1. How do you describe your academic program?
Sacred Heart schools seek to educate the whole child—heart, body and spirit as well as the mind. Strong character habits, respect for oneself and others, and a compassion and concern for those less fortunate are integral to our education. Our curriculum is rigorous, which implies the depth of instruction as well as the pace that students move through the materials. Advanced materials are used in some content areas (more so in the Middle School). Because learning is much more than memorization, our aim is that our students express their ideas clearly (both in written form and verbally) and apply their thoughts to what is happening in the world around them. To help our children learn to think critically and creatively, to be problem solvers, to love learning and to rise to challenges are all hallmarks of Sacred Heart education.
Emotional and behavioral skills are just as important as academics. Students learn to collaborate and compromise by working in groups. They learn to cooperate by sharing materials and thoughts. And, they learn to resolve their differences in a respectful manner.
2. How do you address differentiated learning?
Our small class sizes (generally, an average of 18 in a classroom) allow our teachers to focus on each child’s individual strengths and areas for growth. Differentiated instruction emphasizes maximum growth and individual success. To this end, teachers try to provide multiple avenues and strategies to allow each student to demonstrate his or her abilities. This approach allows each child to build on skills to reach an even greater potential.
3. Is there an accelerated program for students?
All children are gifted and deserve to be enriched through their educational experiences. Each child has his or her own strengths and areas of challenge. We strive to cultivate, nurture and provide opportunities to explore and enrich those strengths and to use those to work on challenges. Our teachers look for ways both inside and outside the classroom to broaden and extend thinking for all students. To meet the needs of all our children at both ends of the learning spectrum, we have additional personnel resources available to augment our program offerings.
4. What is the basis for gender-based education?
The shift from coeducational classes to single gender classes for students in grades 6, 7 and 8 occurred following extensive study about the learning differences in boys and girls. Beyond the distractions that adolescents may experience in the classroom, there is some very compelling research about the physiological learning differences in boys and girls. By creating single gender classes, we can address their educational needs and create even more engaged learners.
5. How do you differ from a parish school?
Founded in 1818 by Rose Philippine Duchesne, a Religious of the Sacred Heart from France, the Academy of the Sacred Heart was the first free school west of the Mississippi River. As an independent Catholic school, we are governed by a Board of Trustees and share our mission, expressed in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, with 22 schools in the U.S. It is this mission, articulated by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart more than 200 years ago, that distinguishes our education.
Sacred Heart schools enjoy an even wider affiliation with the individuals and institutions associated with the Society of the Sacred Heart in 44 countries around the globe, including our newest school in Uganda. The international character of Sacred Heart education helps to foster an important global awareness in our students as we strive to build a more just world.
A Sacred Heart education is distinctive in spirit as its goal is to develop thoughtful, critical thinkers who will positively impact their communities and, ultimately, their world. Time and again, we hear that our graduates are well-prepared and that they possess strong study skills, organization skills and time management skills as well as a genuine love of learning. While we are not a parish school nor financially supported by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, we are firmly rooted in the Catholic faith.
When comparing tuition, most families discover that ours is much lower than that of many of the independent schools in the area (see www.independentschools.org) and have called us a best buy in private education.
6. How are non-Catholic students included in the community?
The Academy welcomes students of all faiths. Currently, 23% of our families are non-Catholic. All children participate in religion classes, liturgies and other prayer experiences. While we teach Catholic doctrine, every faith is embraced and children are invited to share their specific faith traditions.
As we commit ourselves to a personal and active faith in God, our primary focus is to look for ways to help our students grow to love, honor and serve God by loving, honoring and serving all people.
7. How is the Academy community diverse?
Currently, 6% of our students are of diverse backgrounds. We believe the more diverse the student population is, the better we are able to help educate them to respect, honor and accept one another’s uniqueness. In addition, students come from more than 25 zip codes and represent a range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
8. How often do the students have PE?
We are are pleased to offer daily physical education classes for students in Primary–Eighth Class. Studies show that students learn better when they are able to exercise physically. Health is also an integral component of the PE curriculum.
9. When is international language introduced?
Students begin studying Spanish and French in Fifth Class. In Sixth Class, they choose to pursue either Spanish or French for the next three years. Most Academy graduates are placed in second year language classes in high school, with some testing into third year.
10. Is tuition assistance available?
Approximately 15% of Academy families received tuition assistance totaling $384,000 during the 2010-2011 school year. Tuition assistance, including scholarships, may be awarded to deserving students on the basis of need. Assistance is distributed to our current families first. Upon acceptance, new families may apply for tuition assistance on a first-come, first-serve basis, as monies are available.
11. Do you offer a multi-child tuition discount?
Since we are an independent school and not funded by the Archdiocese, we depend on tuition to cover our operating costs. We are unable to offer a multiple child discount, but tuition assistance is available for qualifying families.
12. Beyond tuition, what other expenses should I expect?
Fees, which cover text books, instructional materials and dues to the Sacred Heart Network of Schools, are charged per child ($147 for Pre-Primary/$337 for Primary–Eighth). In addition, uniform and lunch are not included in tuition.
Donations to the Annual Fund, the backbone of our fundraising efforts, provide the much-needed resources to implement the development of programming. While we ask each family to consider a gift of $400 per child to the Annual Fund, often families who have the resources give over and above, while others give as they are able. Above all, participation in any amount is our ultimate goal. Our operating budget depends on these tax-deductible donations.
Like most independent schools, we rely on fundraisers to enhance our educational program. Our parents are key in this endeavor as they help us achieve success through their volunteer time and donations with our four main events: Sally Foster fall fundraiser, Country Fair, Trivia Night and Chemin de Fer (our annual auction).
13. Do you offer an early arrival or late dismissal option?
We offer both an early arrival program (6:30–7:40 a.m.) and a late dismissal program (3:45–6 p.m.). Students may be enrolled as a regular participant or use on an as-needed basis.
