Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 1821, is an independent Catholic school enrolling girls in pre-primary through grade twelve with residential accommodations for students in grades seventh through twelve.

As a member of the worldwide network of Sacred Heart schools, the Academy of the Sacred Heart emphasizes the total development of mind, body, and spirit through an education rooted in the Catholic tradition. Students thrive in an environment characterized by seriousness of purpose, love of learning, creativity, and meaningful relationships. The Academy is committed to educating young women to a lively sense of God’s action in their lives, to a serious understanding of the world, and to a courageous confidence that every person can make a difference.

The Sacred Heart mission seeks to develop within each student a personal & active faith in God.

“Rooted in the Catholic tradition, the Academy welcomes people of diverse beliefs and seeks to instill in its students a deep understanding and respect for people of different cultures and religions.”

The goal at the Academy is to develop life-long learners, with an emphasis on individual thought and experiential instruction, religious curriculum, active learning, small classes and a professional faculty committed to the learning styles of young women.

Located on a historic 255-acre campus, the school offers students the experience of an innovative and challenging curriculum within a supportive learning environment that emphasizes the positive process of individual growth through an education designed for young women.

Enriched by a 200-year tradition of teaching, within a national and international network of Sacred Heart schools, the Academy prepares students to become confident, faith-filled, and effective leaders. It is the very essence of the Academy that it be deeply concerned for each student’s total development: intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

The mission of the Academy of the Sacred Heart is to make the future noble by forming the minds and hearts of young people in a challenging and innovative academic environment that reflects the aims and ideals of the Sacred Heart.

Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau is comprised of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a single-gender school for girls, and Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart, a single-gender school for boys. The school has a history that is rich in both tradition and values that dates back to France in the year 1800 when Madeleine Sophie Barat founded the religious order named the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Madeleine Sophie Barat was fortunate enough to have received an education from her brother during a time when women simply were not educated. It is upon her vision for education of young women that the Society and all Sacred Heart schools have their foundation. The Society was brought to America in 1818 by St. Philippine Duchesne. Under her direction, two Religious of the Sacred Heart, Mother Eugenie Audé and Sr. Mary Layton, traveled to Grand Coteau to establish the Academy in the year 1821. The journey was made possible by Mrs. Charles Smith, a wealthy widow, who donated funds for the trip, as well as 250 acres of property and a school building.

The Academy of the Sacred Heart opened its doors to eight students in October of 1821 and has since been continuously committed to excellence in the education of young women. The Academy offers instruction in PreKindergarten 3 – 12th grade and is the only single-gender education choice in the area.

Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart provides young men in the Acadiana region with their only choice for a independent, Catholic, single-gender education. The school opened in 2006 and offers instruction in Pre-Kindergarten 3 – 12th grade.  With attention to current research and continuous faculty development in the best practices for teaching boys, Berchmans Academy provides the opportunity for young men to become their best. Students come to realize and commit to their responsibility of helping to shape God’s Kingdom of peace and justice.

Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau is part of the national and international Network of Sacred Heart Schools. All of the network schools are rooted in the philosophy and vision of St. Madeleine Sophie and are guided by the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education. These Goals are our foundation, and we strive to apply them and to live them in our everyday lives throughout the school community.

The Goals are as follows:

Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to:

1. a personal and active faith in God.
2. a deep respect for intellectual values.
3. a social awareness which impels to action.
4. the building of community as a Christian value.
5. a personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

It is of the very essence of Sacred Heart education that it be deeply concerned for each student’s total development: intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. The intention of Sacred Heart education is to educate the “whole child.” We strive to educate our students to be faith-filled and effective leaders of tomorrow. We teach according to the ways that each gender learn best, and we encourage our students to identify their individual talents and to develop them to their fullest potential.

The Schools of the Sacred Heart at Grand Coteau is part of the national and international Network of Sacred Heart schools. There are 24 schools in the United States and Canada and over two hundred schools internationally.

The Network of Sacred Heart Schools is a nonprofit corporation and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of the United States Provincial of the Society of the Sacred Heart, the Executive Director of the Network, and nine to fifteen Directors who are present or former Heads of School and present or former Trustees of Network Schools. The national office is in Washington, DC.

The Network provides opportunities for faculty and students to share with other Sacred Heart schools in the United States and abroad. High School students may participate in the Exchange Program, which affords them the opportunity to spend time studying at another Sacred Heart school. Students in grades 7-12 may participate in Network sponsored Service Programs and Leadership Training Programs. (Please contact the Upper School Dean for further information on these programs.) Class trips and informal visits to Sacred Heart schools add to the sense of belonging to the Network. Faculty and staff collaborate regularly on a national basis and annual meetings bring together Heads and Trustees, administrators and staff from member schools. Families who visit a city where another Sacred Heart school is located are encouraged to plan a visit.

You may visit the website for the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

Foundational Principles

1. 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.
2. Each school is accountable to the Society through the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals for adherence to the Goals and Criteria.
3. Each school’s Board of Trustees and Administration establish and uphold policies that are consistent with the Goals and Criteria.
4. The school allocates its resources to support each Goal and its Criteria.
5. The school is in compliance with professional standards as stated by accrediting agencies.

Goal I:  Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God.

1. Rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, the school promotes a personal relationship with God and fosters the spiritual lives of its members.
2. The school seeks to form its students in the attitudes of the heart of Jesus expressed in respect, compassion, forgiveness and generosity.
3. The entire school program explores one’s relationship to God, to self, to others, and to all creation.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. The school fosters inter-religious acceptance and dialogue by educating to an understanding of and deep respect for the religions of the world.
7. 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 II:  Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.

1. The school develops and implements a curriculum based on the Goals and Criteria, educational research and ongoing evaluation.
2. The school provides a rigorous education that incorporates all forms of critical thinking and inspires a life-long love of learning.
3. The school program develops aesthetic values and the creative use of the imagination.
4. The faculty utilizes a variety of teaching and learning strategies that recognizes the individual needs of the students.
5. The school provides ongoing professional development for faculty and staff.
6. Members of the school community model and teach ethical and respectful use of technology.

Goal III:  Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.

1. 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.
2. The school offers all its members opportunities for direct service and advocacy and instills a life-long commitment to service.
3. The school is linked in a reciprocal manner with ministries among people who are poor, marginalized and suffering from injustice.
4. In our multicultural world, the school prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally, and globally.
5. The school teaches respect for creation and prepares students to be stewards of the earth’s resources.

Goal IV:  Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value.

1. The school implements an ongoing plan for educating both adults and students in the heritage and mission of Sacred Heart education.
2. The school promotes a safe and welcoming environment in which each person is valued, cared for and respected.
3. Adult members of the school model and teach skills needed to build community and practice clear, direct and open communication.
4. The school has programs that teach the principles of nonviolence, conflict resolution and peacemaking.
5. The school makes a deliberate effort to recruit students and employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities and backgrounds.
6. The financial aid program effectively supports socioeconomic diversity.
7. The school participates actively in the national and international networks of Sacred Heart schools.

Goal V:  Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

1. All members of the school community show respect, acceptance and concern for themselves and for others.
2. School policies and practices promote self-discipline, responsible decision-making, and accountability.
3. Students grow in self-knowledge and develop self-confidence as they learn to deal realistically with their gifts and limitations.
4. School programs provide for recognizing, nurturing and exercising leadership in its many forms.
5. The school provides opportunities for all members of the community to share their knowledge and gifts with others.
6. All members of the school community take personal responsibility for balance in their lives and for their health and well-being.