This week, Mrs. Marcia Renken, principal, shares what is at the heart of an Academy education.
A distinctive aspect of a Sacred Heart education is the commitment to the nurturing and development of the whole child. Long before the term “whole child” became a buzz word in educational research and circles, the development of Habits of the Heart were a guiding principle in the designing and opening of Sacred Heart schools beginning in France. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the Society of the Sacred Heart believing that “in order to reach the mind, you must first touch the heart.” The building of a relationship, akin to the feeling of family, was the best way to guide and support “our children,” a term used by the RSCJ community in lieu of “students.” Her vision was to create an environment that would feel like home while the children attended classes. Today, at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, it continues to be important for every student, adult, and family to feel loved and accepted. We continue to listen, learn, teach, and grow in our understanding of how to make this happen.