We loved seeing many alums at Country Fair last weekend, including Samantha Lynch ’21, a senior at St. Joseph Academy. Inspired by her Academy computer teacher, John Storjohann, Sam plans to study cyber security at the University of Alabama. Below, is a note she recently sent to Mr. Storjohann, who shares, “This is why we teach… this is why we educate.”

As I reflect on my last year in high school, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible impact you’ve had on my journey in Computer Science.

Your passion for teaching truly shines through in every lesson, especially in projects like the stock market and our adventures with block coding through Scratch. These experiences weren’t just fun—they inspired me in a way I didn’t know existed yet. You made coding feel like an exciting puzzle to solve, and your enthusiasm and passion for this subject were contagious!

This week, Mrs. Mary Reepmeyer, principal, shares some exciting learning going on in Lower School classrooms, thanks to creative, innovative learning lessons that inspire a lifelong love of learning.

What happens when your child is engaged and excited about learning throughout each day?

Keeping students engaged is crucial for several reasons, as it directly impacts their learning, motivation, and overall success. They are more likely to understand and retain information as well as apply it.

Engagement fuels motivation. When students feel connected to the content and see its relevance, they are more likely to stay motivated to complete tasks, meet challenges, and push through difficulties. It encourages students to ask questions, explore ideas, and think critically.

Camp Lakewood has long been a favorite annual tradition for the oldest Academy students and provides an opportunity to grow in confidence and leadership skills. Last week, Seventh and Eighth Class students spent a few days away building a special sense of community through team-building activities, archery, challenge courses, ziplining and, of course, time around a campfire. Special thanks to Academy faculty for creating a truly memorable experience. Below students reflect about this time together.

Gratitude is in the air, and this week, Mr. Horner shares some highlights from the first weeks of school. 

In a school with so many blessings, I want to express my gratitude for a few subjects that are currently top of mind for me. 

Students   |   Each student brings joy and purpose to our days. I am proud of them daily. Most recently the respectful attention and speaking skills of our Middle School students were on clear display at the Network Prayer Service hosted in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne last week. We’ve received many compliments from other Network Schools about how our students stepped up to the role of hosting this significant event. 

Long-time Academy teacher John Storjohann shares the evolution of instructional technology and how students are benefitting from new Promethean Boards in each classroom. 

In the mid-1990s, SmartBoards were introduced into the classrooms of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, offering the promise of new levels of student engagement through interactive technology.  And while the concept of a SmartBoard held great potential, the reality was that the technology behind the boards offered its own challenges. It was essentially simply a projection of the instructor’s computer screen, required almost daily recalibration to be used effectively as a whiteboard, and as the Academy upgraded to larger, higher-resolution monitors, even calibration became an exercise in frustration; what you “wrote” on the SmartBoard would appear several inches away because of the difference between screen resolution and the board’s resolution. SmartBoards were, in essence, grand ideas that were let down by a combination of rapidly evolving technology and the inherent limitations of the boards themselves.

Alexandra Sanchez Little ’06, Director of Admissions, has been spending time in classrooms and has been busy sharing our school with prospective families. She is also enjoying leading a Communication Skills Class for Seventh and Eighth Class students, which meets every other Thursday to practice public speaking skills with the intent to give student-led tours for prospective families. Mrs. Sanchez Little is enthusiastic for the year ahead and is grateful for your help in spreading the #AcademyLove.

I appreciate the “hello” or “welcome” as you pass my office, and I have enjoyed meeting you all! Our year is off to a great start. Let’s celebrate 42 new students at the Academy this year! We are so happy each of you, new and returning, are here. What a wonderful feeling to grow our community! I am grateful to our Mentor Families for ensuring our new families feel comfortable as they experience many “firsts” and to our AmbASHadors for supporting the Admissions Office and our community.

Ms. Kristen (Glenn ’83) Cleveland returned to her alma mater this year to teach our second Primary class. She is thrilled to be back home at the Academy!

The Academy is a special place, and I am honored to be returning. I am currently teaching in the room that was my fourth grade classroom. I never imagined back then that one day I would be sharing with students the education that I value so highly.

Even though I’m a new faculty member, the Academy has always been a part of my life. My sister, Jennifer Glenn Brown ‘85, nephews Josh ‘16 and Caleb Brown ‘21, and I are all graduates of ASH. My mom, Mary Glenn, was a teacher here for over 25 years and now works as the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne Assistant. Even my dad had a role as a past president of the PCC. While many things have changed since I was a student, there are many things that remain the same. 

Mrs. Mary Reepmeyer ’96 begins her tenure as principal this year. We are blessed to have her move into this role after 18 years teaching at the Academy, in addition to her time as a student. She is dedicated to Sacred Heart education and excited to launch this year at the Academy.

Welcome to the start of a new school year at the Academy! As we embark on this exciting journey together, I am filled with a sense of hope and optimism for the possibilities that lie ahead.

Every new school year brings a fresh start — a chance to set new goals, pursue our dreams, and strive for excellence in all that we do. Our school community is a place where learning, growth, and discovery happen every day, and I am confident that this year will be no exception as I have talked with the students about “Going for the Gold” and how “Teamwork makes the Dream Work.”

Over the summer, we were honored to receive our 50th five-star review on Niche. Fresh reviews help The Academy reach prospective parents and bolster our marketing efforts. You can read more about sharing your Academy experience here.

As a parent, I have a deep appreciation for the development of the whole child. The loving community fosters growth, academic excellence and strives to constantly improve and excel. We have found a school home that focuses on good manners, being prepared and showing empathy but also provides academic rigor and extensive programming. The teachers and staff at ASH go above and beyond to provide a loving, structured environment. We couldn’t be happier with our experience at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Welcome to the 2024–2025 Academic Year — A Message from Mr. Tim Horner, Head of School

Faculty and staff were blessed to begin this year in prayer and reflection with Sisters Margaret Munch and Mary Charlotte Chandler, RSCJ. To proceed from time with the RSCJ to the smiles of our students, greetings of friends, students hugging their teachers on the first day of school, I can think of no better way to begin any year.

Our school is fortunate to enroll more than 40 new students this year; scholars and students of faith and character supported by good families. I speak with them as they inquire, and believe that all families share of wanting to join a vibrant community. I reply that our community is exceptional, that the people are a key differentiator compared to other schools. However, I then immediately add that our academic preparation, our faith development, our faculty are also exceptional and well beyond the norm, just like our community. I am confident that each of these aspects of our school is extraordinary.

For our final From the Heart of the school year, Mrs. Renken reflects on the year behind us and the special moments of growth it held. As she concludes her time as Principal at her beloved school, please keep her in your prayers for a restful, fulfilling, and fantASHtic retirement!

As we greet the summer days that lie ahead, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the days we have spent at the Academy for the past ten months. It is safe to say, everyone is ready for summer – the change of pace, the freedom to sleep in and stay up late, barbeques, ballgames, and vacations near and far.

It has been a great year – #thebest year ever! Beginning in August and throughout the school year, students have eagerly come to school, some even running to class. Excitement and joy filled the hallways and classrooms because learning is fun and there has been something new to experience and learn every day. Perhaps that eagerness waned from time to time, but overall students and adults appreciated the days in this very special “home away from home.”