For Students At This Chicago School, Service Work is Key

Shaping the leaders of our future often requires education to happen both inside and outside of the classroom.

Sacred Heart is the oldest Independent school in Chicago, leading in this style since 1876. Although rooted in Catholicism, the school stands out amongst other religious institutions in the area by welcoming students of all faiths from Pre-K to 8th grade, and offering a modern curriculum founded on the belief that education should expand both the mind and the heart.

Students thrive thanks to small class sizes and a roster of exceptional educators, with a vast majority of graduates gaining admission to the top-rated high schools in the state. But Sacred Heart’s mission doesn’t end with academic excellence. For 200 years the school has been committed to fostering a loving, inclusive community of spirituality and service.

As Ann Chiumino, Sacred Heart Admissions Director, described it: “The special traditions and service opportunities enrich the students’ lives far beyond the classroom. Students are not only strong academically, but they are kind people who see themselves as part of a larger world”.

Sacred Heart’s community-building traditions and programs are loved by students and families alike. Whether it’s a fun, game-filled day or a food drive for those in need, “Sacred Heart has a skillful way of balancing each day, giving students traditions to look forward to. These traditions make each year exciting and unique” commented Stephanie Nash Hart, a parent at the school, in a recent Heart to Heart conversation.

Here are a few of the school’s most popular activities:

Congé

At Sacred Heart, Congé (from the French word for dismissal or formal departure) is a surprise day when all classes are canceled and students are encouraged to play. The younger ones are entertained with games, bouncy houses, and other fun activities on campus while the older students are taken on fun grade-specific outings, ranging from arcades to movies to a trampoline park.

Goûter

Around special days or holidays, students are offered a treat during an event called Goûter (from the French: to taste or to enjoy). Chiumino’s favorite takes place on the last day of school before Christmas break: “After morning Mass, the entire school gathers in the cafeteria for a hot dog lunch. All of the 8th graders sit on the stage, and all 8th-grade parents are invited to serve hot dogs to the whole school."

Service Work

With a commitment to raise social awareness and community service, students and their families are encouraged to take part in age-appropriate volunteer services, fundraisers or donation collections.

“The students gain a greater understanding of the world around them when they provide service to others. They realize that their actions, no matter their age, can help those in need," explains Chiumino. "Students start this practice as soon as they enter Sacred Heart, it becomes a part of who they are, as opposed to something 'additional.'"

One of the school’s most beloved programs is Sophie’s Net, which enables families to donate meals to the school which are then anonymously passed on to other Sacred Heart families in need.

Want to learn more about Sacred Heart’s unique traditions and service work offerings? Schedule a tour of the Sacred Heart Schools.