A CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE SACRED HEART TRADITION FOR YOUNG WOMEN GRADES 7-12 AND BOYS AND GIRLS AGE 3-GRADE 6
the journey begins...
From the time they come to us, our students embark upon a Sacred Heart journey. Whether as a curious junior kindergartener eager to explore; a middle schooler poised for young adulthood; or a high schooler ready to test her mettle—we partner with families to serve as trusted guides on this journey.
“For the sake of one child, I would have founded the Society.”
saint madeleine sophie barat Foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart
Welcome to Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School. You will discover that our Sacred Heart tradition is rooted in a vibrant Catholic school community. Madeleine Sophie Barat, who founded the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1800, envisioned a transformational education. Her vision was realized in the United States when Rose Philippine Duchesne arrived in Missouri in 1818. Villa Duchesne was founded for young women in 1929 in honor of this religious pioneer, with Oak Hill opening in 1973 for boys and girls.
The five Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education are the foundation of our mission. Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to:
Goal I a personal and active faith in God
Goal II a deep respect for intellectual values
Goal III a social awareness which impels to action
Goal IV the building of community as a Christian value
Goal V personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom
We are committed to Saint Madeleine Sophie’s vision for education, linked with more than one hundred schools around the world. You will find Sacred Heart schools in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Egypt, England & Wales, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, Scotland, Spain, Taiwan, Uganda, and the United States.
“ My work is a ‘ Once Upon a Time’ story and I pray that all the children will someday ‘ live happily ever after.’ The library chair that I sit in to read to the children faces a very old statue of Saint Madeleine Sophie. Each day I am aware of the vocation she has given me – the education of youth.”
sally stephens, rscj ’52
Oak Hill librarian
Our mission requires that we instill in our students a personal and active faith in God, which compels them to transform their world. It’s a tall order in today’s “it’s-all-about-me” culture, but this is the challenge we gladly accept as followers of Jesus Christ. And, as Christians, we teach our students to honor what is unique to other faiths while rejoicing in the beliefs that bring us together. That is truly one of Jesus Christ’s greatest lessons for a world often divided by its differences.
At Oak Hill, our religious education provides children with an understanding and commitment that will lead them to respond to God’s goodness by loving others. They learn to show this love through the practice of Christian values.
At Villa Duchesne, our theology curriculum is designed to give each young woman a deeper understanding of God, herself, and the world. It emphasizes both serious academic content and personal faith development.
All of our students, as well as the rest of our Sacred Heart community, are invited throughout the week to celebrate Mass in our chapel as a school family. Beyond our campus, our faith is expressed in many ways, from collecting hundreds of food baskets each Christmas for families in need to our trips abroad to serve in developing nations. Our Service Learning program furthers the mission of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, who calls us to transform the world by making known the Heart of Jesus.
intellectual values
“My son’s brain is clearly being stretched, which he loves! He tells us what he’s learning about artist Piet Mondrain and the use of vertical lines; he greets us with ‘Bonjour’ at breakfast time; he shares his enthusiasm for the probability games they play during math class; and he looks forward to building a volcano in science class. He is deliriously happy.”
kalleen munsch rose ’87
Oak Hill parent
Step into any Oak Hill classroom and you’ll find engaged and happy learners. You’ll see caring, committed teachers working with each child, developing skills and cultivating special talents with 21st-century tools like SMART Tables, iPads, and LEGO robotics. From age three through sixth grade, our boys and girls grow in an understanding of themselves and their ever-expanding world.
Beginning in middle school, our students are in an all-girls environment that challenges them to new academic heights while strengthening basic skills and study habits. In addition to the core subjects of religion, math, social studies, English, science, and world languages, the young women are instructed in art, music, physical education, and drama. The tablet PC and its accompanying responsibilities are also introduced.
In high school, our students are conscientiously prepared to pursue colleges and careers with the support of our comprehensive college counseling program. Our full-time counselors are committed to finding the “best fit” for each student. All of our graduates are accepted into four-year colleges and universities, with three out of four selecting colleges beyond Missouri.
social awareness
“Doing service not only affects those being served, it truly benefits those serving… I highly encourage you to go out, try new things, interact with people different from you, and serve others. You will be amazed by the truths you learn, the things you achieve, and the happiness it brings you.”
polly capps ’15
National Honor Society member
Our Apostolic Works program offers age-appropriate service projects that empower Oak Hill students. Our students learn that by taking care of others and taking care of our planet, they are making the world a better place in which to live. Oak Hill students become responsible citizens as their projects benefit families in St. Louis, surrounding communities, and areas as far reaching as Haiti and Uganda.
Our award-winning Service Learning program inspires Villa Duchesne students through community service. Students volunteer off campus to better develop their understanding of society, serve as active citizens of the world, and embrace responsibility, initiative, communication, and teamwork. Unlike many community service programs, Villa Duchesne students volunteer with their classmates during school hours as an integral part of our curriculum. The collaborative experience is followed by the opportunity to reflect upon and debate social justice in our world.
Our students collectively volunteer more than 18,000 hours of service each year in the St. Louis community and beyond.
community
“The transformations I experienced at Villa continue to shape my life. Because I knew so many women of conviction and passion, I am able to pursue both qualities in myself ... And perhaps the most transformative gift of all has been the clear mandate to make a positive difference in the wider world. ”
kathryn d. cramer, ph.d. ’65 Bestselling author and Emmy award winner
Our visual and performing arts programs offer students the opportunity to learn more about other cultures, even as they learn more about themselves, by coordinating projects with Sacred Heart schools around the world. Whether it’s our first graders analyzing the artwork of the Masters; our middle schoolers performing in full stage productions; or our high school students singing in national competitions, all students have the opportunity to explore their talents on the stage and in the art studio.
Our athletic program provides invaluable lessons in teamwork, competition, and self-discipline. The program also plays an important part in helping students develop a healthy self-concept as well as a healthy body. Our student athletes grow in skill as well as in integrity, accountability, and honesty. Sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.
Our campus is open after school for students to study and play. Oak Hill students may attend Acorn Club at no additional charge or pursue enrichment classes in chess, art, fencing, science, and more. Villa Duchesne students are encouraged to discover the dozens of clubs and activities offered on campus.
“We infuse humanity into education, because we’re not just training students to be successful. We’re offering them the tools to live a meaningful life.”
marty rubio
Villa Duchesne teacher and National Association of Independent Schools Teacher of the Future
At Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School, we do not believe that one size fits all. In fact, we are committed to providing an education that is tailored for each student. We know that students can excel in some subjects while feeling anxious about others. Our small class sizes and low student/teacher ratio mean our faculty members can challenge students to fulfill their personal potential. And, if a student needs extra attention in a subject area, parents can engage campus tutors to provide additional support during the school day.
Our faculty members are trained to identify a student’s gifts. They build confidence and character by nurturing those gifts daily in the classroom. And, our faculty members encourage students to pursue those gifts beyond the classroom through further studies and competitions.
Together, our students celebrate their successes in the classroom, at the athletic field, on the stage, and behind the scenes.
We believe each student should be celebrated.
One size does not fit all.
the journey continues...
Astudent’s Sacred Heart education is never really complete. Once begun, it is something that is lasting, something that sustains a Child of the Sacred Heart along the path of life. As our graduates continue their journey, we know their Sacred Heart education has prepared them to transform their families, communities, and world.
Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School sits on a lush, 60-acre wooded campus. With breathtaking views of nature, it inspires our students to discover and develop their talents in a tranquil setting. The century-old log cabin on our campus originally housed the Religious of the Sacred Heart as well as our first kindergarten class. It stands today as a tribute to our humble beginnings even as our modern facilities expand to meet the needs of students in the 21st century.
