SHC Vision Book 2023-24

VISION

OUR MISSION

INNOVATION LOCATION COMMUNITY

Inspired by the Daughters of Charity and the De La Salle Christian Brothers, in partnership with families, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory’s mission is to provide the finest education in an inclusive Catholic community of faith. We prepare our students to become service-oriented leaders with a commitment to living the Gospel.

WHO WE ARE

Our story is one of innovation and purpose, of serving San Francisco’s youth since 1852. Today, we continue to welcome the Bay Area’s brightest students to our inclusive community, preparing our students for success through our dynamic curriculum, integrated technology and dedicated and innovative teachers.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and St. Louise de Marillac—our revolutionary Founders—created a framework over 300 years ago. Today, we honor their legacy by providing the finest education grounded in our faith and inspired by modern innovation.

Students and their families choose SHC for the strength of our academics, our faith and values, our extensive array of co-curricular opportunities and the warmth of our inclusive and nurturing community.

SHC students are compassionate, motivated, resourceful, independent, service-oriented leaders who give life to our motto, Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.

facultyandstaff members withpost graduate degrees

10faculty members with doctoral degrees

GRADUATES

SHC ALUMNI FOLLOW THEIR PASSIONS AND ENJOY ENDLESS SUCCESS AS OLYMPIC WINNING RESTAURATEURS, ENTREPRENEURS, PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES, PHILANTHROPISTS, NOWNED PHYSICIANS AND EDUCATORS. THEY ENROLL INTO HUNDREDS OF COLLEGES NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES:

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COLUMBIA

DUKE UNIVERSITY HARVARD UNIVERSITY

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY STANFORD UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

100% COLLEGE

ATHLETES, ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS, LEGISLATORS, DEVOTED PARENTS, AWARDPHILANTHROPISTS, BROADWAY PERFORMERS, RELIGIOUS BROTHERS AND DAUGHTERS, RECOLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING ALL OF US NEWS & WORLD REPORT’S TOP

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

PENNSYLVANIA YALE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE

We teach our students to use the tools most relevant to them in a digitally diverse and everchanging world. Our students have the autonomy to select the technology of their choice with our Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, a philosophy more in line with practices in current higher education. SHC’s learning management system, Schoology, facilitates web-based educational technology and social media to bolster both learning and community building. Combined with our collaborative learning spaces, state-ofthe-art classroom technology, integrated service-learning and wellness curricula, and flexible online and blended course offerings, SHC is at the forefront of cutting-edge instruction.

“I can’t think of a single job in which the technology we use in the classroom isn’t also being used in the workplace. It’s a matter of not just are you learning as well or better but are we preparing you for the life that’s to come.”

Dabney Standley Director, Inquiry and Innovation (i2) Program

The City is our classroom. It’s one of the many perks of being located in the heart of San Francisco. The SFJazz Center, San Francisco Ballet, Asian Art Museum, SFMOMA, City Hall, countless high-tech corporations, and the CPMC Hospital, are all within blocks of our campus, giving our students access to the world that awaits them after graduation.

“We’re so close to tech and to the arts... We’re able to really connect our students to experiences in the community around them.”

Gary Cannon Principal

SHC’s urban campus gives students direct access to the incredible resources and culture that make San Francisco one of the most desirable cities on earth.

ARTS/CULTURE

TECH & INDUSTRY HUBS

CIVIC/GOVERNMENT

SHC & EVERYTHING ELSE TRANSIT & SHC

World-class Sister Caroline Collins, DC, Theater

State-of-the-art

classroom facilities

1,500 seat capacity Pavilion

When you enter SHC as a student, you join a proud lineage. You become an integral member of a family deeply rooted in this great city. You are supported by the generations of alumni who have come before you, and you are tasked with trailblazing the path for the students who will come after you.

SHC students are willing and encouraged to take intellectual risks—an athlete can discover theatre, a Robotics Team member can fill her schedule with English selectives, a reserved student can elicit a standing ovation with his inspiring TEDxYouth@SHC talk. SHC students are empowered to take risks that reward and enrich their lives because they feel confident and supported by their school community.

The strong sense of unity at SHC is one of our most defining characteristics and, by far, the most difficult to articulate. When you step on campus, however, you will quickly find that you are accepted as you are, challenged to achieve your most ambitious goals, and encouraged to think big and act authentically. Your peers and the adult community at SHC will hold you accountable and support you as you grow into and claim your unique, best self.

“I felt an overwhelming sense of community at SHC that I just couldn’t find anywhere else.”

Lauren Pugeda ’18

WHAT WE DOacademics

We believe in the power of student-centered learning—your natural curiosity should drive your intellectual path. Academic rigor starts with your innate desire to learn. Your inquiry, drive and thirst for knowledge are the most important elements of your education. It’s our desire to provide you with the highest-quality resources, the passion and training of our faculty and the time and flexibility to excel throughout these four transformative years.

SHC’s transformative curriculum includes rigorous core classes, engaging electives and challenging Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Courses such as AP Environmental Science, Asian American Literature, and the Search for Human Meaning develop students’ analytic, creative and personal capacities. Our integrated service learning; programs from TEDxYouth to the Student Launch Initiative; and our one-unit, interdisciplinary Academic Exploration courses on topics such as Surfing: the Zen of Waves, Making Money Work and CSI, SHC broadens students’ worldview and encourages them them to put their ideas into the world.

Behind all of SHC’s academic offerings is a faculty of accomplished educators who care deeply about educating the whole student. Our faculty thoughtfully designs challenging curricula which promote critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. Above all, SHC educators are passionate about fulfilling their roles as big brothers and sisters to their students.

“Service-Learning at SHC is not just a checklist. Our students make real connections between the spiritual and emotional aspects of this work. We cultivate a culture that empowers students to use their gifts and talents for the benefit of others. We want them to use what they learn in the classroom out in the world.”

— Julia Rinaldi Instructor of Health & Religious Studies

We believe athletics contributes to physical, personal, social and spiritual growth. Studentathletes at SHC gain critical life skills by learning to contribute to a team, working collaboratively, and sharpening time management and leadership skills. As a member of the West Catholic Athletic League (WCAL), the most competitive league in Northern California, our athletic program offers students:

Girls & Boys Cross Country

Flag Football

Football

Girls & Boys Golf

Girls & Boys Tennis

Girls & Boys Volleyball

Girls & Boys Basketball

Girls & Boys Soccer

Girls & Boys Wrestling

Baseball

Girls & Boys Lacrosse

Softball

Girls & Boys Swimming

Girls & Boys Track & Field

By learning how to compete at the highest level and sacrificing for a common purpose, our athletes have accomplished the following since 1987:

24 League Titles

46 Central Coast Section Titles

19 NorCal Titles

8 State Team Titles

WHAT WE DOathletics

2 State Individual Titles

“My experience as a volleyball player at SHC and the mentorship I received from my coach has a lot to do with who I am today and where I want to go in the future.”

— Madison

University of Southern California

Murtagh ’15

WHAT WE DOart

We believe a strong arts program is essential to our overall academic curriculum while increasing student motivation, understanding in other areas of learning, and the capacity for meaningful and culturally diverse experiences. Students with a passion for the arts will find ample opportunities for self-expression in our Visual & Performing Arts Program. Our state-of-the-art Sister Caroline Collins, DC, Theater is home to our student performers and production crews— a joyful, professional-level environment to hone their craft.

With the San Francisco Ballet, theater district and world-class museums within walking distance, our student artists and performers experience firsthand what their passion can manifest.

Theatre Company

Chorus

Dance

Instrumental Music

Visual Arts

“The VPA program allowed me to basically tailor a plan specifically for what I was passionate about. I was very fulfilled as an aspiring artist at SHC, and the level of student talent was really high.”

Eric Pagan ’08

Off-Broadway

actor, costume designer

SHC’s Community Life Team creates opportunities for students to contribute to communitybuilding on campus by inspiring leadership, creating fellowship among our student body, and encouraging emotional, spiritual and intellectual growth.

Student Clubs & Organizations

Adventure Leadership

Advocacy in Action

Art in Action

ASL Club

Badminton Club

Block Club

Book Society

California Scholarship

Federation

Cheese Club

Coding and App Development

Comic Book Club

Creative Writing Club

Cugini Club

Dance Team

Drama Club

Earth Action

Emerald Newspaper

Engineering Club

Fashion Club

Finance Club

Fishing Club

French Club

Gaming Club

WHAT WE DOcommunity life

Guitar Club

Japanese Club

Jubilee

Kiva Club

Knitting/Crafting Club

Kpop Club

Lasallian-Vincentian Youth

Mandarin Club

Music Listening Club

Oracle Photography

Polynesian Dance Club

Robotics

SHCtv

Spanish Club

Speech & Debate

Sports Medicine

Stress-Free @ SHC

Student Council

Tea Club

Tech Crew

TEDxYouth@SHC

The Company

Yearbook

“SHC has prepared me for college in a multitude of ways, and I’ve learned the most from our school’s emphasis on community and compassion—two very important values for my growth as a leader and team player.”

Unique Cheon ’16

Yale University

FEARLESS

Fearless, We Pursue