Lower School Overview

LOWER SCHOOL

independent all-girls school in New York City. Our community has lived the mission of our foundress St. Madeleine Sophie Barat since 1881 by inspiring generations of students to lead meaningful lives. Today, our vibrant, mission-driven Catholic school empowers each young woman to share her passion and purpose. We celebrate our Sacred Heart heritage and traditions as we strive for higher excellence and pursue a bold vision for our future.

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WELCOME

Sacred Heart is the oldest

MISSION As part of a 200-year tradition of Sacred Heart education and a global network of 41 countries and over 150 schools, 91st Street is committed to a set of principles shared by all Sacred Heart schools. Known as the “Goals and Criteria,” these principles articulate the core components of a Sacred Heart education, and charge our community with a unified educational mission. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that each child possesses unique gifts. Our job is to unearth those gifts, nurture them, and empower each child of the Sacred Heart to share those gifts with the global community.

GOALS

GOAL I A personal and active faith in God

GOAL II A deep respect for intellectual values

GOAL IV The building of community as a Christian value

GOAL III A social awareness which impels to action

GOAL V Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom 1

AT a GLANCE

Founded in 1881

700 students

89% of faculty have advanced degrees

17+ AAIS Tournament Championships in the last 5 years

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6.7:1 student: teacher ratio

#1 all-girls Speech team in New York

60+ student-led clubs and organizations

159 Sacred Heart schools around the world

ACADEMICS The Lower School curriculum is developmentally

CORE CLASSES n Language Arts (Reading

and Writer’s Workshop)

appropriate and challenging at every level.

n Library

It benefits each student by offering an array

n Mathematics

of subject areas and academic enrichment

n Performing Arts

(Music and Creative Drama)

opportunities fostering critical thinking,

n Physical Education

effective communication, ethical judgment,

n Positively Me!

leadership, and global formation. Our small

n Religion

teacher-student ratio facilitates small group and one-on-one learning to allow each child

n Science n Social Studies n Technology

to advance at her own pace and to discover and explore her interests and passions.

n Visual Arts n World Languages

(French or Spanish)

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING Social-emotional learning is an integral component of the Lower School curriculum.

Homeroom and Specialty Teachers, together with support from the Lower School Psychologist, integrate lessons on emotion identification and regulation, coping skills, and social problem-solving. Lessons frequently involve books as a platform for discussion, as well as opportunities for learning and practicing specific skills. Students are taught tools that focus on self-awareness, empathy, and personal responsibility.

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INTELLECT

At Sacred Heart, students join a vibrant learning community that inspires curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Encouraged to become independent learners and creative collaborators, students take intellectual risks, learning from their mistakes. At each level, Goal II inspires them to build their skills of critical analysis, creative thinking, leadership, and ethical discernment.

I love that my teachers are always there for me; they push you to do a lot of things that will help you feel more confident and be a better person.

—Grade 4 Student

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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY At Sacred Heart, science and technology are brought to life by identifying real world problems, generating creative solutions, and building and testing prototypes.

The Makerspace features 3D printers, a university-grade laser cutter, a soldering station, an embroidery and sewing station, and sensors and electronics.

In addition to operational use, students develop computational thinking and digital citizenship skills. They utilize Chromebooks to learn self-regulation strategies for technology use, problem solving, and hands-on approaches to internet safety, touchtyping, and troubleshooting. Beginning in Kindergarten, every family is asked to purchase their student’s Chromebook; families with financial assistance receive the device at a subsidized rate.

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Each Sacred Heart student is valued and respected for who she is. As students grow in self-knowledge and confidence, they learn to value similarities and differences in others—both in school and beyond. Their engagement with Goal IV and the global community inspires them to stand up for what they believe and effect meaningful change.

COMM

UNITY

SPOTLIGHT:

Positively Me!

Positively Me! is a mission-based program of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, leadership, study skills, healthy habits, executive functioning skills, and character development. This program connects to our mission of focusing on the whole child and nurturing each child’s gifts. The goal of the program is to promote self-esteem and the social skills that are foundations for all healthy behavior. In Kindergarten, students practice breathwork techniques, self-soothing skills, and teamwork.

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A DAY in the LIFE ARRIVAL • 8 AM

Free Play..

Reading and Writer’s Workshop

Outdoor Play

Math and Snack

World Language

LUNCH • NOON

Read Aloud

Music

Science

DISMISSAL • 3 PM 3:00–4:30 pm After school for K–4

2:50–5:30 pm Extended Day for Junior K-4 11

FAIT Goal 1 calls us to bring the love of God into the world. Our school community nurtures the spiritual lives of all its members as they explore the values of faith, hope and charity. Our religion curriculum encourages students to strengthen their own spirituality as they learn the Gospel values of love, compassion, and justice through literature, reflection, art projects, and drama activities.

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Diversity, Equity, and Community Life

Service Learning

Rooted in the Goals and Criteria of Sacred

to action, compelling them to

Heart education, Sacred Heart values diversity,

look beyond themselves and to see

equity and inclusion (DEI) as integral parts

Sacred Heart students are educated to a social awareness that impels

their ability to impact and influence the larger world. In the Lower

of educating and empowering young women

School, students are provided with

to lead lives of purpose that integrate faith,

age-appropriate, meaningful oppor-

intellect, social action, community, and

tunities to raise awareness within the Sacred Heart community, as

personal growth in an atmosphere of wise

well as to help others both locally

freedom. In addition to studies of annual

and globally. Service learning

heritage months and cultural holidays, students

opportunities include:

participate in lessons and conversations about

• Terence Cardinal Cooke Nursing Home

identity and diversity so that every child

• All-School Service Days

deepens her understanding and appreciation

• MyFace Wonder Project

for who she is and who her peers are,

• Heifer International

preparing her for meaningful dialogue

• Swim/Walk for our Sacred Heart School in Uganda

about and engagement in justice and action.

Teachers incorporate Learning for Justice anti-bias framework into units of study, read alouds, and interdisciplinary projects. Beyond the classroom, students engage in DEI through workshops, presentations, affinity spaces, and all-school events.

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The people at school are part of your Sacred Heart family.

It reminds me that we’re all part of a big family.

—Grade 1 Student

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As students grow in social awareness, compassion, and character, they discover a deep sense of purpose, drawing upon Goal III and their own unique talents to impact the world. They emerge from the school’s transformative social justice program as leaders passionate about creating meaningful change and confident that they can do so.

SPOTLIGHT:

Herstory

In a culminating interdisciplinary project, aptly named “Herstory,” Grade 4 students conduct an in-depth study of and embody a notable woman in history. This project includes research, writing, art, creative drama, and public speaking. Students develop a wider range of knowledge as well as a deeper appreciation for these incredible women, what they endured, and why their historical legacy or present-day impact is so important. Students also have a greater understanding of activism, and how, even at a young age, each of us has a responsibility to advocate for what we feel is important.

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The Sacred Heart community embodies care for one another. People are so welcoming and happy to lend a helping hand when needed. Being a part of this community has allowed me to continue my love of teaching and learning and to find joy in the everyday moments.”

—Eunice Kim Fourth Grade Teacher

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In line with Goal V, students are continually supported as they grow and learn, celebrate successes, and make mistakes.

As they develop empathy and exercise resilience in meeting challenges, they discern what gives them a sense of meaning, and how to lead change within their communities.

PERSO GROW

ONAL WTH

After School Our Extended Day program is available for all students (JK–4th grade) until 5.30pm daily.

Starting in Kindergarten, students can choose

PROGRAMMING OPTIONS • Chess • Musical Theater • Ballet/Creative Dance

from a variety of After School classes which are offered on a trimester basis. These classes

• Sewing/Crafts • Tennis

are taught by Sacred Heart faculty in conjunc-

• Science Lab

tion with Upper School student volunteers and

• Lego/Robotics Engineering

outside experts. Financial Assistance for both

• Gymnastics

After School classes & the Extended Day

• Scratch Jr. • Irish Dance

program is available.

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Arts The extensive visual and performing arts (both creative drama and music) programs are key components of the Lower School curriculum. Students are offered a wealth of opportunities to grow their knowledge, exercise their imagination, trust their intuition, and grow in patience and self-control. From Pre-K to Grade 4, Lower School students regularly participate in Art, in which they experiment with different mediums and elements; Drama, where imagination and creativity come to life through vocal, physical, and emotional expression; and Music, which emphasizes storytelling through the exploration of pitch, rhythm, melody, and instrumentation.

Aquatics Part of the Physical Education curriculum, Sacred Heart’s robust Aquatics program begins in Pre-Kindergarten when students learn the basics of swimming, floating, and water safety.

In addition to developing specific swimming skills like strokes, flip-turns, and diving, students learn healthy behaviors and attitudes towards competition, teamwork, risktaking, good sportsmanship, and safety.

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“Drama is my favorite class! I love acting and singing and dancing.

I really like being in front of an audience—sometimes I get a little nervous when I’m in a play, but I love it.”

—Grade 2 Student

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Our FACILITIES Buildings 1 and 7 The school is housed in two historic mansions which provide an extraordinary learning environment.

Middle School and Upper School

1 East 91st Street

FutureLab

Lower School 7 East 91st Street

Maker Space #2

On the lower level of our 91st Street buildings, Maker Space #1 our FutureLab brings together the science and technology classrooms for the entire school.

The students can also eat in the cafeteria or use community spaces Life Science to collaborate.

S.T.E.A.M. Labs

Atrium Cafeteria

Lab

Chemistry Labs

Athletics and Wellness Center Completed in 2014, the Athletics and Wellness Center is a state-of-the art, 60,000 square foot facility that allows students of all ages to swim, play sports, work out or dance.

Dance Studio and Training Facilities

Full-size Gymnasium

25 Yard Pool

406 East 91st Street

Convent of the Sacred Heart 1 East 91st Street New York, NY 10128-0689 212.722.4745 www.cshnyc.org

Convent of the Sacred Heart admits students of any race, religion, color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic or other school-administered programs.