Every once in a while it comes to my attention that I need to let folks know the process by which we make decisions at the Academy. This is one of those moments.
The answer is simple:
We make decisions using the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education as our lens, our north star and our compass.
Let me provide some examples.
The Principals, Directors of Student Life and faculty are often asked to assign “special roles” to various children. Guided by the Goals and Criteria, our desire is to give as many children as possible the opportunities to participate in special leadership or highly visible honors (reading at a prayer service or mass, being in the honor guard or the lily procession, offering special words of gratitude at Closing Day Ceremonies or Prize Day Ceremonies, just to name a few). So, to this end, we keep a multi-year list of who has been asked already so that we do not inadvertently ask the same children.
Another example along this line has to do with how we invite children to grow. Again, guided by the Goals and Criteria, our sincere desire, hope and wish is that every single child at this school grows in ALL areas and in ALL ways. Of course, for this to happen we need, want, hope and expect our parents to partner with us. The vehicle of our partnership is communication, so we earnestly invite parents to e-mail or call us when there is a perspective or perception you think we need to hear. We are helped by all conversations as we attempt to guide and invite every child in their journey of growth. Not to do so would be a disservice to our integrity, those children, and their parents.
Also in line with the Goals and Criteria, tuition assistance decisions are made with specific criteria and great discretion. The Academy uses a third party organization that looks at data and compares apples to apples. Our actions in this regard are guided by principles of fairness, with yearly oversight by our auditors. Furthermore, the few people who do view tuition assistance applications are bound not to reveal them. The Admissions Director does not know. The Principals do not know. The teachers do not know. (They don’t, of course, unless a family chooses to self-disclose that information).
I always like to take the opportunity to let people know that tuition assistance funds come from the Endowment (based on a formula of interest earned).
Please be assured that our philosophical foundation is not mere rhetoric! As administrators and educators, we truly, deeply and sincerely try to LIVE the depth of our mission and breadth of our goals every day and in every decision.
I ask every Academy family to trust their actual experience of us rather than any presumption or assumption.
With heartfelt and sincere Union in His Heart,
Maureen Glavin, rscj
