Why Choose SHA

Why Choose SHA

Sacred Heart Academy is well recognized across the country as a college-preparatory, all-girls high school that prides itself on challenging students in an academically rigorous, yet supportive environment. Take a look at one of the many ways SHA helps colleges and universities to understand and appreciate the Sacred Heart Academy experience.

Sacred Heart Academy is a four-year college preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. Each year over 200 students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds are admitted. Sacred Heart is staffed by a highly qualified and experienced religious and lay faculty. There are extensive offerings in each academic discipline, providing a genuine opportunity for students to specialize in the Arts, Humanities, Science, Mathematics, Computer Science and World Languages, reflecting our STEAM and STELLAR curriculum.

Administration

Kristin Lynch Graham, President Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D., Principal Mrs. Emanuela Sullivan, Assistant Principal-Student Life Mrs. Gina Christel, Assistant Principal of Academics Enrollment: 877

Curriculum: College Preparatory, Quarter/ Semester Scheduling,with NYS Regents, Honors, AP and College Credit courses Student–Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Accreditations

• Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

• Chartered by New York State Board of Regents

• Nationally Recognized School of Excellence

Admissions Process

• Acceptance is based on scores achieved on the CHSEE or TACHS exams; Sacred Heart Academy must be listed as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice.

• Consideration for academic scholarships is given to the top students on these exams who put Sacred Heart as their 1st choice.

• Copies of academic records from 7th grade, and the first report card for 8th grade should be mailed to the attention of Ms. Mary White by mid-December.

• Without exception, proof of immunization is required at registration.

SHAdowing

Middle school students are welcome to spend the day at Sacred Heart Academy accompanying a first-year student or sophomore. Eighth graders may visit September–January, and seventh graders February–March. To make an appointment, call (516) 483-7383 ext. 0 or visit: www.sacredheartacademyli.org/SHAdowing/

Rank in Class

Since our students are best evaluated through a review of their individual academic and personal accomplishments, Sacred Heart Academy does not use a ranking system.

Language Placement

Italian, French and Spanish are offered with a senior elective in Foreign Film Studies. Incoming first-year students wishing to continue at Level 2 of the language they are currently taking are required to have a minimum 5 hours seat time per week and are asked to take the NYS FLACS (Checkpoint A) exam in June at their district.

Science Research Program

Conducted within a state-of-the-art science research center, this program is directed to students who have a keen interest in science, pursuing excellence and progressing into areas of original research. Students are highly motivated and are able to work independently. Students interested in the Science Research Program at SHA are required to sit for a Science Research Exam.

Guidance Counseling

Every student is assigned a full-time school counselor who will be with her for four years. Guidance Counselors are available to discuss academic progress, social, family and personal issues as well as conduct small groups to address academic and personal growth topics.

Personal Attention

Small class sizes guarantee extensive personal attention to each student. Each academic discipline has a department center where enrichment materials are available and where students have the opportunity to work collaboratively. Our dedicated faculty freely offers time to help students before and after school.

Starting with first-year students, each class is guided by a Dean of Students who will remain with the class for all four years.

Honors Program

Honors level course are offered in most subjects. Incoming first-year students may qualify for honors courses in English, Social Studies and Living Environment according to their scores on the 8th grade CHSEE or TACHS exams. All students have the opportunity to be placed in any honors class when they achieve the required grade and teacher recommendation from sophomore year on. Honors classes receive a 1.1 grade factor at the end of the school year which is computed into the final average.

Advanced Placement Program

National Honor Society Membership

Membership in the National Honor Society Regina Cordium Chapter is awarded to juniors and seniors based upon excellence, scholarship, leadership, service and character. Additional criteria can be found in the SHA handbook.

Community Service

Students also fulfill a requirement to give at least 20 hours of community service each year with many far exceeding this minimum. This reflects a commitment not only to the values of Sacred Heart but also the values of good citizenship in religious and secular society.

SHA Diploma Requirements with Regents Endorsement for Incoming First-Year Students

Credits

Most AP students score above the national average, with a number of students designated as AP Scholar. AP courses receive a 1.1 grade factor at the end of the school year which is computed into the final average.

Honor Rolls

Principal’s List: Average of 95-100%, no final grade in a major subject below 90%.

First Honors: Average of 90-94%, no final grade in a major subject below 85%.

Second Honors: Average of 85-89%, no final grade in a major subject below 75%.

All students receive the New York State Regents Diploma with most receiving the Advanced Designation Diploma and more than a third receiving the Advanced Designation with Honor Diplomas.

To receive a Sacred Heart Academy Diploma, students must earn 30 credits from courses taken at Sacred Heart Academy.

A: 90–100, B+: 85–89, B: 80–84, C+: 75–79, C: 70–74, D: 65–69, F: Below 65

Transportation

Individual districts provide bus service; some do not provide a late bus. Queen’s students are issued Metrocards for travel.

Students out of district bus zones are offered LIRR discounted travel tickets. Sacred Heart Academy has partnered with Parents’ Choice Bus Company to provide transportation to and from the Rockaway Peninsula to Sacred Heart Academy.

Tuition & Fees

$13,300: Tuition (Payable quarterly or in 10 monthly payments as per contract)

School Fees (non-refundable)

$250: Registration Fee

$125: Physical Education Uniform Fee

$150: Chromebook Installment (for Classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026)

$300: Athletic Fee* (Only for students who are selected to be on an athletic team)

*Each athlete will be required to submit a $300 athletic fee for each sport—each season, once they are selected for a team. This fee covers coaches’ stipend, transportation costs, referee fees, league fees, etc.

Sacred Heart Academy uses FACTS for online tuition payment.

*Regents Exam is required.

**A 4th year of Second Language is strongly encouraged

first-year sophomore year junior year senior year

Theology 9

English

• Literary Genre 9

• Literary Genre 9H

Mathematics

• Algebra

• Geometry** Science

• Living Environment R/H

• AP Environmental Sci 9

Social Studies

• Global Hist & Geo

• AP World History I

World Languages*

• French

• Spanish

• Italian

The Arts

• Studio Art 1

• General Music

• Chorus I

• Concert Band I

• Orchestra I

Computer Discoveries 9 Intro to Research 9 Physical Education Dance

Theology 10

• Quest for Peace English

• American Lit 10

• American Lit 10H

Mathematics

• Geometry R/H

• Algebra 2/Trig R/H Science

• Chemistry R/H

Social Studies

• Global Hist & Geo

• AP World History II

World Languages

• French

• Spanish

• Italian

The Arts

• Studio Art 2

• Music Theory I

• Chorus II

• Concert Band II

• Orchestra II

Health 10

AP Seminar 10 Physical Education Dance

*World Language Level II Placement; First-year must have passed Level 1 Language course and FLACS (Checkpoint A) exam, satisfied NYS seat time of 5 times a week for 45 minutes, received (1) NYS credit for Level 1.

**Geometry (9) may be taken only if student has taken a regents Algebra course in 8th grade, has a 70% average and 70% on the Algebra regents in June and take a SHA Placement exam in May 2022.

Allied Health

• Bioethics, Anatomy and Physics, AP Psychology, Statistics

Theology 11 English

• British Lit 11

• British Lit 11H

• Public Speaking Mathematics

• Algebra 2/Trig R/H

• Pre-Calc R/H Science

• AP Bio/Chem/Phys.

• Forensics & Toxicology

Social Studies

• US History II

• AP US History

World Languages

• French

• Spanish

• Italian

The Arts

• Studio Art 3H

• Music Theory IIH

• Chorus II

• Concert Band II

• Orchestra II

Art Electives

• Graphic Design 1

• Digital Photo 1/2

• Fashion Design

• Drawing & Painting

Computer Coding 11/11H AP Research 11 Physical Education Dance

Theology 12

English

• Gender Studies

• AP Literature

• Hitchcock Studies

• Literary Topics Mathematics

• Advanced Algebra

• Pre-Calc/Calculus

• AP Calculus

• Statistics Science

• AP Bio/Chem/Phys./En. Sci

• Forensics & Toxicology

• Anatomy & Physiology

Social Studies

• Economics—Gov’t

• AP Gov’t/Economics

• AP Psychology

World Languages

• French 4/4H/5H

• Italian 4/AP

• Spanish 4/4H/AP/Lit.

• Foreign Films

The Arts

• AP Art

• AP Music Theory

• Musical Theatre H

• Chorus, Band, Orch

New Electives

• Finance/Marketing

• Health Care Ethics

• Graphic Design 2H

• Video Production

• Cultural Perspectives

• Data Analytics

• Health 12

Finance Pathway

• Accounting

• AP Computer Science

POSSIBLE PATHWAYS & AREAS OF INTEREST

Students can bundle electives and gear their course of study towards a specific career path.

• Physics (as a junior or senior)/ AP Physics

Medical Pathway

• Anatomy/Physiology/Nutrition

• AP Biology/AP Chemistry

• Bioethics

• Precalculus/Calculus/AP Calculus

• AP Psychology

• Computers

• Economics

Humanities Pathway

• AP Language

• AP Literature

• Gender Studies

• Psychology

• Public Speaking

Data Analytics/ AP Comp Science A Adv. Research 12H Physical Education Dance

Sacred Heart Academy Where Girls Take the Lead

Where Girls Learn

Sacred Heart Academy, a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, is a four-year, college preparatory school for young women where students take extensive offerings, bundle electives and gear their course of study toward Allied Health, Medicine, Finance, and the Humanities.

Where Girls Succeed in Life

Sacred Heart Academy graduates join more than 11,000 alumnae in a special sisterhood that provides lifelong relationships and opportunities.

Where Girls Bond

Sacred Heart Academy’s close-knit community creates a deeply felt sisterhood amongst the girls. The most powerful sense of bonding, belonging and inclusiveness is seen in daily life here at SHA.

Where Girls Deepen Their Faith

Sacred Heart Academy students are critical thinkers who discern and grow in their personal Catholic faith and relationship with God.

Where Girls Play

Sacred Heart Academy has one of the most competitive athletic programs on Long Island, with many student-athletes continuing on to play at the collegiate level.

For more than 70 years, Sacred Heart Academy has inspired young women to realize their academic and leadership potential, exercise the power of their voices, unleash self confidence, create lifelong friendships and strengthen their spirituality.

At SHA, girls occupy every role in their learning experience.