Mission & Goals and Criteria

            Approved by the Board of Trustees, June 2004

All good independent schools provide strong academics and well-balanced activities and athletic programs. Excellent independent schools are those with a clear mission. Sacred Heart, as a member of the national and international Network of Sacred Heart Schools, has established Goals and Criteria that define all aspects of our program of excellence.

The School's commitment to build community is founded on dedicated and well-trained faculty and staff who actively support the Goals and Criteria of the Network of the Sacred Heart Schools in the United States. Parents and alumnae play a crucial role in supporting programs and providing resources. The School is governed by a Board of Trustees that ensures that policies reflect the philosophy of a Sacred Heart education.

The Goals and Criteria challenge the School community to provide academically advanced programs and courses that bring the values of a strong educational tradition to our students. Areas of study include the sciences, mathematics, modern languages, history, social sciences, religious studies, literature, language arts, the visual and performing arts, and skills in communication and technology. Technology and laptop computer programs broaden the learning environment for each girl.

As a Catholic school, Sacred Heart holds deeply to the development of the faith of each young woman. The spiritual development of each student is reinforced through coursework, prayer, reflection and liturgy so that she comes to experience God in her own way.

Social responsibility and education to justice impel each student, in age-appropriate ways, to become actively involved in service to others. Community service has been a compelling commitment of a Sacred Heart education since our beginning. Convent of the Sacred Heart provides all students with knowledge and experience of social problems worldwide, as well as in the local community, in a mutually enriching way.

The diversity of the student body continues to grow as we make additional efforts to increase the socioeconomic and ethnic balance of Sacred Heart’s student body. In addition to national and international student exchange programs, our multicultural efforts allow the building of community that overcomes barriers of race, economics and geography.

By frequent visits to this Web site, you can grasp the energy, laughter, mutual love and respect that characterize School life at Sacred Heart, and you can discover this for yourself when you visit Sacred Heart’s campus.

Convent of the Sacred Heart is part of a worldwide Network of Sacred Heart Schools in 28 countries. Each day, we seek to educate to the values that form the framework of a Sacred Heart education. The 21 independent Network schools located in the United States share a common heritage and vision. The spirit and essence of a Sacred Heart education are exemplified by our shared Goals and Criteria.

Goal 1:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God.
Rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, the school promotes a personal relationship with God and fosters the spiritual lives of its members.

The school seeks to form its students in the attitudes of the heart of Jesus expressed in respect, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.

The entire school program explores one’s relationship to God, to self, to others, and to all creation.

Opening themselves to the transforming power of the Spirit of God, members of the school community engage in personal and communal prayer, reflection and action.

The entire school program affirms that there is meaning and value in life and fosters a sense of hope in the individual and in the school community.

The school fosters inter-religious acceptance and dialogue by educating to an understanding of and deep respect for the religions of the world.

The school presents itself to the wider community as a Christ-centered institution and as an expression of the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Goal 2:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.
The school develops and implements a curriculum based on the Goals and Criteria, educational research and ongoing evaluation.

The school provides a rigorous education that incorporates all forms of critical thinking and inspires a life-long love of learning.

The school program develops aesthetic values and the creative use of imagination.

The faculty utilizes a variety of teaching and learning strategies that recognizes the individual needs of the students.

The school provides ongoing professional development for faculty and staff.

Members of the school community model and teach ethical and respectful use of technology.

Goal 3:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.
The school educates to a critical consciousness that leads its total community to analyze and reflect on the values of society and to act for justice.

The school offers all its members opportunities for direct service and advocacy and instills a life-long commitment to service.

The school is linked in a reciprocal manner with ministries among people who are poor, marginalized, and suffering from injustice.

In our multicultural world, the school prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally.

The school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards of the earth’s resources.

Goal 4:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value.
The school implements an ongoing plan for educating both adults and students in the heritage and mission of Sacred Heart education.

The School promotes a safe and welcoming environment in which each person is valued, cared for and respected.

Adult members of the school model and teach skills needed to build community and practice clear, direct, and open communication.

The School has programs that teach the principles of nonviolence, conflict resolution and peacemaking.

The school makes a deliberate effort to recruit students and employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The financial aid program effectively supports socioeconomic diversity.

The school participates actively in the national and international networks of Sacred Heart schools.

Goal 5:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
All members of the school community show respect, acceptance and concern for themselves and for others.

School policies and practices promote self-discipline, responsible decision-making, and accountability.

Students grow in self-knowledge and develop self-confidence as they learn to deal realistically with their gifts and limitations.

School programs provide for recognizing, nurturing and exercising leadership in its many forms.

The School provides opportunities for all members of the community to share their knowledge and gifts with others.

All members of the school community take personal responsibility for balance in their lives and for their health and well-being.

Foundational Principles:

In the Goals and Criteria, the Society of the Sacred Heart defines the mission of the School as part of the Society's educational mission in the Catholic Church.

Each school is accountable to the Society through the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals for adherence to the Goals and Criteria.

Each school's Board of Trustees and Administration establish and uphold policies that are consistent with the Goals and Criteria.

The School allocates its resources to support each Goal and its Criteria.

The School is in compliance with professional standards as stated by accrediting agencies.