Recent Posts

This week, John Storjohann shares gratitude to—and for—our Academy families on behalf of the faculty and staff.

What has always struck me about the Academy of the Sacred Heart is that while our purpose is education, our foundation is the relational charism of our community; the deep commitment to our mission, the support we offer one another through the challenges inherent in life, and the kindness and generosity that is exhibited throughout the year in so many ways and in so many venues. That kindness and generosity was profoundly on display from the gift offered from our parents to our faculty and staff through their Silver Tea donations. I know that I am not alone to say that I was deeply moved when I opened the envelope; I also know that I am not alone in saying that I am moved throughout the year as parents volunteer as room parents, to work at Country Fair, to plan and prepare Chemin de Fer, to serve at the Graduation Dinner…time after time, the presence and efforts of our parents help to make us the community we are.

This week, we share a brief Advent reflection from Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, Provincial of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province. As we move into these last days before Christmas, we wish you time to stop, breathe and pray.

Advent reminds us that the self-discipline of stopping, breathing and praying is a simple practice, but there is no better preparation for Christmas. During Advent we listen to prophets who are beckoning us to trust in the fidelity of God’s promise. We hear stories of Christ demonstrating the depth of the Father’s love. The words of the Scripture consistently challenge us to see the light of Christ being revealed through acts of justice, acts that build peace, acts that inspire hope. Advent comes alive for me when I spend time with children. Just look into the face of any child during these weeks of waiting for Christmas and what do you see? A sense of wonder, a sense of expectancy, a sense of excitement, and a sense of confident joy.

— Sacred Heart Advent Calendar —

This week Donna Swantner Tobin ’80 shares the impact of the Academy community’s generosity for Christmas Baskets with clients she serves at Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service. 

During the weeks leading up to Christmas each year, I recall the times my sisters and I would help my mother make a special grocery list, shop together, and then carefully pack a large basket of food and holiday goodies for the family who would receive our basket following the annual Christmas Basket Mass at the Academy. We would often wonder about the family who received our basket. Did they like it? Did it make their Christmas day a little brighter? While at the Academy, activities like preparing Christmas Baskets led me to an awareness of needs in our local community and how my actions could have an impact on others.

This week, Mr. Horner reflects on our blessings as we welcomed visitors from the Network of Sacred Heart Schools to campus.

Last night, I sat in the Shrine surrounded by colleagues and students from approximately 20 Network of Sacred Heart Schools. More than 70 high school students, faculty, staff, and administrators were in town for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference. The Academy was happy to welcome our Sacred Heart family for a tour of the Shrine and historic areas, a prayer service, and dinner.

As evening descended, sitting in the Shrine with the bright colors of the stained glass windows shifting on the walls, I was reminded through the lens of others’ perspective — most first-time visitors to our campus — of the privileged blessings of our school: To be the first international school of the Sacred Heart . . . to be Philippine’s school . . . to have in our Shrine the inspiration of a saint . . . to be followers in her footsteps. How fortunate we are to live our lives daily on these grounds!

Last week Middle School students reflected on the successes of the first trimester. Mrs. Renken asked for a Seventh and Eighth Class volunteer to write a brief summary of that brainstorming session. This week, we share a reflection from Alara M. ’24.

Getting to start back up school again in August as an Eighth Class student was a whirlwind of emotions. I say this because as the year progresses, the time will soon come when I must leave the Academy. I have built so many strong friendships and gained many life skills to succeed. 

There have been many successes for the Eighth Class this trimester. To start things off, the first week of school, we threw a beginning of the school year pep rally. We got to be introduced to new students and get everybody pumped for the year to come. It was a great demonstration of all the leadership opportunities we have had this trimester. Not long after, the Seventh and Eighth Class went to Camp Lakewood. We grew as a class and bonded with the new students who joined us last year.