Our Lady of Perpetual Help School
4801 Ilchester Road
Ellicott City, MD, 21043-6823
Victor Pellechia, Principal at time of Nomination
Archdiocese of Baltimore
OLPH School develops confident, active learners in a faith-based community through comprehensive and innovative academic programs that highlight personal learning styles, technology, and collaboration.
- Black/African American: 10%
- White: 64%
- Hispanic: 11%
- Asian: 8%
- Native American: 2%
- Two or more races: 5%
Students gathering in the campus prayer garden.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, a vibrant Pre-K to grade eight school, located in Howard County, MD, offers individualized, Christ-centered education in a collaborative community. OLPH is dedicated to educating the heart, mind, and soul of each student. This sacred responsibility is honored by a highly qualified faculty and staff who promote a positive learning experience and prepare students to meet the challenges of the future. They are passionate about creating a joyful atmosphere, fostering creativity through appropriate challenge, and cultivating rigor through perseverance. Whether in accelerated, on-level, or support programs, every student is encouraged to reach his or her God-given potential.
The school principal, Victor Pellechia, believes that distributed leadership, student-centered instruction, and strategic investment in technology have been hallmarks of OLPH's success. The creation of an Interactive Learning Center in 2013 revitalized the technology program to provide students with the most innovative tools to enhance their education. A 1:1 Chromebook initiative, Google classrooms, iPads, and interactive projection strengthen learning through virtual collaboration and engagement. Learning continues beyond the classroom through service to the community and extracurricular offerings like robotics, drama, and creative writing.
The Marian Program offers support for students with learning differences. This program provides content-area tutoring, foundational study skills, parent information sessions, and equips children with strategies for success. It underscores the OLPH philosophy that when parents, teachers, and students communicate and share responsibilities, students flourish. The Marian Program has served as a model for area schools seeking guidance to establish similar designs.