills.

Students in grades 3 through 7 were tested at St. Gabriel, and each grade scored in the 90th percentile or above, the Archdiocese reported.

"As a community over the years, we have quietly celebrated our success in education," said Martin. "Now that we have received this designation of being as Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education, we have a repsonsibility to maintain this high standard of achievement each school year."

The school's ceremony drew parents, local officials, the Archbishop of Hartford and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal to the gymnasium Monday.

"This Blue Ribbon Award is a real tribute to all of you," said Blumenthal, who presented Martin with a certificate of special recognition from the U.S. Senate.

"Even against odds, in the face of adversity — the challenges today for all private education, the fiscal and financial challenges, the cultural challenges — you have been steadfast and tireless in your commitment to educational excellence," he added.

While St. Gabe's holds the distinction of being the only private school in New England to be recognized, it was also one of only 49 private school in the country to be given the honor.

304 U.S. public schools were recognized.