September 24, 2019 HEART to HEART Conversations with members of the Sacred Heart community
Each month, we feature members of the Sacred Heart community in our newsletter. These profiles provide a sampling of what our community has to say about their experiences at Sacred Heart Schools. We hope you enjoy the series! Photo credit: Steven E. Gross Our series returns this month with Stephanie Nash Hart, who lives in Winnetka with her husband, Paul, and their six children, Willa (A'12), George (H'14), Owen (H'17), Agnes (A'19), Catherine (A'19), and their youngest son, Eamonn, who just started Hardey 3. Stephanie and Paul were introduced to Sacred Heart through a family member who had previously taught at the school. While they were very happy at their current school and had no plans to leave, their path changed when they visited Sacred Heart in 2002. During their tour, they were immediately struck by the skill of the teachers and administration. They also had the opportunity to sit down with Sr. Susan Maxwell, RSCJ, the Head of Schools at the time. Listening to Sr. Maxwell speak passionately about the five Goals and the long-term vision of the school made Stephanie and Paul realize that there was no other choice for them. Here, Stephanie shares why a Sacred Heart education was the right choice for her family, how driving their children to Sheridan Road from Winnetka has been a privilege, and how a caring community makes all the difference.
On choosing Sacred Heart: While our eldest daughter, Willa, was in preschool, we spent some time interviewing and touring several schools in Chicago. They were all impressive but nothing like Sacred Heart. I remember so vividly walking into Sacred Heart for Willa's kindergarten admissions interview and feeling the incredible energy and tradition of this place. As we walked the halls, we saw teachers with energy and an administration with vision. We saw a team of educators that were together on one page, dedicated not only to academics and community, but also to developing a spirit of kindness and thoughtfulness in each child. We saw students with joy-filled and confident faces. Sacred Heart captured our hearts and minds immediately. The community and students we encountered on our tour all spoke to us in a unique way. It simply felt right. In the fall of 2003, Willa started kindergarten.
On commuting from Chicago's North Shore: Paul and I say that one of our greatest achievements as parents was and is to provide our children with a Sacred Heart education. We lived in Evanston when we enrolled and later moved to Winnetka. Paul and I were both busy running young companies, and we decided to build the commute and logistics into our days. It still works beautifully. Our older children, now in high school and college, have asked us how it was that we were able to drive them to Sacred Heart each morning and pick them up every afternoon, day after day, year after year, with a smile on our faces (most days)—when they could have easily gone to school a few minutes from home. I remind them that it was a privilege for us to watch each of them walk through the Rosemont gate every morning. The logistics of living in Winnetka and attending school in Chicago are not uncomplicated but make sense for our family. We have made the commitment because we so highly value Sacred Heart education and have made it a significant priority for us. With this decision, there are certainly some sacrifices, but the experience we've had at Sacred Heart far outweighs them.
On children being valued: I would describe our children's experiences at Sacred Heart as ones where each day they felt supported and loved. They were cherished and nurtured given their own unique talents and gifts. Their voices were heard, and their opinions were appreciated. It is clear that they were continuously challenged and pushed to be their best, whether in academics, friendships, or in showing kindness and compassion to others. Each child is given the tools to engage in wise freedom—to explore and become strong young people in a competitive and challenging world. Sacred Heart students are taught that growing as an individual is just as important as studying and learning; they are taught to be dedicated students and good people at the same time.
On an independent school: We highly value Sacred Heart's faith-based education built within an independent school model. At Sacred Heart, each child is applauded for their own gifts, and no student is made to feel they need to fit into a particular mold. Differences are valued and students learn to respect these gifts in themselves and in their peers. The academics are serious, and the classroom energy gives joy to learning.
On a home away from home: Sacred Heart has truly been a second home for our children. As "Life at the Sacred Heart" says, "Wherever you go, whatever road you may travel, you will always find a home at the Sacred Heart." Since 2003, this has always rung true for us. Paul and I feel incredibly blessed that our family has been a part of this community for 16 years, and we will cherish our remaining six years. We will savor each and every commute, Meet the Teacher Day, Halloween Parade, Christmas Mass, Hot Dog Lunch, Congé, Prize Day, Graduation, and Angel Brunch—every minute of our years left on Sheridan Road until Eamonn graduates in 2025.
On a remarkable, compassionate community: We will never forget how Sacred Heart dealt with the struggle of one of our children's serious health issues. There are no words to describe the impact of the understanding and love, as well as the help and guidance shown by the teachers, staff and administration. You just don't see that everywhere.
On treasured traditions: Sacred Heart has a skillful way of balancing each day, giving students traditions to look forward to throughout the school year. These traditions—a pink donut goûter, the 3rd grade Wax Museum, Congé, Hot Dog Lunch, and Washington DC, just to name a few of many—make each school year exciting and unique. In the classroom, the rigorous but still approachable curriculum prepares each student for their academic lives after 8th grade. But within the school day, there are also so many smiling moments woven in. As a parent, you want your children to love learning. Sacred Heart's traditions make it easy for the child to be joyful in the day-to-day routine and be excited for the years they have ahead at Sheridan Road.
On the five Goals: Sacred Heart fosters this innate ability to show respect, acceptance, and concern for others, always reaching out and giving of themselves to those who are less fortunate or in need of a friend. I attribute these gifts in our children to the values and guiding principles which Sacred Heart instills in its students from day one. To our family, the Goals and Criteria feel like the core at Sacred Heart, and we are so glad to have found a place that prioritizes these values that continue to be so relevant today.
Final words for prospective parents: What is most remarkable is that after 16 years, we know that this school delivers on what it promises and exceeded our expectations. Off to a great start for the 2019-20 school year On September 4, Sacred Heart welcomed returning students and 147 new students from preschool through 8th grade, as well as their families, into our community. This brings our student enrollment to 718, the largest in our 143 year history! We can't wait to see what's in store for the 2019-20 school year. Check out our first day of school photos here.
Preschool dedicated on August 29 Our Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road dedicated its first preschool on August 29, welcoming more than 125 guests to the celebration. Attending the dedication were parents of new preschool students, members of Sacred Heart's Board of Trustees, former Board members, current and former faculty, staff, and friends of Sacred Heart. The preschool campus is located at Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, just a few blocks south of the SK-8 campus. Our youngest group of learners—35 pre-kindergarten and junior kindergarten students have joyfully settled into their new space! Click here to see photos from the preschool dedication. The new admissions season is officially underway!
We are now accepting applications for:
To apply for admission, please submit your application online via Ravenna. Once you have submitted your application, be sure to also schedule your admissions appointments through Ravenna.
If you need assistance with the application or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Admissions Office at 773.681.8418 or admissions@shschicago.org.
All applications are due by December 9, 2019.
Join us for an Admissions Coffee Please join us for an Admissions Coffee on our SK-grade 8 campus to learn about our school, community, and academic programs. In addition to meeting our leadership team and current parents, our 8th grade tour guides can't wait to show you around campus and introduce you to our students and teachers!
Our first Admissions Coffee is on Friday, October 11 from 9:15-11:15 am.
For a complete list of Admissions Coffee dates, click here.
Tour our Preschool Campus Tours of our preschool campus provide an opportunity to learn more about our early childhood program for 3- and 4-year olds. Explore classrooms, meet our Preschool Director, and ask questions of our Admissions Team.
Tours of our Preschool Campus are available throughout the school year on select days at 9:15 am and 5 pm. Click here to see a list of tour dates.
How to register To register for an Admissions Coffee or preschool tour, please contact the Admissions team at 773.681.8418 or admissions@shschicago.org. You may also register online here. We look forward to meeting you! Upcoming Admissions Coffees Friday, October 11, 9:15 am Wednesday, October 23, 9:15 am
Upcoming Preschool Tours Thursday, October 24, 5 pm Friday, October 25, 9:15 am
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Your child is our mission. Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent PK-8
6250 N. Sheridan Road |