Mission and Values

In 2004-2005, the constituencies of the Network Schools and the Religious of the Sacred Heart engaged in a spirited consultation that defined non-negotiable “foundational principles” for being a Sacred Heart school. These foundational principles are part of our school’s reflection on what it means to be a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Each foundational principle is very important to us.

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.

The Goals and Criteria are the sine qua non for every school that belongs to the Sacred Heart Network. In the late 1960s and in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council, Sacred Heart schools faced a number of serious challenges: a declining number of religious available for work in the schools, a diminishing number of Sacred Heart schools open and operating, and the development of independent Boards of Trustees in the remaining institutions. Lay and religious Sacred Heart educators began to meet to find a way to safeguard the legacy and vision of a Sacred Heart education in the United States.

Eventually, five goals true to the inspiration of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat were articulated that helped define what a Sacred Heart institution strives to do. Specific criteria were drawn up by which to judge whether an institution was indeed pursuing each of the five goals and thereby merited membership in the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. The Goals and Criteria published in 1975 were adapted and redefined in 1990, and again in 2005, to reflect more accurately the challenges facing the schools as they neared the end of the twentieth century.

Goal I

(A thirst for God)
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God.

• Rooted in the love of Jesus Christ, the school promotes a personal relationship with God and fosters the spiritual lives of its members.
• The school seeks to form its students in the attitudes of the heart of Jesus expressed in respect, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity.
• The entire school program explores one’s relationship to God, to self, to others, and to all creation.
• 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.
• 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.
• The school fosters inter-religious acceptance and dialogue by educating to an understanding of and deep respect for the religions of the world.
• 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

(A longing for meaning)
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.

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

Goal III

(A hunger for justice)
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.

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

Goal IV

(An ache to belong)
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value.

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

Goal V

(A desire for equality)
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.

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