About Us
We nurture the whole child, mind and heart.
Sacred Heart is both an independent and Catholic elementary school. We benefit from our relationships with the Archdiocese of Chicago and with the Network of Sacred Heart schools; and we are self-governing and free to pursue our own vision and standard of excellence.
We are uniquely positioned to offer the best that single-gender and co-ed environments provide. Our single-gender classrooms allow each student to feel empowered to express themselves, explore their identity, strive, grow, fail and learn in a safe atmosphere that fosters confidence. Many co-educational opportunities help students continue to grow in building relationships, collaboration, and skills to help them thrive in the world.
As a Catholic school for children of all faiths, we welcome and celebrate our religious diversity.
MISSION STATEMENT
Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road - the Academy of the Sacred Heart for Girls (founded in 1876) and Hardey Preparatory for Boys (founded in 1935) - are independent, Catholic, single-sex elementary schools committed to academic excellence within the context of a Christian community. Sacred Heart welcomes students of all races, religious beliefs and socio-economic backgrounds. This educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located on every major continent, including 25 schools in the United States and Canada.
MISSION AND GOALS
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat considered the service of education as the primary means by which the Society would carry on its mission of communicating the love of the Heart of Jesus. For her, education was never the end. The end was to make God’s love known and to rebuild the fractured world in hope; the means was forming young people to intelligent faith, compassionate action and courageous hope. St. Madeleine Sophie and the RSCJs that came after her believed that an exemplary education must expand both the mind and heart. Today's Sacred Heart is committed to carrying this legacy forward.
The essence of this educational vision and tradition is articulated in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States and Canada. As a Sacred Heart school, the Goals and Criteria - where we educate our students to faith, learning, service, community, and growth - are the backbone of who we are. We truly educate the whole child - their minds and hearts.
At Sacred Heart, every child is known and loved. It is this great work to which we educate. I invite you to walk through our doors and feel the energy, spirit and tradition of Sacred Heart. You will quickly understand why a young person’s journey of the heart and mind here at Sacred Heart Schools is so profound. Ours is an education that prepares students for all that the future needs and holds, and it is a place that will quickly feel like home.
Meg Steele, Head of Schools Read the full Head of Schools Welcome letter
