“The bishop encourages us by his example; he says we are the mustard seed, that great good works are being prepared!”
–Philippine Duchesne to Madeleine Sophie Barat, September 1818
Happy Founder’s Day! On this day in 1818 the Academy of the Sacred Heart, the “first free school west of the Mississippi” opened in a primitive log cabin, fondly referred to as the Duquette Mansion.
From our school in St. Charles (later in Florissant), other foundations were made and there are now 25 schools in the Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the U.S. and Canada. The school that began humbly so long ago is educating children 205 years later!
On the anniversary of the Academy’s founding, we celebrate and honor the legacy of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – to educate and inspire the heart and mind of each child. We are grateful to our Academy community of current families, faculty and staff, RSCJ, Board of Trustees, alumni, parents of alumni and friends who help us each and every day to live out the mission of Sacred Heart education.
