Explore: Changing the world since 1867

Changing the world since 1867.

Academy of the Sacred Heart is New Orleans' only Catholic, ISAS independent, college preparatory school for girls from age 1 through grade 12. Founded in 1867, and affectionately known as the Rosary, the school has a long history that is rooted in the spiritual charism of the Society of the Sacred Heart, whose mission is "to discover and make known the love of God through the heart of Jesus.” This purpose is carried out across the global Sacred Heart network, in more than 150 schools in 41 countries. Academy of the Sacred Heart is one of 25 Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States and Canada sponsored by the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ). In the pursuit of their shared mission, all Sacred Heart schools are united by the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart education and a rich legacy of educating girls to change the world.

"For the sake of one child, I would have founded the Society."
–St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, Foundress of Sacred Heart Education

1867

First Sacred Heart school in NOLA, Mater Admirabilis

6:1

Student to faculty ratio

12

Average class size

150

National & International Sacred Heart Schools

102

Home of 102 State & Runner-up athletic titles

100%

College acceptance rate to four-year colleges

17

AP on-site & online classes offered

25

Sacred Heart schools in the U.S. & Canada

Where ASH STUDENTS come from

New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge, Mandeville, Destrehan, Chalmette, LaPlace – we never know where our future Sacred Heart girls will come from.

ASH At A Glance

#1 Catholic High School in Louisiana (Niche)
Sacred Heart Education: 1867
Affiliation/Student Body: Catholic/All Girls
Tuition: $17,530-$24,800
Grades: Ages 1-Grade 12
Student/Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Total Students: 830
Average class size: 12
150+: National & International Sacred Heart Schools
Accelerated: 17 AP on-site & online courses
Mascot: Cardinals "Ashley"
Colors: Red & White
100% College acceptance rate

Academics

Explorer. Inventor. Scholar. Leader. How will she change the world?

Arts

Act, sing, dance, draw, paint – here, she'll find inspiration everywhere.

Athletics

Catch all of the latest Cardinals' news.

Accreditations & Membership Affiliations

View full list at a glance >

Frequently asked questions

Where Do Sacred Heart Girls Go To College?

Attendances in the last 5 years:

Alfred • University of Arkansas • Auburn University • Baylor University • Belhaven University • Belmont University • Boston College • Boston University • University of California, Berkeley • University of California, Santa Barbara • California State University (Long Beach) • Catholic University of America • University of Chicago • Clemson University • College of Charleston • University of Colorado Boulder • Dartmouth College • University of Delaware • University of Denver • Drexel University • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Emerson College • Emory University • University of Florida • Florida International University • Florida State University • Fordham University • Furman University • University of Georgia • High Point University • Johns Hopkins University • University of Kentucky • Lauder Business School, Vienna, Austria • University of Louisiana at Lafayette • Louisiana State University • Louisiana Tech University • Loyola Marymount University • Loyola University Chicago • Loyola University New Orleans • Lynn University • Marymount Manhattan College • McGill University, Montreal • University of Miami • University of Michigan • Middlebury College • Millsaps College • University of Mississippi • Mississippi State University • The University of Alabama • The New School: Parsons School of Design • New York University • Nicholls State University • University of North Carolina/Asheville • University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill • Northwestern University • University of Notre Dame • The Ohio State University • University of Oklahoma • University of Pennsylvania • Pratt Institute • Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada • Rhodes College • Rice University • Roanoke College • Rollins College • Saint Joseph’s University • Saint Louis University • Saint Mary’s College • Sam Houston State University • Samford University • University of San Diego • Santa Clara University • Savannah College of Art and Design • Seton Hall University • Sewanee: University of the South • University of South Alabama • University of South Carolina • University of Southern California • Southern Methodist University • University of Southern Mississippi • Spring Hill College • St. Edward’s University • Stetson University • Stevens Institute of Technology • Stony Brook University • The University of Tennessee • University of Texas at Austin • Texas Christian University • Trinity University • Tufts University • Tulane University • University of the Arts • Vanderbilt University • Villanova University • University of Virginia • Virginia Tech • Viterbo University • Wake Forest University • Washington & Lee University • Wheaton College, MA • Xavier University of Louisiana • University of Missouri • University of New Orleans •

Brief History

In 1867, the RSCJs open the first Sacred Heart school, Mater Admirabilis, in the French Quarter.
Rev. Mother DuTreil, RSCJ purchased the John Calhoun/Rivers estate at 4521 St. Charles Avenue––the second Sacred Heart school in New Orleans which opened with three students.
Through the years, the Rosary building underwent three major expansions in 1906, 1913, and 1996.
In 1998, the expansion included the new academic wing on the corner of Jena and Carondelet Streets.
In 2002, the Board of Trustees authorized the purchase of the First Baptist Church property on St. Charles and Napoleon avenues.
The Mater Campus opened in the fall of 2005 and is home to the Preschool and Primary School.
In 2011, the school opened a new Arts and Athletics Complex on the back square of the Rosary Campus that enhances the arts, athletics, wellness, and co-curricular programs.
In 2012, the Rosary campus celebrated its 125th year anniversary on the historic St. Charles Avenue
In 2017, extensive renovations were made to the STEAM wing of the Rosary Campus, launching the Richard C. Colton Jr. Performing and Fine Arts Center along with the Katherine and Robert Boh Innovation Lab & Makerspace. The library wing also underwent design and learning space renovations.

Our Upper School Curriculum

The Upper School operates on a semester basis and utilizes flexible scheduling providing for small group instruction, independent study, and the possibility of taking college courses on nearby campuses or online. To meet graduation requirements, the student is expected to earn a minimum of 28 units of credit. In addition, each student must participate in at least one service project per year, complete at least 50 hours of volunteer work during her junior year, attend yearly retreats and give a senior speech during her final year of high school in order to meet graduation requirements. Students must take a minimum of six credits per year, six courses per semester, five of which must be courses in English, math, science, foreign language or social studies. Any exceptions are only granted by special written permission from the Head of the Upper School.

Required Upper School courses include:

• 4 units English

• 4 units Religious Studies

• 4 units Science (including Biology, Physics and Chemistry)

• 4 units History & Social Studies (including World Geography, World History, U.S. History and Government)

• 4 units Mathematics (including Algebra I, II and Geometry)

• 3 units, through the third level, of same Foreign Language

• 2 units Physical Education (4 semesters)

• 1 unit Performing & Visual Arts

• ½ unit Computer Applications

• 1 unit Financial Literacy

• ½-4½ units electives

Honors & Advanced Placement Courses

Advanced Placement courses are offered in English Language, English Literature, French Language, Spanish Language, World History, United States History, Government, Biology, Environmental Science, Calculus, Statistics, Computer Science and Studio Art. Students in these courses are prepared for and required to take Advanced Placement tests to earn honors credit. Advanced Placement courses are considered honors courses.

Honors courses are marked H on the transcript and are weighted +1 in the GPA. Advanced Placement courses are marked H AP on the transcript and are weighted +1 in the GPA.

Honors courses are offered in:

• English II
• French II, III, IV
• Spanish II, III, IV
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Algebra II
• Geometry
• Precalculus
• Calculus

Grading Scale

Students receive formal grades at the end of each semester and progress reports in mid-October and mid-March. A cumulative grade-point average is computed for every student at the end of each academic year. The GPA is based on all courses except PE and some electives.

Grading Scale:

	Regular Courses	Honors Courses
A+ (97-100)	4.3	5.3
A (93-96)	4.0	5.0
A- (90-92)	3.7	4.7
B+ (87-89)	3.3	4.3
B (83-86)	3.0	4.0
B- (80-82)	2.7	3.7
C+ (77-79)	2.3	3.3
C (73-76)	2.0	2.0
C- (70-72)	1.7	1.7
D (65-69)	1.0	1.0
F (64…)	0	0

Honor Roll & Testing

Honor Roll

A minimum 3.40 GPA for the year with no grade below B- (except honors courses where no grade may be below C+) is required.

Testing

Students take the PSAT9, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT and AP tests. AP scores are always sent separately and typically only to the college they will attend.

Tech in the Class

The Academy of the Sacred Heart students can receive Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Word, Excel and Power Point. Students, through these specific computer classes, can earn up to three college credits.

School Policies: Non-Discriminatory, Photography, Social Media, etc.

Academy of the Sacred Heart School Policies

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