Sacred Heart School of Halifax

Welcome to Sacred Heart School of Halifax

Sacred Heart School of Halifax is a member of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), and one of the top independent schools in Atlantic Canada.

Headmistress: Sr. Anne Wachter RSCJ

History:

In 1800, in post-revolutionary France, a passionate and brilliant young woman named St. Madeleine Sophie Barat started the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (RSCJ) based upon her belief that education, particularly of girls, could transform society. In 1849, Sister Hardey led a group of RSCJ to Halifax and took up residence at Brookside, now the Lord Nelson Hotel. Seven days after arriving, they opened a school and began teaching the city’s young girls. In 1851, the RSCJ moved into present building, and operated it as the Convent of the Sacred Heart until 1985 when it was reincorporated and named Sacred Heart School of Halifax. 

Arts:

Sacred Heart School of Halifax exceptionally strong visual and performing arts programs give students the opportunity to hone their skills in music, art, or theatre, and often through all three at once.

Music: choral musical presentations in the Senior School include an Advent Service of Readings and Carols, and a spring concert. Sacred Heart School of Halifax offers a co-ed liturgy choir, while all-girls choral group regularly performs at School events.Elementary Choir is a dynamic and talented group that regularly performs at School events and throughout the wider community. 

Performing Arts: In collaboration with producer and musical directors, students spend weeks in intensive rehearsals. Productions are enhanced by elaborate set designs, fanciful makeup and costumes, and sophisticated sound and lights.

Visual Arts: The Visual Arts from creative and engaging Elementary School art programs to Senior School Fine Arts classes, students at every level are given an opportunity to create and to collaborate.

Athletics:

Elementary School (P-6):  There are typically a number of seasonal co-curricular activities to choose from, including Running Club, karate, and skating at the nearby Emera Oval.

Senior School (7-12): SHSH senior teams typically compete competitively in basketball, soccer, cross country, hockey, badminton, skiing, and athletics, and recreationally in tennis, field hockey, ultimate frisbee, and table tennis, and Sacred Heart School of Halifax will do so this year only where sanctioned by ACIS or NSSAF and where these activities can be conducted safely.

Academics:

Junior Primary: An integral part of the Sacred Heart community, JP’s enjoy the use of theatre, lunch room, library, two gyms, and a state-of-the-art playground. They also delight in weekly gatherings with Grade 4 Reading Buddies, regular visits from Senior School volunteers, and participation in the internationally recognized Roots of Empathy program. 

Elementary School (P-6): Sacred Heart School of Halifax co-ed Elementary School is a thriving and nurturing environment, where every child is known, where love and joy are abundant, and teachers work in partnership with parents. Sacred Heart School of Halifax intentionally make the best use of instructional time through blocks of reading, writing, and math every day. And at the same time, Sacred Heart School of Halifax value and support learning across many disciplines. students engage in physical education, music, science, religion, social studies, art, and healthy living. Sacred Heart School of Halifax also teach them civility - kindness and gratitude are part of daily life.

Sacred Heart School of Halifax provides age-appropriate French instruction to serve students’ developmental needs. Love of language is introduced in Junior Primary and Primary. The bilingual program of Grades 1 and 2, with half-day English and half-day French, provides a solid foundation of oral fluency and confidence. Building on this, daily academic core French class in Grades 3 through 6 sets students on the path to achieving their French fluency diploma in High School.

Senior School (7-12):  Sacred Heart School of Halifax offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses where students can challenge themselves to earn first-year university credit to kick-start their post-secondary career. They can also choose educational travel, unique online courses, and experiential learning with local specialists to augment their learning experience. Students also receive guidance and one-on-one counselling in career planning, the university application process, scholarship applications, and resumé writing, giving them all the tools they need to have a successful post-secondary academic experience.