May 23, 2024

May 23, 2024

“Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”

— St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

On Saturday, the Class of 2024 will be graduating in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne. This year, graduation falls on May 25, the feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in France in 1800. Her vision, wisdom and deep faith inspired her to send Philippine Duchesne to this country in 1818 to found the Academy, and it is especially fitting that we will celebrate graduates on her feast day.

Some students have spent 10 years at the Academy, and others have joined along they way. Not only have they grown spiritually, academically and personally, but they have grown together in a supportive community. Their experiences may have been different, but they share a deep gratitude for their Sacred Heart education.


May 16, 2024

May 16, 2024

Ms. Jennifer Quick, Director of Admissions, shares exciting updates from the Admissions Office. The spring has been buzzing with tours and shadow visits and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the summer!

As the ASH Admissions Director it’s such a pleasure journeying with students and their families from the inquiry phase throughout the enrollment process and then as they thrive during the year. We are pleased to announce that we currently have more new students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year than as of the first day of school in August of 2023. We couldn’t do this without the ASH community as we continue to receive strong inquiries, often through referrals. Not only are we ahead in enrollment, we continue to have opportunities to grow even more during the summer.

To help us grow during the months ahead, please spread the word about upcoming events like our Lunch ‘n Story next Tuesday, May 21 at 11:30 a.m. for prospective students under 5. On Saturday, June 1, the Academy is hosting the Kids’ Area at 636 Day, a fun family event in Frenchtown, so please stop by and say hello (and be sure to wear your ASH gear). Also, our Midsummer Pool Party on Saturday, July 13 at Wapelhorst Park is sure to be a splASH for our inquiring and new families. Please invite interested and new families and introduce them to all your ASH friends.


May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

As we continue through the busyness of May, Mr. Horner eagerly anticipates celebrations and milestones and looks ahead to the 2024-2025 academic year. Below, he shares plans and exciting initiatives.

I often consider May the highlight of the year. Yes, it is certainly busy, but more so it offers culminations, celebrations, and joy-filled experiences, from Mission Day to Field Day, May Crowning to Prize Ceremonies. The Eighth Class Graduation Dinner, Maypole and Graduation are milestones.

May is also the time when early plans for the next year come into clearer focus. I am pleased to share the following developments.


Scenes from Chemin de Fer 2024

May 3, 2024

Saturday’s Chemin de Fer: the Golden Age was a grand celebration of 50 years! Nearly 400 guests came together for a spectacular evening of Sacred Heart community to benefit the Academy in our own Grand Central Station.

Board member Mary Charlotte Chandler, RSCJ began the evening with prayer. Mr. Horner then recognized the evening’s Honorary Chair, Marcia Baronovic Renken ’72, 8th, and introduced a tribute video. Marcia was joined by her family, former classmates and friends for this very special moment.

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Scenes from Chemin de Fer 2024

May 3, 2024

Saturday’s Chemin de Fer: the Golden Age was a grand celebration of 50 years! Nearly 400 guests came together for a spectacular evening of Sacred Heart community to benefit the Academy in our own Grand Central Station.

Board member Mary Charlotte Chandler, RSCJ began the evening with prayer. Mr. Horner then recognized the evening’s Honorary Chair, Marcia Baronovic Renken ’72, 8th, and introduced a tribute video. Marcia was joined by her family, former classmates and friends for this very special moment.

The live auction featured trips, tickets and one-of-kind experiences plus an adorable pup. White Center Cafeteria was filled with silent auction items and guests mingled, enjoying each other’s company and Academy spirit.

Big congratulations to our 24K Magic Raffle winners current parents Brian and Lauren Teschendorf! Kevin and Elizabeth Grelle (parents of Laurel ’17) were winners of the Around the World in 50 Years Raffle.

An exciting evening of bidding concluded with the Fund-the-Need project: Computer Lab Updates, Interactive Touch Panels in the Classroom, and a new Curriculum and Learning Coach position. An initial anonymous donation of $200,000 with a $200,000 match was met with a total of $100,000 in anonymous gifts and brisk bidding in the room, to reach more than $400,000!

Thank you to our chairs Mike ’91 and Jessica Weeks and co-chairs Katie Renken ’96 and Marco Rosales and the incredible work of the auction committees. We are grateful to our guests for making the journey — looking back at 50 years and forward to 50 more! Mark your calendars and join us for Chemin de Fer 2025 on May 3!

For many more images, visit our Facebook or Instagram.


Thank You for a Successful Chemin de Fer

May 3, 2024

This week Mr. Horner shares deep gratitude to the Academy community for a successful Chemin de Fer last Saturday. It was humbling to experience the support of Academy families — present and past — alums from across the years, former faculty and staff, RSCJ, Board members, grandparents and friends of the Academy.

The 50th Chemin de Fer transported us to a magical night, from a train station unrecognizable as a gym, to an enjoyable meal with friends, to Chemin Central crowded with almost 400 guests, to honoring Mrs. Renken as Honorary Chair. The excitement began as the doors opened and continued throughout the night.

We will continue down the tracks of appreciation. Thank you to all who donated to the Fund-the-Need, or in this case fund enhancements to the academic program. The generosity of the community raised more than $400,000.

Thank you to all who donated and purchased items. The total raised this year was record setting, eclipsing the record set just last year. Stay tuned for final numbers.

Thank you to all who attended and filled the room with Academy spirit. Our school is strong because our community is unequaled.

Chemin de Fer is a labor of love and I am especially grateful to Special Events Coordinator extraordinaire Heather Locker for her masterful work. Thank you to chairs Mike ’91 and Jessica Weeks and co-chairs Katie Renken ’96 and Marco Rosales and the incredible work of the auction committees. The dedication and hard work demonstrated — week after week of “Chemin Season” — was remarkable and inspiring.

Chemin de Fer #51: Please join us May 3, 2025 as we seek to have more than 500 attendees!


May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

This week Mr. Horner shares deep gratitude to the Academy community for a successful Chemin de Fer last Saturday. It was humbling to experience the support of Academy families — present and past — alums from across the years, faculty and staff, RSCJ, Board members, grandparents and friends of the Academy.

The 50th Chemin de Fer transported us to a magical night, from a train station unrecognizable as a gym, to an enjoyable meal with friends, to Chemin Central crowded with almost 400 guests, to honoring Mrs. Renken as Honorary Chair. The excitement began as the doors opened and continued throughout the night.

We will continue down the tracks of appreciation. Thank you to all who donated to the Fund-the-Need, or in this case fund enhancements to the academic program. The generosity of the community raised more than $400,000.


April 25, 2024

April 25, 2024

This week we celebrate National Volunteer Week and the spirit of service and camaraderie that is so distinctive at the Academy. Heather Locker, Special Events Coordinator, shares why she is inspired to give back to ASH.

When my husband, Jeff, and I met with Head of School Sister Maureen Glavin in 2010, she asked, “Will you make this school part of your life? And will you join this partnership with me for your children?” On that day, we said “yes” and today, almost 15 years later, we are still saying “yes.” This school is special because volunteers are able to take such a big part in their children’s lives and education. Volunteers at the Academy truly make a difference.   


April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

This week, Mrs. Mary Reepmeyer reflects on her time in the classroom as Fourth Class teacher as she transitions to Principal for the 2024-25 academic year.

Spring, with its promise of renewal, is my favorite season for a variety of reasons. The flowers begin blooming, the grass turns greener, and the landscape becomes a colorful tapestry to admire. I appreciate the warmer weather as students enjoy lunch outside and hold classes around our beautiful campus. During Poetry Month, I encourage my Fourth Class students to reflect upon themselves and the vibrant world around them as they write their bio and color poems. I also love Earth Day and incorporating lessons around its importance in hopes of inspiring students to become stewards of the Earth and active agents of environmental change. (Goal 3) Lastly, one feels the palpable excitement around the preparation for many exciting end-of-year activities and events such as Chemin de Fer, Mission Day, Field Day, May Crowning, and of course graduation for our Eighth Class students. It is truly a time of immense joy!


The Academy Receives STEM Grant

April 12, 2024

For the past four years, the Economic Development Council of St. Charles County (EDC) has collaborated with local entrepreneur, STEM champion, and parent of Academy alums Randy Schilling, along with other sponsors, to award teachers in St. Charles County grants of up to $1,000 to fund STEM-related classroom materials.

This year, we are pleased to announce that the Academy is a recipient of a $1,000 grant!


April 11, 2024

April 11, 2024

Spring is in the air and it’s a nice time to share some recent reviews from Academy parents. Sharing the #academylove is invaluable to our school as prospective parents consider reviews and word of mouth when they are researching their school choice. We are grateful for these from the heart testimonials!