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BE KNOWN. BE TRANSFORMED. BE INSPIRED.
“OLSH is welcoming and familylike. It’s different because the people here are incredibly supportive and encouraging. You will forge relationships you will never forget, not just with friends, but with teachers, as well.” -Kassidy ‘19
Welcome
What’s one word to describe OLSH? The answer, from students, faculty, parents, and alumni, is most often FAMILY. The focus on Catholic identity and values coupled with administration, faculty, and staff who truly care makes OLSH feel like home. An OLSH education is transformational; students are nurtured as they explore a wide array of academic, spiritual, and extra-curricular opportunities and are guided towards reaching their true potential. As an independent Catholic high school and a sponsored ministry of the Felician Sisters, OLSH can be nimble as we address the needs of our students and families and provide a quality education and fulfill our mission of educating and transforming each student for a life of exceptional Christian leadership, stewardship, and service to all.
AT OLSH, YOU WILL ‌ BE KNOWN as an individual and not just another student in the classroom BE TRANSFORMED into the best version of yourself as you discover your gifts and talents and learn how to share them with the world around you BE INSPIRED by the Felician Sisters and our Core Values, in order to make a difference in the world!
Gain an edge for college and career success The OLSH AP Advantage Program is a unique partnership between OLSH and the University of Notre Dame (ND) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Through the ND Teacher Investment Program, OLSH teachers receive high level training and resources to aid in the teaching of AP courses on our campus. Through JHU’s Center for Talented Youth, OLSH students can select from a wider range of AP course options, with the additional experience of taking an online class. Extensive research has shown that students who take Advanced Placement courses are better prepared for college success. Students also have the opportunity to earn college credits from the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and La Roche College for classes they take at OLSH in a variety of subject areas.
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INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT IN AP COURSES Engage in active learning with dedicated professional educators The OLSH faculty and staff is comprised of dedicated and talented individuals who strive to provide challenging and innovative educational experiences. 68% of the faculty hold a Master’s degree. They consider their work much more than a job. To them, teaching is a fulfillment of the mission of OLSH and of the Felician Sisters. You’ll find teachers at OLSH accessible and encouraging, creating meaningful connections with students inside and outside the classroom.
BE CHALLENGED IN A IDEAL LEARNING EN
AN NVIRONMENT
Learn at a level of rigor that meets your needs as a student Advanced Placement: College-level courses in a variety of subjects; AP exam required to earn college credit Honors College Preparatory: Classes geared toward students with high interest, motivation and ability College Preparatory: Classes that challenge the college-bound student College Preparatory with Support: Classes that challenge the college bound student while providing support for critical thinking and skill development
MEET
Luke S. ‘19
Luke is the third member of his family to attend OLSH; his two older sisters graduated in 2015 and 2017 and his younger brother is a junior. He is one of 16 seniors on the OLSH football team and playing on the team has been one of his favorite OLSH experiences. Luke was one of seven OLSH students named as an AP Scholar by the College Board for his performance on multiple AP exams. In fact, Luke earned a top score of 5 on all three exams he took - AP World History, AP Calculus AB, and AP Physics I. Read more at www.olsh.org/meetOLSH/
“School is school, but OLSH is more.”
A university-modeled writing center utilizes peer tutoring and faculty support The OLSH Writing & Learning Center (OWL) was developed with guidance from Duquesne University and La Roche College to provide academic support to students of all levels. Students (and parents or teachers) can request support from the OWL in any subject area for long or short term personal tutoring during the school day or after school hours. The center is staffed by faculty, local college students, and trained OLSH peer tutors. Students also benefit from writing conferences led by trained peer writing tutors who can support writing assignments across the curriculum, from literary critiques to advanced lab reports.
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Achieve your maximum potential The Advanced Learning and Leadership Initiative (ALLI) Program at OLSH is designed to assist students in becoming competent independent learners who are able to achieve their maximum potential in academic endeavors. The program is aimed at helping each participating student to gain a better understanding of their own personal learning style, and then apply strategies that will aid them in the classroom. The ALLI Program utilizes a team approach to ensure opportunities for academic success. The team includes the student, parents, academic teachers, the ALLI instructor, and school administration. Students enrolled in ALLI meet daily with the ALLI instructor, either individually or in small groups. OLSH personnel also provide additional support in the areas of reading, written expression, and math.
OWL CENTER WRITING CONFERENCES LAST YEAR
RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL
L SUPPORT
Support for all Academic & Social Support Services at OLSH include: Advanced Learning & Leadership Initiative (ALLI) After-School Tutoring Lab Allegheny Intermediate Unit Counselors Athletic Team After-School Study Hours (by team) National Honor Society Tutors OWL Teacher Support Sessions School Counselors (two full-time) Teacher Advisors for each student OLSH supports 504 Plans, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and Growth Plans. Students are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine the extent to which OLSH can support the student.
MEET
Maggie D. ‘19
Maggie came to OLSH from Holy Trinity School. She is active with campus ministry, serving as a lector and cantor at Masses. Maggie is one of many OLSH students who received a scholarship to attend OLSH and she was voted 2018 Homecoming Queen by her peers. Read more at www.olsh.org/meetOLSH/
“I really believe the teachers at OLSH care about us as individuals and they go out of their way to be helpful beyond the classroom. It’s something I’ll always remember and appreciate about my high school experience.”
Experience the Felician Core Values in action The Felician Core Values, including Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, Transformation, Solidarity with the Poor, and Justice & Peace, are ingrained in the culture of OLSH. Students have the opportunity to participate in service days throughout the school year at local organizations, including fellow Felician ministries. The school holds food drives for Our Lady’s Pantry (an on-campus emergency food bank), collects gifts for those in need with the annual Giving Tree, and hosts awareness events like the Box Out for homelessness and Empty Bowl meal for hunger.
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REPORTED SERVICE HOURS Prayer is a central part of each day at OLSH We pray together as a community three times daily. There is morning prayer during announcements, the Angelus or Regina Coeli at noon, and the Glory Be to end the day. The entire school community celebrates Mass together at least once a month in the OLSH Chapel and honors special holidays and feast days with prayer services. Each grade attends morning Mass with the Felician Sisters once a month and the Chapel is always open to students for personal prayer. A highlight each September is the annual Eucharistic Procession, in which the school community gathers for Eucharistic adoration and a procession through campus, culminating with Benediction and prayer at the Statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
CELEBRATE AND LIV
VE YOUR FAITH
Experience the global Church with a World Youth Day Pilgrimage World Youth Day is an international celebration of youth in the Catholic Church. A pilgrimage is held every few years and a group has traveled from OLSH to each World Youth Day since Denver in 1995. In the summer of 2016 OLSH students had the unique experience of not only participating in World Youth Day festivities in Krakow, Poland, but also of interacting with Felician Sisters from Poland and experiencing a first-hand look at the rich heritage of the founders of our school. A group from OLSH will travel to WYD 2019 in Panama.
MEET
Finn S. ‘21
Finn came to OLSH from Assumption School. He is president of the sophomore class, a Student Ambassador, and a member of Character Alliance. He also runs cross country and track for OLSH. Read more at www.olsh.org/meetOLSH/
“I really like how we are presented with so many service opportunities at OLSH. Students can be involved in living out their faith in a lot of different ways.”
Share your gifts and talents Courses are offered in a variety of visual arts like Studio Art, Ceramics, and Digital Photography. Music courses engage beginners to talented performers with options like piano and guitar in addition to the traditional band and choir. Arts opportunities offered during the school day give students an outlet to express themselves creatively. Students share their creativity in the winter and spring with a concert, as well as an art show at the school.
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Additional elective opportunities include computer science and programming courses, history classes that focus on specific times or events, like The Great War, as well as digital media and engineering.
OF STUDENTS INVOLVED IN AT LEAST ONE ACTIVITY OR SPORT
Shine on stage Theatre is a year-round activity at OLSH, with weekly afterschool workshops and major productions in the fall, winter, and spring. In the summer, the theatre department offers a theatre “bootcamp� experience, featuring an additional performance. OLSH has been nominated for 74 Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre over the past 22 years, and has won nine times. During the past years, the OLSH Show Choir has been ranked Superior at the High Notes Music Festival, 12 students have been selected for Pennsylvania Music Education Association Festivals, and the theatre department was invited, and traveled, to Edinburg, Scotland for the American High School Theatre Festival.
EXPLORE YOUR PASS
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Academic competition Speech and Debate (forensics) offers an outstanding extracurricular competition experience, and OLSH has a highly successful team that has qualified to compete on the national level for the past 3 years consecutively. Additional academic competition opportunities include Model United Nations, Hometown High Q, PJAS, and Digital Media Arts Consortium Awards.
MEET
Dom C. ‘19
Dom transferred to OLSH from public school in his sophomore year. He was selected as the inaugural recipient of the John A. Mihaloew Endowed Scholarship last year because of his academic success, creativity, and willingness to think outside the box! He’s also a member of the football team, performs in the spring musical, and serves as a Student Ambassador. Read more at www.olsh.org/meetOLSH/
“At OLSH I have been presented with more opportunities than I would have been given anywhere else.”
Brenna’s schedule Brenna has a packed schedule of challenging classes geared toward her strengths in math and science. After Spanish III and British Literature, she heads to Honors Theology III, an elective for juniors that delves deeply into the Catholic faith. After that, she has a study hall period in which she provides peer learning support as a National Honor Society tutor. One of Brenna’s favorite classes of the day is Physics. Recently, they used a motion monitor to measure the position and velocity of a ball in motion. Brenna spends her lunch with friends, then continues on to AP Calculus AB for her first class of the afternoon. After pausing to pray the Angelus, she heads to her social studies class, World History. Her day concludes with one of her favorite electives, Ceramics. Brenna particularly enjoys spending time at the pottery wheel!
Good morning! Brenna arrives to OLSH each morning by 7:15 am, in plenty of time to catch up with her friends before going to homeroom. She has her driver’s license, and drives herself and her brother, Cameron to school every day. When the homeroom bell rings at 7:39, she and her classmates are ready to watch WCHR, the morning news station run entirely by OLSH students and livestreamed into the classrooms.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN OLSH STUDENT
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After school In the winter, Brenna finds herself staying after school for spring musical rehearsal until about 6:00pm. Last year she was a featured dancer in the ensemble. After saying goodbye to her theatre friends she often heads down to the gym to watch a basketball game and cheer on the Chargers!
MEET
Brenna G. ‘20
Brenna is a junior who participates in a wide array of activities at OLSH, including the spring musical, Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society, the Empty Bowls activity, Prom Committee, Notre Dame Vision, and the OLSH tutoring program. Brenna also teaches dance part-time to younger dancers at her dance studio, and is a member of the St. Lucy’s Auxiliary Junior Medallion program, which promotes a strong sense of volunteerism through leadership of a variety of service projects. She is an alumna of St. James School and lives in the Moon Area school district.
Leadership opportunities There is an array of opportunities for OLSH students to develop leadership skills including: yy Student Government
yy National Honor Society
yy Student Ambassadors
yy Chi Rho retreat leaders yy Captains of a team sport yy Class officers yy OLSH Big Brother/ Big Sister program
Becoming an exceptional Christian leader
STUDENT BODY SERVES IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE
yy GOLD (Girls Overnight Leadership Development) yy Athletes of Faith and Character yy Character Alliance yy Charger Allies
yy ND Vision
yy Flag Squad
yy SADD
yy Writing Tutors
yy Seeds of Hope
OLSH offers students the opportunity to continue to grow in their faith with retreats. Chi Rho, which is led by students, offers an off-campus opportunity to be nurtured in faith and fostered in fun! During the summer, students can attend Seeds of Hope, a Felician youth leadership experience for girls or ND Vision, a workshop at the University of Notre Dame to help them explore their gifts.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Demonstrating transformation OLSH students take a mini-course introducing them to the Felician Core Values in the freshman year. Seniors enroll in a capstone Senior Seminar: Felician Values Fulfilled, an independent study course that culminates with a presentation to a panel of faculty and staff in which each student details their understanding of the core values through community service, a video project, and other activities.
MEET
Susan Vallejo
Susan is an OLSH Board Member and the parent of Alex ‘11, who is working as a software engineer at Microsoft, and Anna ‘17, who is studying early childhood education at the University of Dayton. In addition to serving on the board, Susan has been an active OLSH volunteer and helps to lead the alumni parent group, Staying Connected.
“Both of my children grew in self-confidence and leadership skills at OLSH. The culture of OLSH is now ingrained into their personalities.”
Building Character, Discipline, and Sportsmanship OLSH offers 19 varsity sports for student athletes. 71% of the student body play at least one sport and many students compete during all three seasons. Teams work together to achieve success, and the Chargers frequently end seasons as section champs. Two teams made it to the WPIAL final in the 2017-2018 season, coming in second, and the school has 6 WPIAL team or individual championships. Boys basketball made it to the PIAA Championship game for the first time in school history in 2018. OLSH received the Trib High School Sports Network Cup and recognition as the top athletic program in WPIAL Class 2A last year from the combined efforts and outstanding seasons of each of our sports programs.
OLSH WINS TRIB HSSN CUP FOR CLASS 2A The Charger OLSH’s mascot, the Charger, is a mount or horse for a soldier, commonly a knight, to ride into battle. The Charger had to be strong in order to carry the weight of the armor and other equipment carried by the knight, and be calm, courageous, and well-disciplined. The Charger represents strength and courage, an appropriate symbol and model for our student athletes.
PLAY FOR MORE THA
AN A WIN
Athletics at OLSH yy Baseball yy Boys & Girls Basketball yy 9th Grade Boys Basketball yy Boys & Girls Bowling yy Cheerleading (football & basketball squads) yy Boys & Girls Cross Country yy Football yy Golf yy Hockey (co-op) yy Boys & Girls Soccer yy Softball yy Swimming (co-op) yy Boys & Girls Track & Field yy Boys & Girls Volleyball
MEET
Jake G. ‘20
Jake is a three sport student-athlete, competing on the cross country, basketball, and baseball teams. He was recently selected to participate in a Peer to Peer workshop, Coaching Boys into Men, and has received a scholarship to OLSH. He attended Rhema Christian School and lives in Hopewell. Read more at www.olsh.org/meetOLSH/
“I like how my coaches push me and my teammates to our fullest potential and how they care about us, beyond how we perform in a game.”
Profile of a graduate A graduate of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School will recognize and respond to the need for God in daily life by living out the Felician Core Values as follows: yy Showing respect for all life in all stages yy Showing an awareness of and appreciation for the cultural diversity of the human family yy Living a life of service to others yy Ensuring the needs of the poor and vulnerable are met through advocacy and action yy Contributing responsibly and cooperatively to our diverse, global, and technological society by making decisions based on Christian values and accepting the consequences of those choices yy Living a life of responsible stewardship to the environment yy Effectively communicating the gospel message in Jesus Christ A graduate of OLSH will demonstrate academic success by: yy Being a creative and critical reader, thinker, writer, and communicator who is technologically competent yy Using classroom knowledge to act responsibly as an active citizen yy Engaging in lifelong learning
College and career readiness OLSH’s two school counselors utilize Naviance, a web-based college and career readiness software system, with all students in grades 9-12. This solution helps align student interests and strengths with postsecondary goals to improve outcomes and to connect learning to life. The school counselors also host college information nights to walk parents through the application process, and invite alumni and parents to participate in a career day for students.
PREPARE FOR SUCCES
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Ready for anything OLSH students are well-prepared to pursue higher education studies in the field of their choice. OLSH graduates often write or stop by and share that they were well ahead of their college classmates in English, Math, and other courses because of the instruction they received at OLSH. An increasing number of OLSH students are enrolling in Advanced Placement classes each year, which are proven to give students an advantage in college because of their academic rigor and development of critical thinking. Graduating seniors at OLSH regularly receive over $10 million in scholarship and grant offers to college.
MEET
Emily H. ‘18
Emily, co-valedictorian of the class of 2018, is currently attending the University of Notre Dame, studying applied computational mathematics and statistics. She challenged herself at OLSH by taking 15 AP and honors courses, and as a result she received a significant scholarship, making her dream of attending ND a reality. Emily was an OLSH cheerleader, president of her class and the National Honor Society, and a Student Ambassador.
“I feel OLSH has transformed me. I have become a stronger leader and more confident in myself. OLSH has inspired me to lead in the right way, and I want to inspire others to do the same.”
Experience OLSH in action BE A CHARGER FOR A DAY!
Come and see what high school is really like when you shadow an OLSH student! Students in grades 7 through 11 are invited to participate in this program, which includes attending classes and activities throughout the school day, enjoying lunch in our cafeteria, and getting to know teachers and students! Charger for a Day visits are scheduled on most weekdays between October and April, as available. Visit the Admissions page at www.olsh.org to register.
DISCOVER OLSH
Open Houses are offered in the fall and spring of each academic year. You and your family are invited to take a personalized tour led by an OLSH student, meet the faculty and staff, and learn more about the courses, activities, athletics, and more offered for your student! Additionally, we offer select Discover OLSH Days throughout the school year, where you can drop in on a school day and take a tour that reveals what OLSH is like on a typical day. Visit the Admissions page at www.olsh.org to find the next available admissions events.
Write your own story at OLSH! Unlimited opportunities to write your own story await you at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School! We can’t wait to see the many ways in which you will contribute to the community around you as you become Known, Transformed, and Inspired within the welcoming community that is OLSH.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
1. Apply online at www.olsh.org. Each class as OLSH has a capacity of 100 students, so you are encouraged to apply early! 2. Submit required records (see enclosed Records Request Form). Upon receipt of records, acceptance decisions will be made within 2-4 weeks and notification sent via mail.
BE A CHARGER!
Next steps The OLSH Placement Test, which is used to place incoming students according to their ability in subjects such as English and Math, will be offered in Spring 2019. Merit-based scholarships may be offered to the topperforming students on the exam! Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.
SAVE THE DATE!
Welcome Night for the OLSH Class of 2023 will be Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Students will meet their classmates, sign up for activities, and get a list of courses during this exciting event.
MEET
Jessica Sellman ‘02
OLSH’s Director of Admissions & Enrollment was excited to return to her alma mater and share the story of OLSH with prospective families. As a student, Jessica was involved in theatre, student government, and campus ministry activities and was a three-sport athlete. She received a scholarship to support her enrollment at OLSH, and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Duquesne University.
“OLSH is a special place, and you feel it as soon as you step on campus. OLSH inspires students to do more than expected and give back what is received. I owe so much of what I am today to the family that is OLSH.”
OLSH AT A GLANCE FOUNDED: 1932 LOCATION: 75-acre campus located in Moon Township, PA, 17 miles from downtown Pittsburgh and within the borders of the Moon Area School District. Easily accessible from routes 79, 376, 51, and 65. SPONSORSHIP: OLSH is a ministry of the Felician Sisters, a Catholic Franciscan order originating in Poland
FIRST GRADUATING CLASS: 1935 ACCREDITATION: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS: University of Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, and La Roche College
TOTAL FACULTY: 38 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 11:1 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 15
CURRENT ENROLLMENT: 311 (53% female, 47% male) DIVERSITY: 12% of student body is non-Caucasian INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: SEVIS certified to provide F-1 student visas
TRANSPORTATION: OLSH students are transported to and from school each day in a variety ways, including school district-supplied bus, contracted bus, car pool, parent drivers and student drivers. Contact us for more details about transportation available to your child/ children.
CONTACT US: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School 1504 Woodcrest Avenue Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 264-5140 JESSICA SELLMAN ‘02 Director of Admissions & Enrollment (412) 262-3300 jsellman@olsh.org KELLY PONTIERE Admissions Assistant (412) 424-4615 kpontiere@olsh.org
#OLSHChargers 1504 Woodcrest Avenue • Coraopolis, PA 15108 (412) 264-5140 • (412) 264-4143 www.olsh.org