Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1877, Sacred Heart Academy is a Catholic, Ursuline college preparatory, all-girls high school committed to the core values of reverence, service, leadership and community.
Sacred Heart offers an unmatched educational experience in Louisville:
• International Baccalaureate = best-practice, global curriculum for students, professional development for faculty, and external accountability for all
• College-level courses, including IB, AP, and Dual-Credit and Lead & Learn Career Pathways
• Formalized leadership development for every student through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute
• Faith formation grounded in the Ursuline heritage, campus ministry, service outreach, and retreat opportunities
• Holistic academic and social-emotional support from academic interventionists, learning differences coordinators, and counselors.
• Nationally ranked athletics, no-cut sports, and intramurals
• Award-winning, full-scale visual and performing arts programs with travel opportunities
• Commitment to every aspect of student life, SHA sisterhood and building community
NUMBERS Strength
774 TOTAL STUDENTS
74 FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS 85% WITH GRADUATE OR POSTGRADUATE DEGREES
18 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
1:1 MICROSOFT SURFACE PROGRAM
100% GRADUATION RATE
48ACRE URSULINE CAMPUS
$1.5 MILLION IN TUITION ASSISTANCE AWARDED
10:1 STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO
16 SPORTS
3 NO-CUT TEAMS INTRAMURALS
FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, SHA STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO MORE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND AVERAGED MORE EARNED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS THAN ANY OTHER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE. DATADRIVEN STUDENT SUPPORT APPROACH
111 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND COUNTING…
Class of 2024 Success Stories a class of their own
• 168 graduates, 99% attending college
• Accepted into 164 unique colleges and universities
• 85% of graduates earned academic scholarships equaling over $30 million
• Three National Merit finalists
• 22 Governor’s Scholar, School for the Arts and School for Entrepreneurs graduates
• 93 members of the National Honor Society (55% of the class)
• Performed over 24,000 hours of service, outside of school
• 52 students honored with Angeline Service Award for Service Honor Roll all four years
• 36 Frazier Fellows graduated with a Leadership Certificate of Distinction on their transcript
• 22 committed college athletes
• 13 KMEA Choral State Distinguished Vocalists
• 6 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
SHADist ction The
A holistic educational experience unmatched in Louisville.
UNPARALLELED COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE OPTIONS
49 college-credit offerings
39 IB + 9 AP + 1 Dual Credit
90% of the Class of 2024 took at least one college-credit course
ONE-OF-A-KIND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Formal leadership development curriculum for every student through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute. Additional opportunities include:
• Frazier Fellows Leadership Certificate Program
• Charles Kane Family Internship Program
• Dr. Cynthia Crabtree Financial Literacy Program
• Career Discovery through Lunch and Learn and Career Day programs
LEARN & LEAD CAREER EXPLORATION PATHWAYS
Flexible framework that provides the opportunity for college credit, career-related skill development, and documentation on the high school transcript
• Includes a full-day career immersion program and internship opportunities through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute
• Current Pathways include Medical Science, Engineering, Global Business and Public Policy
AN INDIVIDUALIZED, HOLISTIC, AND DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO STUDENT SUPPORT
The H.E.A.R.T. system addresses academic, emotional, and personal needs through four dedicated school and college counselors, two directors of the Accessible Education Center for students with learning differences, two academic interventionists, and a student support specialist
KATY BROWN ’83 ENDOWED GLOBAL HEARTS TRAVEL PROGRAM
International student travel program guided by three pillars: Global Service & Advocacy, Education & Leadership, and Ursuline Heritage
Four 2024-25 student trips include Belize, Iceland, Costa Rica and Greece
UNIQUE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
• 48-acre Ursuline Campus
• 500-seat Ursuline Arts Center
• Turf and grass fields, track, tennis courts, two gyms, and weight room
• Performing Arts integration through Sacred Heart School for the Arts
• Campus collaboration with Sacred Heart Preschool and Model School
STUDENT-FOCUSED SCHEDULE
Block Scheduling with four blocks each day and a daily 45-minute period dedicated to assemblies, group study, makeup work, teacher meetings, study hall, and more.
• Eight courses each semester allow ample time for college/career pathway interests and additional electives outside graduation requirements.
Theology
finite Opportunities
Academic Course Options at SHA
Science
Theology I-IV
Language and Literature
English I-IV
IB English I-II
AP Language and Composition
AP English Literature
Creative Writing
Film Study and Analysis
Language Acquisition
Chinese I-II
Advanced Chinese II-III
IB Mandarin I-II
French I-III
IB French I-II
Spanish I-IV
IB Spanish I-II
Individuals and Societies
World History
U.S. History
U.S. Government
IB History I: World History
IB History II: History of the Americas
AP US History
AP World History
IB Global Politics
A.P. U.S. Government and Politics
Psychology
IB Psychology
IB Economics
Dual Credit Art History
Current World Affairs
Women’s Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
IB Chemistry
IB Biology I-II
IB Physics I-II
AP Environmental Science
IB Sports, Exercise, and Health Science
Human Anatomy and Physiology
Nutritional Science
Mathematics
Algebra I/Geometry
Accelerated Algebra II/Geometry
Geometry/Algebra II
AP Precalculus
AP Calculus AB
IB Mathematics HL I-II
IB Mathematics SL I-II
Performing Arts
Intro to Musical Theatre
Music Theory for the Stage
Introduction to Acting Introduction to Dance
Advanced Dance
Technical Theatre
Advanced Piano
Guitar
Piano
A Cappella Choir
Madrigals Choir
Private Music Lessons
IB Music I-II
IB Dance I-II
IB Theatre I-II
Scan the code to view the Program of Studies
Visual Arts
Art I-IV
Ceramics I-III
Photography I-II
Mixed Media Design
Painting
Film Photography
Digital Photography
IB Visual Art I-II
Design: Business, Communication, and Technology
Freshman Design Seminar
Digital Design and Multimedia
Visual Communication Design
Entrepreneurship and Business Applications
Marketing
Personal Finance
Broadcasting I-II
Yearbook I-II
AP Computer Science Principles
IB Computer Science I-II
Information Technology Internship
Sports Marketing & Media Internship
Sophomore Leadership Seminar
Business Communications
Vex Robotics I-II
IB Business Management
IB Economics
Physical & Health Education
Health
Physical Education
Fitness for Life
Child Development
Team Sports
Yoga & Barre
Intro to Dance
Advanced Dance
Interdisciplinary
Writing Lab
Theory of Knowledge
Jean Frazier Leadership Institute
Program and Extended Internship
WHAT WILL YOUR DAUGHTER LEARN ABOUT HERSELF?
VALKYRIE VALUE
YOU ARE unconditionall LOVED.
YOU ARE mor tha enouh .
YOU WILL CHANGE the worl AROUND ou . YOU ARE A resilient & stron LEADER.
WHO WILL YOUR DAUGHTER BECOME?
The PORTRAIT of a SACRED HEART ACADEMY Graduate
A strong, confident, and empowered young woman
A servant leader developed through the founding vision and core values of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville
A globally minded, compassionate leader
A creative, critical, and reflective thinker
HOW AND WHY?
Sacred Heart Academy is more than a school; it’s a community committed to raising compassionate, empowered young women. It is a training ground for future leaders who will compete and excel in a globalized economy.
At SHA, we prioritize a well-rounded educational experience. It is not just about amassing skills but nurturing compassionate, reflective, and balanced individuals who can navigate the world with understanding, integrity, and a commitment to making meaningful contributions.
Our vision is clear: to shape young women who are not only well-prepared academically as they enter their college majors and careers but also confident young women ready to lead, serve, and thrive in every facet of their lives.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT ALL LEVELS FOR ALL STUDENTS
Since 1877, Sacred Heart Academy has helped young women become world-ready leaders through a diverse, customizable high school experience that meets students’ needs academically, emotionally, and socially. A challenging curriculum is paired with individualized student support, including support for students with diagnosed learning differences.
URSULINE CORE VALUES AND THE VALKYRIE VALUE
As a Catholic, Ursuline school, we are equally committed to forming compassionate, moral citizens who serve others. The Ursuline core values of reverence, service, leadership, and community are fundamental to all we say and do. The Valkyrie Value statements are aimed at empowering our students to navigate their world confidently with the understanding of their intrinsic value as children of God.
COMMITTED AND SUPPORTIVE FACULTY AND STAFF
SHA’s faculty and staff are second to none. They show deep dedication to student success—academically, spiritually, mentally, and physically. As IB educators, they receive ongoing tested and proven professional development. They love what they do and where they do it.
INTENTIONAL AND INTEGRATED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The Jean Frazier Leadership Institute empowers every student to discover her unique gifts and attributes and find her personal leadership style. JFLI empowers every student to share her gifts through authentic, experiential, often transformational experiences in real-world settings.
STUDENT LIFE, SHA SISTERHOOD, AND COMMUNITY
Once a Valkyrie, Forever a Valkyrie. The bonds of sisterhood that form in our all-girls environment are genuine and long-lasting. We are committed to providing a positive, well-rounded student experience and assist every Valkyrie in finding her people, her place, her voice and her home.
Tuition Affordability at SHA
A Sacred Heart Academy education is one of the best investments you can make in your daughter’s future. If your family wants to join our community, we want to make it possible. Therefore, we are committed to providing tuition assistance to as many families with demonstrated financial need as possible. For the 2024-2025 school year, SHA awarded more than $1.5 million in tuition assistance and scholarships to qualified students, and we are committed to increasing that amount each year.
Tuition Assistance
The Archdiocese of Louisville and Sacred Heart Academy use the FACTS Management Company to manage tuition assistance forms.
• The FACTS form can be completed online beginning October 15, 2024, and must be completed by December 30, 2024.
• Don’t miss the deadline! Aid is need-based and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Late applications will only be considered once all on-time applications (completed by December 30, 2024) have received an award.
• A COMPLETE application includes submitting the FACTS application and uploading all requested documentation:
• All federal forms, including tax reports (2023), all Schedules, including W2’s, and any applicable business returns
Scholarships at SHA
Sacred Heart offers 70+ scholarships in addition to financial assistance. The scholarship application will open in mid-January.
Additionally, any student who takes the High School Placement Test at SHA and scores in the 90th percentile or above will receive a four-year, renewable merit scholarship ranging from $500 to $4000 per year.
This year, SHA awarded more than $1.5 million in tuition assistance and scholarships to
