The Sacred Heart School of Montreal is a private Catholic all-girls high school located in the heart of the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is a member of the worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools. Like all Sacred Heart schools around the world, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal is committed to the legacy of its foundress, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. The school’s mission is to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of each student in a supportive and caring environment.
“At The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, we believe that girls possess incredible potential and are capable of achieving remarkable things,” shares Ms. Patricia Briand, Head of School. “Since the inauguration in 1861, we have been dedicated to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can flourish academically, grow personally, and develop the skills necessary to navigate an ever-changing world.”
Foundation History
From its inception, the Society of the Sacred Heart opened its doors to any girl, regardless of circumstance, who desired a Sacred Heart education. Moreover, unlike most advocates of girls’ education in the early nineteenth century, Sophie did not see her mission solely in terms of preparing young women either to be good wives and mothers or to enter a religious congregation. Her schools were rooted in a much broader vision: to deliver an education that would inspire young women to be agents of social transformation in their own times. Today, the Sacred Heart School prides itself on its commitment to social justice and empowering young women to embrace their potential and shape a brighter future.
Five Guiding Principles
At The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, there are five key goals that shape the curriculum, extracurricular activities, and the overall culture of the school. The educational philosophy is deeply rooted in the principles set by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Society of the Sacred Heart, aiming to provide a holistic education that addresses the intellectual, spiritual, social, and personal dimensions of each student’s life. The following mentioned goals serve as a compass, directing the school’s mission to form individuals who are not only academically competent but also morally responsible and socially aware.
- Educate to a Personal and Active Faith. This goal emphasizes the importance of fostering a personal and active faith in each student. It guides the school in providing opportunities for spiritual development, encouraging prayer and reflection, and promoting a deep connection to one’s faith.
- Educate to a Deep Respect for Intellectual Values. The goal underscores the commitment to academic excellence and the development of intellectual values. It guides the school in creating a challenging and supportive academic environment, encouraging critical thinking, curiosity, and a love for learning.
- Educate to a Social Awareness which Impels to Action. This goal focuses on instilling a sense of social responsibility and awareness in students. It guides the school in promoting a deep understanding of social issues, encouraging empathy, and inspiring students to take action for positive change in their communities and the world.
- Educate on the Building of Community as a Christian Value. The goal emphasizes the importance of community building and the development of a supportive and inclusive school community. It guides the school in fostering a sense of belonging, mutual respect, and collaboration among students, faculty, and staff.
- Educate to Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom. This goal highlights the importance of personal development within a framework of responsible freedom. It guides the school in creating an environment that nurtures individual growth, self-discipline, and the freedom to explore one’s unique talents and interests.
Continued Commitment to Educational Excellence
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal’s commitment to educational excellence can be demonstrated through various projects and goals that focus on enhancing student learning, fostering a positive learning environment, and promoting continuous improvement. The Leadership Team encourages and supports teachers in adopting innovative and effective teaching methods, such as project-based learning, experiential learning, and technology integration. It provides professional development opportunities for educators to stay current with best practices in teaching and learning.
Ms. Patricia Briand, Head of the School, while commenting on the school’s commitment to educational excellence, shares, “Through innovative teaching methods and personalized attention, we foster a love for learning and equip our students with the tools they need to excel in college, careers, and beyond.”
Likewise, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal continually invests in technology infrastructure and resources to enhance the learning experience, including providing access to educational software, online resources, and interactive learning tools. Its commitment to improvement of its infrastructure to optimize the educational landscape can be demonstrated by the recent opening of a state-of-the-art Auditorium in 2020 and the Julia Cianci Wellness Centre in 2022.
Embracing Inclusivity
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal embraces inclusivity and opens its doors to girls from diverse backgrounds. With the aim of achieving this goal, the school has financial assistance programs in place to ensure that girls from various socioeconomic backgrounds can access quality education. At regular intervals, the school also organizes events, workshops, and activities that promote cultural awareness and foster a sense of belonging for all students.
Likewise, students are encouraged to cultivate virtues such as kindness, empathy, and respect for others. This focus on character development contributes to a positive and welcoming school culture where girls feel accepted for who they are. The school also implements programs to support students with diverse learning needs, providing resources, accommodations, and individualized support to ensure that each girl has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally.
Striking a Balance Between Traditions & Modernity
The balance between tradition and modernity in Sacred Heart education has been achieved through the thoughtful integration of innovative practices while preserving the core values and principles that have defined the educational mission since its inception. This dynamic equilibrium ensures that the school remains relevant and effective in preparing students for the complexities of the contemporary world.
Some of the ways in which this balance is achieved include keeping the foundational values constant, incorporating innovative teaching methods, maintaining a flexible curriculum design, providing professional development for educators, emphasizing global and interconnected perspectives of the broader world, creating an inclusive community, responsiveness to evolving needs of students and society, and celebrating important milestones and traditions.
Implementing Unique Educational Approaches & Programs to Empower Young Women
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has employed multiple unique educational approaches and programs to empower young women. The leadership development program involves leadership training, mentorship programs, and opportunities for girls to take on leadership roles within the school community. To empower young women in fields traditionally underrepresented by women, the school offers three levels of Mathematics along with its Science stream, which includes Honours Biology. Through this initiative, the school aims to foster interest and proficiency in STEM subjects through its curriculum and extracurricular activities.
Furthermore, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal emphasizes a global perspective and a commitment to social responsibility by conducting programs involving international exchange, global awareness, and service-learning projects to provide opportunities for young women to broaden their horizons and develop a sense of social consciousness. The school also offers a special course that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, thereby providing young women with the skills and mindset needed to navigate the dynamic and entrepreneurial aspects of the modern world.
Apart from these, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has developed programs focused on holistic wellness, which include mindfulness practices, stress management workshops, and programs that promote a healthy work-life balance. The school has also established programs in fine arts, music, and drama, offering young women opportunities to explore and express themselves in various forms. The Sacred Heart School of Montreal also prioritizes creating inclusive environments through programs aimed at empowering young women by fostering a sense of belonging and celebrating the richness of diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
Instilling the Value & Importance of Community Service in Students
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal fosters an environment that encourages students to become agents of social change through numerous strategies. Here, the service-learning program is integrated with academic study, allowing students to apply classroom learning to real-world issues as demonstrated by the grade 10 participation in Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), an inclusive, multi-award-winning approach to grant-making that grows compassionate communities by connecting high school students to social issues, local charities, and philanthropy at a pivotal stage in their adolescence. Another instance is supporting St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation’s Girls for the Cure since its inception. The Sacred Heart School of Montreal’s students participate in the annual walk and raise funds for women-related cancer research and treatments. Sacred Heart education often includes a focus on social justice by incorporating social justice themes into the curriculum, providing students with a deeper understanding of systemic issues, inequality, and advocacy. This education empowers students to critically analyze societal challenges and motivates them to work toward positive change.
Similarly, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has established partnerships with community groups and NGOs to provide students with firsthand experiences addressing social issues and contributing to community development. Students in grade 10 must do a minimum of 40 hours of community service work, and those in Grade 12 must complete 10 hours. In addition to required Community Service hours, all students participate in an annual Community Service Day. This event was launched in 2011 at the initiative of Sarah Murphy, Class of 2012. The entire day is dedicated to volunteering at various local organizations.
Additionally, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal supports and facilitates student-led projects and clubs focused on specific social issues, allowing students to identify problems, propose solutions, and implement meaningful changes within the school or community. The Sacred Heart School of Montreal also commits itself to educating social awareness, which impels action. This includes working to eradicate practices that perpetuate racism and other injustices, practicing stewardship of the Earth’s resources, promoting civic responsibility, and developing in students a lifelong commitment to service.
Alumni Success Stories & Alumni Network
Over the years, Sacred Heart has produced many successful alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields. These success stories often showcase the diversity of paths that graduates can take, inspiring current students and highlighting that the school is a place where girls from different backgrounds can achieve their goals. Some of the notable alumni of The Sacred Heart School of Montreal include Senator Therese Casgrain, Michèle Thibodeau-Deguire, Sylvia Martin La Forge, Harriet Stairs, C.M., Alberta Cefis, Jennifer Finnigan, Meaghan Rath to name a few.
With the desire to keep in touch with the former students, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has a vibrant alumnae network. The Alumnae Association meets monthly, and the President of the Alumnae Association sits on the Board of Directors. She works closely with the Alumnae Relations Coordinator in planning events, Homecoming and sending out “Heart Beat”, the bi-annual newsletter.
Nurturing Strong Partnerships
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has built many partnerships that align with and support the school’s values, such as The Montreal St. Patrick’s Foundation, the St. Patrick’s Society, and United Irish Societies, as demonstrated by its participation in the Montreal St. Patrick Parade. The school also supports the Youth Ministry of the Archdiocese of Montreal, N.D.G. food depot, Bread and Beyond (serving food to shelters), and shelters such as Resilience Montreal, Chez Doris, and Welcome Hall Mission, amongst many others.
Staying Relevant & Effective in Today’s Evolving World
The Sacred Heart School of Montreal has adopted various ways in its educational mission to stay relevant and effective to the demands of the ever-changing world. The school updates and revises its curriculum to align with the current educational standards, incorporate new technologies, and address emerging topics or trends. It also embraces technology in education, such as incorporating digital tools, online resources, and interactive learning platforms that enhance the learning experience and prepare students for a tech-driven world.
Moreover, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal provides ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers to ensure that they stay informed about the latest educational practices, teaching methodologies, and advancements in their subject areas. The school also recognizes the importance of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication and may integrate these skills into their teaching methodologies and extracurricular activities. The school also addresses the holistic development of students by providing wellness programs, counseling services, and resources to support students’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Vision for Tomorrow
For over 160 years, Sacred Heart has been shaping the paths of young women, infusing them with unwavering confidence and igniting the flames of leadership within their hearts. Going forward, The Sacred Heart School of Montreal is committed to continue its mission of offering educational excellence and boundless opportunities.
For More Info: https://www.sacredheart.qc.ca/