Be Part of Something Great - Sacred Heart Academy

BE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT

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Be part of something larger Founded in 1865, Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) is an international, independent, all-girls, K-12, Catholic school on the Main Line. SHA is a member of the international Network of Sacred Heart Schools. SHA’s worldwide Network is represented in 41 countries with 24 independent Network schools located in the United States and Canada. We share a common heritage and vision with our global Network. As part of this international Network, we are committed to a set of principles shared by all Sacred Heart Schools. Known as the Goals and Criteria, these principles articulate the core components of education and charge our community with a unified mission.

Be all in

FOUNDED BY STRONG WOMEN — FOR STRONG WOMEN

Anchored in the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart, our philosophy of education is inspired by the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in 1800. The Society of the Sacred Heart was founded in response to St. Madeleine’s vision of education and faith in God. Today, Sacred Heart Schools are dedicated to that vision — to enable students to have independence of judgment, strength of character, personal freedom and to be people of service grounded in love. Sacred Heart Academy is focused on the development of each student and how each individual relates to the context of community.

A three-dimensional identity is the cornerstone of Sacred Heart educational institutions: independent, Catholic and Sacred Heart. It is this framework that enables us to create a synergy in our work on behalf of students of all faiths, as seen through the eyes of St. Madeleine Sophie’s vision for the emerging future. Schools of the Sacred Heart share in the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart to reveal God’s love in the world. In the Goals and Criteria, the Society of the Sacred Heart defines the mission of our school and leads us to hope in the goodness of every individual, the goodness of humanity and the love of the Heart of God.

GOALS

BE GUIDED EVERYDAY BY GOALS SCHOOLS OF THE SACRED HEART COMMIT THEMSELVES TO EDUCATE TO: • a personal and active faith in God; • a deep respect for intellectual values; • a social awareness which impels to action; • the building of community as a Christian value; and • personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

GOAL 1

PERSONAL AND ACTIVE FAITH IN GOD 4 | www.SHAbrynmawr.org

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GOALS

GOAL 2

DEEP RESPECT FOR INTELLECTUAL VALUES

GOAL 3

SOCIAL AWARENESS WHICH IMPELS TO ACTION 6 | www.SHAbrynmawr.org

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GOALS

GOAL 4

BUILDING OF COMMUNITY AS A CHRISTIAN VALUE

GOAL 5

PERSONAL GROWTH IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF WISE FREEDOM 8 | www.SHAbrynmawr.org

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NETWORK

NETWORK EXCHANGE Be a friend from afar The Network of Sacred Heart Schools offers a program of both domestic and international exchange to its students.

The Sacred Heart exchange program has existed for more than 40 years and has engaged more than 2,500 students from 24 Sacred Heart Schools in Canada and the United States along with a multitude of international students.

24 SCHOOLS US & CANADA

SUMMER SERVICE Be a positive impact on others

“ I traveled to the Sacred Heart school in Taiwan during the summer. There were many differences and similarities within the school community. It had the same feeling of a family-like community between students and teachers. I am really happy I decided to go on a Sacred Heart exchange. I learned about Taiwan’s unique culture and background and made many connections and friendships with Sacred Heart girls from other countries.”

— Zoë Quigley, Class of 2020

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In addition to serving among the poor and marginalized through a Network summer service program, one of the great benefits of participating in a summer service project is the opportunity to develop new friendships with students from across the country who come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Students are invited to live in a communal setting, to practice living simply, and to maintain a positive and open attitude.

The projects, now in their 28th year, offer students a unique experience of service and community, which has consistently made a significant impact on the lives of all who have been involved as well as the school communities to which the students return.

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NETWORK

SOPHIE CONNECT Be versatile in the digital world SophieConnect provides opportunities for network schools to offer online elective classes that promote Sacred Heart values and traditions while adhering to the high standards of a Sacred Heart education. Motivated and self-directed students experience non­traditional online classes and a unique, virtual network exchange experience at the same time. SophieConnect was founded in 2013 at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Connecticut. Some examples of course offerings: AP Art History, AP Computer Science, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Music Theory and AP Psychology. Course offerings vary and eligibility requirements are communicated each year through the Academics Department.

WE’RE PART OF SOMETHING LARGER • • • •

Common heritage Shared purpose United by Five Goals and Criteria Our Sacred Heart Network

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ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

Be connected for life Be part of the Sacred Heart Alumnae and Alumni groups for life: Local, National and Global. SHA graduates join three alumnae associations:

1. SHA Bryn Mawr Alumnae Association 2. Associated Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH)

50,000+ Alumnae/Alumni in US and Canada

30 Countries

3. World Association of Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AMASC)

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CURRICULUM

ACADEMICS Be part of a collaborative environment At Sacred Heart, we emphasize collaborative learning. Acknowledging the power of many voices, we encourage students to work together to find solutions to real-world problems.

Sacred Heart challenges each student to find her own voice within a group and to contribute actively to classroom discussions.

Whether extracting DNA from a strawberry, writing code, discussing The Odyssey, or debating the merits of past political systems, we know that students learn best when they are actively involved in classroom discovery.

Collaborative learning provides students with new perspectives, challenges their creativity, and builds an educational community centered on sharing and support.

Sample 9th Grade Schedule: • Art • Clubs • Algebra I or Algebra II • Community Time • Advisory • Literary Genres • Biology • Sacred Scriptures

• Wellness • Wise Freedom • World History • World Language

SCIENCE STEM Be aware of the world Science (STEM) education at Sacred Heart encourages students to explore the natural and physical world through observation, discussion and experiments. Our experienced and passionate science educators continually work to bring everyday applications of science into their classrooms to engage and foster a sense of wonder with their students. Smaller class sizes allow for student-centered learning, where collaboration and class group dynamics are key. All of our science classes regularly conduct inquiry-driven labs to provide students the scaffolding necessary to support scientific claims with evidence-based arguments.

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CURRICULUM

INTEGRATED HUMANITIES Be steadfast in your learning

“ The English classes at Sacred Heart have helped me develop a love of writing as well as my skills as a writer. With the research papers specifically, I was given the ability to learn about something new, but also to find ways to express my ideas in my unique voice, even though they were not opinion pieces. I was able to become invested in many of my papers as I learned how to develop my own arguments.

The humanities program at Sacred Heart is strong. I loved how the English and History classes are paired up because it allowed me, through reading the literature, to think about how people were being affected by the events of that time, not just learn the pure facts. In writing research papers, it allowed me to see how history still has its effects on me in the present.”

— Cathy Nguyen ’19 (Villanova University)

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“ The English department has amazing teachers who go above and beyond. They are always willing to help you work on writing skills or help you figure out your thoughts.

The teachers let the students explore and make connections on a deeper level or on a broader scale. I especially love book discussions for this reason. I have made quite the reputation for myself because I find minute details or symbols that make the book much more interesting, and I enlighten the teacher and the class. Unfortunately for them, I may not stop talking if I start.

Research papers would not be the same if it did not weave together English and History. My favorite research paper was the one about the Eiffel Tower because I had just come back from visiting France.

I learned about the history of the time, how it came to be, what challenges the builders faced, and much more. It opened my eyes, and I would not have had the same experience if the two classes were not intertwined. Moreover, learning how to write a research paper and all the skills that come with it are important for a higher education.

Sacred Heart sets up students with the right tools and knowledge to succeed in the future.”

— Grace Magnotta ‘19 (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

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CURRICULUM

COLLEGE COUNSELING Be prepared for your future The Sacred Heart Academy College Counseling Department includes three college counselors who educate and support students and families on the intricacies of the college search, application steps, and selection process. This comprehensive four-year program begins in 9th grade. Guided by Sacred Heart’s Five Goals, college counselors help to empower students to find their best “fit” for college where they will grow in academics, career planning and community involvement.

Students take control of their college process early on, rather than allowing the college process to take control of them. During 9th and 10th grade, students take Wellness classes to support personal growth and self-confidence. During Eleventh and Twelfth grades, students take College Counseling classes to support the college search and application processes.

Students use the online college and career readiness tool, Naviance, to align their strengths and interests with post-secondary plans. Benefits of using Naviance include extensive scholarship and college search tools, résumé documentation, and career assessment inventories. SHA college counselors and students employ Naviance throughout the application process.

Each year, Sacred Heart hosts more than 70 college representatives to visit with upper school students.

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STUDENT LIFE

BE BOUNDLESS IN YOUR AMBITIONS Be part of a competitive team Our athletic program is defined by how our athletes embrace the core values, good character, and mission of Sacred Heart Academy.

SHA’s student-athletes learn more than just winning humbly and losing gracefully. It is about the growth and development of our athletes as young adults. A SHA athlete not only improves her athletic ability but also learns what it means to be part of a team, and to respect her teammates, opponents, officials and the rules of the game. Student-athletes learn the value of self-discipline, hard work, perseverance, confidence and leadership.

The SHA athletics program is part of the interscholastic athletic program through the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies (AACA) and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

The program develops confidence, comradery, enthusiasm, leadership, and discipline in the student-athletes. Girls develop physically, mentally, and emotionally through participation in the SHA athletic program. Each year student-athletes graduate and move on to play at the collegiate level.

“Being a member of Sacred Heart Athletics has shown me what it means to be a reliable teammate — one who puts the success of the team above themselves. The loyalty and supportiveness that surrounds our sports programs has created a unique environment for me to improve as a student, athlete and person. SHA sports has truly enhanced my high school experience and I will be forever grateful.”

— Kayleigh Doyle ‘20

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BE RED

AND WHITE

STUDENT LIFE

BE INSPIRED Be creative Creative growth is linked to every field of study. Opportunities are everywhere. Visual arts, performing arts, and extra-curricular activities help build a sense of community and develop individual interests and passions. Sacred Heart students are passionate about new opportunities to be creative, grow and thrive. This can mean participating in the spring musical, writing for the school literary magazine, or designing a cover for the Mass program. The options to be creative go beyond a set curriculum and students are encouraged to be inspired.

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OUR INTERNATIONAL SACRED HEART COMMUNITY Current Countries where our Global Community Extends with Sacred Heart Schools

Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chad

Chile Colombia Congo England Egypt France Germany

India Ireland Italy Japan Kenya Malta Mexico

New Zealand Northern Ireland Peru Poland Puerto Rico Scotland South Korea

Spain Taiwan Uganda Wales Uruguay USA

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41

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150

MISSION

COUNTRIES

SCHOOLS IN US & CANADA

SCHOOLS WORLD WIDE

ALUMNAE AND ALUMNI WORLD-WIDE

5 SHARED GOALS

+ 200

YEARS

SACRED HEART EDUCATION IN NORTH AMERICA

SHA is the only all-girls school on the Main Line that is a member of the global Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

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“What is the good of teaching various subjects, of wasting time in learning them, if at the same time we cannot teach children the words of life and touch their hearts and their consciences?”

— St. Madeleine Sophie Barat “Strength of character is certainly needed to face life in the world and to stand by right principles, especially in the age in which we live.”

— St. Philippine Duchesne “Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, and transformation… It is continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, teaching you to see clearly and deeply, helping you to listen to your intuition.”

— Janet Erskine Stuart

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+ 50,000

Our Founding Mothers’ Vision of a Sacred Heart Education

Visit & Apply Be part of something larger

BE WHO YOU IMAGINE. BE YOU! SACRED HEART ACADEMY Our goal is inclusivity­— a place where girls can be their true authentic selves — where all feel welcome, comfortable and thrive in their full identities. A place where people of all backgrounds can feel appreciated and respected for who they are.

A place where young women can grow to become the best versions of themselves in an environment that is nurturing, accepting, and empowering.

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