The Academy of the Sacred Heart, in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, is a Catholic, independent, day and boarding school for girls. The boarding school accommodates approximately 30-50 students in grades seven through twelve and has been in continuous operation since the school opened in 1821. The boarding program attracts students from the United States and around the world, including Mexico, China, South Korea and Japan. These students are academic achievers who have a strong desire to succeed and to contribute to the Sacred Heart community. The five-day program provides students with an opportunity to reside at school during the week and go home for the weekends. The seven-day residential program offers planned activities each weekend. Both programs foster the ideals of independence, leadership and personal responsibility, as well as the building of community. The boarding students have diverse national and international backgrounds.
Location
The school is located approximately 20 minutes north of Lafayette, Louisiana between the cities of Lafayette and Opelousas. Grand Coteau is a four hour drive from Houston, Texas, a two and a half hour drive from New Orleans, Louisiana and a three hour drive from Shreveport, Louisiana. Airports to consider if you are flying to Louisiana: Lafayette (LFT) – 30 minute drive to Sacred Heart; New Orleans (MSY) – 2 ½ drive to Sacred Heart; Houston (IAH) – 4 hour drive to Sacred Heart.
The boarding school provides airport travel to the Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) as well as the Houston Airport for each school break. The Boarding School Head will establish this transportation information.
Boarding School Staff
Mrs. Cheryll Guilbeau – Head of the Boarding School
Mrs. Guilbeau is a 1976 graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart Grand Coteau. Growing up in a large family, she understands the dynamics of living in a community. She attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana where she earned a degree in business. After graduating, she worked as a buyer and manager at a local business. Mrs. Guilbeau is married and has two children, both products of Catholic education. Her daughter, Renee, is a 2005 graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Always interested in volunteering, she spent countless hours at her children’s schools and area Lafayette organizations. Her focus and passion has always been working with children. She embraces the values and traditions of a Sacred Heart education. Mrs. Guilbeau’s commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools along with her experience and passion for working with children of all ages has served her well in her role as Head of the Boarding School. She is dedicated to giving each boarder the very best experience possible. Her responsibilities entail ensuring the health and well-being of each member of the school’s international family.
Boarding School Staff
In addition to the Head and Assistant Head of the Boarding School, a staff of 10 experienced women are responsible for overseeing the daily activities within the Boarding School. Two staff members are on duty each night during the week and on weekends to assist the boarders and supervise activities and outings. A third staff member is responsible for monitoring nightly study. Each boarding school staff is First Aid, CPR and AED certified through the National CPR Foundation.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The Academy offers English as a Second Language (ESL) to help students improve their English skills. The school provides a supportive environment that addresses individual needs and allows students to develop the cultural understanding and performance skills necessary to function appropriately and successfully in both academic and social situations. Before classes resume in August, international students are given an assessment to measure their verbal and written English proficiency.* Based on these results, international students will be placed in one of three levels in the ESL program. This placement decision will be made by the division head of the Upper School in consultation with the Director of the ESL program.
Students in grades seven through twelve take seven to eight classes. One of these classes will be an ESL class and the others will be regular classes with American students. All ESL students use the Rosetta Stone English module as a supplement to their language studies.
*English proficiency is defined as the student’s ability to effectively listen, speak, read, write, and analyze information in the English language as determined through an assessment by the staff at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
Network of Sacred Heart Schools
There are 24 Sacred Heart schools in the United States and Canada. Established in 1821, our school is the oldest continuously operating Sacred Heart school in the world!
The Academy of the Sacred Heart is part of an International Network of Sacred Heart Schools with 200 schools in 44 countries around the world. Sacred Heart schools are run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a French order of nuns that was founded in 1800 by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. The Network gives our students a global awareness and provides excellent opportunities for international exchange.
The experience of studying at Sacred Heart is one that your daughter will never forget. It is a place where your daughter will be known and loved. Sacred Heart education emphasizes serious study, educates to social responsibility, and lays the foundations of a strong faith.
You can learn more about the Network of Sacred Heart here.
The Academy welcomes families who are interested in learning more about Sacred Heart education. Individual tours are available by appointment. Boarding school applicants are encouraged to schedule an overnight visit as well as a day with their prospective class.
If you are interested in having your daughter study at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, please contact Mrs. D’Lane Wimberley Thomas at admissions@sshcoteau.org or by phone at (337) 662-5275.
