This year marks the 175th anniversary for the Sacred Heart School of Halifax. We spoke with Renée Fournier, Marketing and Communications Director at Sacred Heart School of Halifax as she reflects on the school’s growing success after nearly two centuries of operation.
After the establishment of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1800, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat started schools across Europe and North America. To date, there are over 150 Sacred Heart schools across the globe. Sacred Heart School of Halifax was established in 1849 and was located where the Lord Nelson Hotel currently stands, moving to its current location on Spring Garden Road in 1851.
Sacred Heart School of Halifax is a proven force in driving student academic and social achievement. As one of the few schools in the Halifax region to offer an Advanced Placement (AP) Program, students have the opportunity to specialize in subjects of their choosing and interest.
Fournier is quick to point out that student success isn’t measured by academics alone. “Sacred Heart has a unique value proposition based on our mission and Five Goals—Faith, Intellectual Values, Social Action, Community, and Personal Growth. So, while we offer one of the most academically robust experiences in Halifax, we also ensure our students are the best they can be for themselves and for our world.”
The school distinguishes itself through its academic reputation as well as its welcoming atmosphere, attracting new and returning students every year. Sacred Heart’s community even spans multiple generations, says Fournier. Not only have alumnae sent their kids to Sacred Heart, but many alumnae have also gone on to become teachers at the school. “The sense of community that we have instilled in the generations that have been part of our Sacred Heart family is particularly rewarding,” she adds.
The constant growth of the Halifax population has also had a positive effect on the school environment. “We have definitely noticed an increase in the number of families coming to Sacred Heart from outside of Nova Scotia, and it’s fantastic to have such a rich diversity of voices, cultures, and perspectives as a result,” says Fournier.
Fournier reflects on the school’s physical changes, including their most recent renovation in 2019, and how their programs have changed and adapted over the years. “We have moved from a school that served only girls to one that is gender inclusive and from a school just for Catholic students to one that welcomes all faiths,” she says. “We are a school that ensures its pedagogy continually reflects and adapts to our society. What has not changed over all of that time is our dedication to our mission and to providing the best education in Halifax. Halifax can expect that to continue for another 175 years.
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