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When anyone tries to narrowly define something which encompasses a broad perspective, it is always dangerous. Yet, I think it is periodically worth our time to TRY to capture what I would call our essence. It helps us all understand what this unique Academy is really meant to be about. A prominent Sacred Heart educator, Sister Kay Baxter, once summed it up in three words. Sacred Heart education, she said, is:

• Relational
• Incarnational
• Transformational

Whole papers could be written to flesh out the depths of how these three principles relate to what, how and why we do what we do on a daily basis. Here, in a few sentences, is what I can say about each:
 
Relational – To be known, to know one is known, to experience oneself as cared about (cared about to the point of being invited to growth with reverently given honest feedback), to learn to love oneself and to learn how to be in healthy, authentic and respectful relationships with others is the CORE of our educational process and is one of our major educational goals. Relationship is also the very core of how we understand God. God is a BEING IN RELATIONSHIP.  This facet of God’s Very Being is captured in the theological doctrine of the Trinity.
 
Incarnational – To understand the Incarnation is to understand that the Divine not only transcends us but vivifies us! It is to understand that this Mystery we call God is at the very core of who we are. As Catholics we capture this by talking about the Christ-within-Creation.  God’s Very Self not only transcends creation but shines through creation. Human beings are certainly a part of the created world, so, of course, God shines in and through us as well. In fact, we have a unique role in this incarnational revelation of the divine. Some of the greatest saints in our history implore us to not only worship Christ, but to BE Christ in all our thoughts, words and actions. The Church supports our participation in this process in many ways. For example, eucharistically we are invited to become what we receive.
 
Transformational – Having awakened to / discovered / come to know the God-Within who loves and is desirous of being in a loving relationship with us, we are changed. With hearts that are open, we do indeed BECOME what we have come to experience within us. Having met Christ, we become Christ. We reveal Christ in our very loves and in every part of our lives. And, by allowing ourselves to be transformed into the face and hands and heart of Christ, we help to transform those we encounter on the journey of life. Love changes all. Our education is meant to be transformational because it is an education based on love. Our hope is that the students we send out into the world, by leading lives of love, in turn, help in transforming the world into a better place.  
 
I pray to be united with each of you through the Sacred Heart, a Heart which is God’s Heart in human form, a Heart which calls us to be in relationship, a Heart which, when known, transforms us so we can participate in the transformation of the world, thus contributing to creating homes, communities, nations and a planet filled with God’s Goodness, Grace and Wisdom.

Maureen Glavin, rscj
Head of School

Every once in a while it comes to my attention that I need to let folks know the process by which we make decisions at the Academy. This is one of those moments.
 
The answer is simple: 
We make decisions using the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education as our lens, our north star and our compass.
 
Let me provide some examples.
 
The Principals, Directors of Student Life and faculty are often asked to assign “special roles” to various children. Guided by the Goals and Criteria, our desire is to give as many children as possible the opportunities to participate in special leadership or highly visible honors (reading at a prayer service or mass, being in the honor guard or the lily procession, offering special words of gratitude at Closing Day Ceremonies or Prize Day Ceremonies, just to name a few). So, to this end, we keep a multi-year list of who has been asked already so that we do not inadvertently ask the same children.
 
Another example along this line has to do with how we invite children to grow. Again, guided by the Goals and Criteria, our sincere desire, hope and wish is that every single child at this school grows in ALL areas and in ALL ways. Of course, for this to happen we need, want, hope and expect our parents to partner with us. The vehicle of our partnership is communication, so we earnestly invite parents to e-mail or call us when there is a perspective or perception you think we need to hear. We are helped by all conversations as we attempt to guide and invite every child in their journey of growth. Not to do so would be a disservice to our integrity, those children, and their parents.
 
Also in line with the Goals and Criteria, tuition assistance decisions are made with specific criteria and great discretion. The Academy uses a third party organization that looks at data and compares apples to apples. Our actions in this regard are guided by principles of fairness, with yearly oversight by our auditors. Furthermore, the few people who do view tuition assistance applications are bound not to reveal them. The Admissions Director does not know. The Principals do not know. The teachers do not know. (They don’t, of course, unless a family chooses to self-disclose that information).
 
I always like to take the opportunity to let people know that tuition assistance funds come from the Endowment (based on a formula of interest earned).
 
Please be assured that our philosophical foundation is not mere rhetoric! As administrators and educators, we truly, deeply and sincerely try to LIVE the depth of our mission and breadth of our goals every day and in every decision.
 
I ask every Academy family to trust their actual experience of us rather than any presumption or assumption.
 
With heartfelt and sincere Union in His Heart,

Maureen Glavin, rscj