SHADistinction
Sacred Heart Academy provides a holistic, Catholic educational experience that is unmatched in Louisville. The combination of academic opportunities available to students, faith formation, leadership development, career exploration, national and global travel, academic and social-emotional support, athletics and arts, sisterhood, and community is truly and exceptionally unique. And it's all here on the beautiful 48-acre Ursuline campus.
BEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY
BEST ALL-GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY
Excellence in All-Girls Education for Nearly 150 Years
Mission-driven and built on the teachings of St. Angela Merici and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, SHA has paved the way for all-girls education for generations. As a Catholic school, we are committed to forming compassionate, moral citizens who serve others. The Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community are fundamental to everything we say and do. Our compassionate culture empowers students to navigate their world confidently, understanding their intrinsic value as children of God.
Curriculum, the Global Gold Standard
As an internationally recognized best practice in education, being an IB school positions SHA at the forefront of educational innovation. It ensures that our teachers are continually learning and our students are developing the skills necessary for success. Our students master core content, which serves as the foundation for any college preparatory school. Additionally, they learn and cultivate 21st-century skills and character traits essential for thriving in our everchanging world.
Guide on the Side, not Sage on the Stage
Sacred Heart teachers do not stand in front of the classroom and impart information for students to memorize and repeat on a test.
• They guide students through engaging, concept-based learning that fosters experimentation.
• They teach them how to research and analyze information and apply their learning across different subjects and real-world situations.
• They equip students with the necessary tools to become resilient, lifelong learners.
Unparalleled College Credit Course Options
SHA offers a mix of 56 IB, AP, and dual-credit courses. This broad range of options provides numerous benefits beyond the obvious opportunity to earn college credit. Taking college-level courses in high school prepares our students for the academic rigor of college and shows college admissions teams that our students will be successful in their institutions. Our alumnae consistently matriculate to more colleges and universities, earn more scholarships than other Catholic high schools in the area, and report that they are more prepared than their peers once they get there.
The Jean Frazier Leadership Institute
The First and Only of its
Kind
Unique in Louisville, the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute equips every student across Sacred Heart Schools with the tools to rise as a leader. Leadership development is woven into three layers: embedded opportunities built into every student’s curriculum, opt-in opportunities for those who want to pursue their unique interests, and capstone opportunities that allow students to synthesize and showcase their leadership growth.
Over 40% of the Class of 2026 will complete the Frazier Fellows leadership certificate program, the signature capstone experience at Sacred Heart Academy where students complete every program offered within JFLI. This 2-year program develops students through guided curriculum, exclusive networking events, a self-chosen leadership experience, and a final capstone presentation.
Nearly 40% of the Class of 2026 will graduate having completed an internship for academic credit through the Charles Kane Family Internship Program, exploring a career path, and developing indemand skills in a professional setting. Each internship is individualized to meet the intern’s and the worksite’s objectives and can be completed over the summer, fall, or spring semesters.
LEAD LEARN
pathways
This flexible and individualized framework provides the opportunity for college credit, career-related skill development, and documentation on the high school transcript. It includes a career immersion program and internship opportunities through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute. Pathways include medical science, engineering, global business, and public policy.
Supportive SHA Sisterhood & Student Experience
The bonds of sisterhood that form in our all-girls environment are genuine and long-lasting. We are committed to providing a positive, well-rounded student experience and assisting every Valkyrie in finding her people, place, voice, and home. Our students are consistently told they are unconditionally loved, more than enough, resilient, and strong leaders and that they can change the world around them. SHA’s Dean of Student Life, Campus Minister, Service Coordinator, and Club Moderators ensure there are multiple activities and avenues to get every student involved and work to foster a strong sense of belonging for all Valkyries.
Student-focused Block Schedule
SHA's block schedule is unique in that it consists of four blocks each day and a daily 45-minute TEAM period dedicated to study hall, teacher meetings, makeup work, group study, assemblies, and more. This structure allows SHA students to get support from teachers and complete work during the school day. It ensures that assemblies, speakers, pep rallies, and workshops do not take away from any class instructional time because they are scheduled during the TEAM period. While many schools have seven periods, SHA’s eight also provide more opportunities for electives, college/career pathway interests, and internships.
SAMPLE SHA Freshman SCHEDULE
or Advanced
TEAM block = a dedicated part of the school day focused on student growth and support. TEAM is designed to help students feel more connected, supported, and prepared—spiritually, academically, and personally. TEAM is a time for student support, pep rallies, school assemblies, speakers and Mass.
Ursuline Innovation STEM Center
The new Ursuline Innovation STEM Center at Sacred Heart is a place where science, technology, engineering, and math come to life!
The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is a 6,000 square-foot, cutting-edge facility – the first of its kind in the region – featuring the Ursuline Environmental Education Program, Ann Cowley Wells ‘60, ‘64 BSEE Design Lab, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse, Teri Tafel ’72 and Keith Cullinan Environmental Classroom, and a Heartwood outdoor classroom. Students can explore amazing technologies such as 3D printers, robotics kits, laser cutting machines, and hydroponics systems, as well as dive into hands-on learning in engineering, environmental science, and sustainability.
New Dining Hall, Commons & Student Activities Hub
Coming Soon! NewThisFall!
SHA is buzzing with excitement about our future plans! We are proud to share SHA’s transformation for the future including a new, state-of-the-art dining space, outdoor patio, student-run coffee shop and café, welcoming entrance and conference center, and Student Life Hub with modern collaboration spaces – all designed to inspire teamwork, connection, and SHA sisterhood! We intend to begin construction in the summer or fall of 2026.
NATIONALLY-RANKED ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Home to Nearly 65% of the Student Body
SHA is proud to be recognized as the 35th Best High School for Athletics in America (out of 21,469 high schools) according to Niche's 2026 rankings, with 115 team state titles overall and nearly 300 individual state titles. With 63% of our student body involved in formal athletics through 16 sports and intramural opportunities like Pickleball, there is a home for every student in our athletic program. Our athletes succeed in the classroom as well, boasting a 3.74 GPA. SHA ensures they receive academic and athletic support from our student support team, caring teachers, and dedicated athletic coaches and trainers.
Performing Arts and Visual Arts programs
We sometimes refer to the performing arts program as our fourth no-cut sport. With three robust choirs (freshmen, A Capella, and Madrigals) and two full-scale musicals each year, with opportunities for acting, stage support, lighting, set-building, and more, there is a place for everyone to be involved. Our choir also travels internationally to places like Italy and Ireland! SHA's visual arts program boasts an entire wing of the school dedicated to every medium of visual arts. SHA consistently has numerous art students accepted to the Governor's School for the Arts and those who win Scholastic Regional and National Art awards.
BROWN '83 ENDOWED
GLOBAL HEARTS TRAVEL PROGRAM
SHA's Global Hearts international student travel program is guided by three pillars: Global Service and Advocacy, Education and Leadership, and Ursuline Heritage. The program offers these life-changing travel experiences for Sacred Heart’s students who may not have access to this invaluable educational experience due to financial needs. Trips planned for 20252026 include a service trip to Belize with Hand in Hand Ministries as well as trips to Geneva, Amsterdam and The Hague, The British Isles, and Spain’s El Camino.
Unique Campus Community
The 48-acre Ursuline Campus is home to all student-focused facilities, including academics, athletics, and arts. The Ursuline Arts Center is a 500-seat professional performance venue, and Sacred Heart School for the Arts provides opportunities for dance, piano, guitar, and yoga & barre electives. Our athletics facilities boast on-campus turf and grass fields, five tennis courts, an 8-lane track, a softball field, two gyms, a weight room, and an athletic training room. We also have volunteer and enrichment opportunities at both Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Preschool. It's simply all here.
