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Sacred Heart Academy

United States, Louisville

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $17,540
Ages 14 - 18 years
Type Girls School
Opened 1877
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Mandarin, French, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages High School
Introduction

Located at 3115 Lexington Rd, Sacred Heart Academy is an all-girls high school serving ages 14 to 18. It offers an International Baccalaureate program across the Middle Years and Diploma Programs, with AP and dual-credit options, and is affiliated with the Ursuline Catholic tradition. The Ursuline Campus houses SHA, Sacred Heart Model School, Sacred Heart Preschool, and Sacred Heart School for the Arts, with facilities including the Ursuline STEM Center—featuring the Ann Cowley Wells Design Lab, a St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse, and the Heartwood outdoor classroom—and Horton Accessible Education Center for learners with differences. Students benefit from arts integration, a formal leadership program, and athletics across 16 sports. The Global Hearts Travel Program offers trips, and Learn & Lead pathways connect study to careers. Last year's graduates earned nearly $40 million in college scholarships. The school emphasizes Catholic faith, service, and leadership, preparing students for college and beyond.

3115 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206

The Essentials

Sacred Heart Academy has instruction in English.

Location
3115 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40206. Administrative Offices for Sacred Heart Academy are at this address. Sacred Heart Academy sits on Lexington Road in Louisville, KY, within the Sacred Heart Schools community.

Stages
High school grades 9–12. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is offered to 9th–10th graders, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) is offered to 11th–12th graders.

Type
All-girls high school.

Additional learning support
Learning Differences Program supports students with documented learning differences. The Horton Family Accessible Education Center provides accommodations and services with three dedicated faculty members, including extended time for testing, quiet testing, audio recording of lectures, note-taking assistance, and self-advocacy support.

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Catholic (Ursuline tradition)

School day structure
SHA uses a rotating block schedule with 75-minute blocks on blue and white days; TEAM and HEART are 45-minute all-school resource periods Monday through Thursday; Freshman Design Seminar supports first-year students.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Lunch is not included in tuition. A dining hall is planned as part of a campus expansion.

Governance and Ownership
The school is part of Sacred Heart Schools and is sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville.
Fees

Annual tuition at Sacred Heart Academy ranges from USD 17,540 for 2026/27.

Application fees / Registration deposit
- A non-refundable USD 300 reservation/deposit is required at registration to hold a student's place; this deposit is applied to the following year's tuition.

Annual tuition (SHA high school, 2026–2027)
- Annual tuition: USD 17,540.00 for the 2026–2027 school year. This amount includes the non-refundable USD 300 registration/deposit.
- Payment plan options: one-time payment (eligible for a USD 200 discount) or a 10‑month payment plan administered through FACTS. If a family selects the 10‑month plan, the annual tuition divided evenly across 10 payments equals USD 1,754.00 per month (USD 17,540.00 ÷ 10). All families, including those paying in full, are required to have a FACTS account.

Tuition billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition billing and collection are handled through the FACTS Tuition Management System; FACTS collects an enrollment fee based on the chosen payment plan. Families may elect to pay in full, on a quarterly schedule, or on a 10‑month monthly plan as managed through FACTS.
- One‑time payment discount: USD 200 off the stated annual tuition when paid in a single payment.
- Late-payment consequences: If tuition is not current, access to PowerSchool, report cards, transcripts, and/or diplomas may be withheld until accounts are reconciled. Students may be ineligible to sit for semester exams if tuition is not current.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not an offering for SHA high school students. SHA operates as a day school with standard school hours; no boarding program or boarding fees apply.

Mandatory and additional fees (annual / one‑time where indicated)
- Technology fee (annual, device/support): USD 450.00 per student per year; this fee is billed along with the selected tuition payment plan.
- SHA Class dues (billed at enrollment): USD 100.00 — supports the Parent Association, Booster Club, and Student Council.
- Annual Retreat fee (billed at enrollment): USD 150.00.
- ACT testing fee (Juniors only): USD 45.00 (billed at enrollment for applicable students).
- Graduation fee (Seniors only): USD 215.00 (billed at enrollment for applicable students).
- Incidental/variable fees billed through FACTS during the year (examples): AP and IB exam fees or IB Diploma fees, sports team participation fees, IT repair/replacement charges, field trip fees, and similar activity or course-specific charges. Families must opt at registration for incidental fees to be automatically debited from the FACTS account on file.
- Frosh Start (incoming‑freshman summer orientation program): USD 125.00 (optional/recommended; fee and sign-up information communicated in the welcome packet). Additional short summer mini‑courses (literacy, performing‑arts sessions) are also listed at USD 125.00 each where offered.
- Transcript request fee (where applicable): USD 8.00 per official transcript request.
- Tuition does not cover lunch, textbooks (where printed editions are required), or uniforms; these costs are separate and billed/paid independently. Uniform polos and spirit wear are available from the campus store.

Refunds and withdrawal billing (financial obligation / schedule)
- The USD 300 registration/deposit is non‑refundable and applies to the following year's tuition.
- Withdrawal / separation billing schedule (amounts due to the school if a student separates after the enrollment deposit is accepted):
- If separation occurs on or before the August 1 deadline for the relevant year, families are not obligated to pay tuition for the upcoming year; the deposit remains non‑refundable. After the August 1 cutoff, the financial obligation is determined by the date of separation as follows:
- August 2 until the day before school starts: non‑refundable deposit and the technology fee are due.
- First day of school until September 30: 25% of annual tuition plus all billed fees are due.
- October 1 until November 30: 50% of annual tuition plus all billed fees are due.
- December 1 until January 31: 75% of annual tuition plus all billed fees are due.
- On or after February 1: 100% of annual tuition plus all billed fees are due.
- Field trips and some pre‑paid activities may carry separate cancellation/non‑refund terms; some retreat reservations include a non‑refundable cancellation fee if cancelled within specified windows. Specific cancellation terms and any applicable non‑refundable amounts are communicated with each event's registration materials and processed through FACTS.

Fee payment options and methods
- All tuition and billed school fees are processed through the FACTS Tuition Management System; FACTS collects enrollment fees and supports families with payment plans and incidental billing. Families enroll in FACTS and select the payment schedule and authorization.
- FACTS supports common payment methods used by schools, including automatic bank draft (ACH/eCheck) and credit/debit card payments; specific card or bank options and any processing fees (for example, credit‑card convenience fees) depend on FACTS settings for the school and the plan selected.

Other practical notes on fees
- FACTS charges an enrollment/administration fee based on the chosen payment plan; FACTS also collects any separate financial‑aid application fee when families apply for tuition assistance through FACTS.
- Additional course, activity, or exam fees (AP, IB, athletics, arts, travel) may be invoiced during the year through FACTS as incidental charges and are billed to the FACTS account on file if the family has opted in to incidental billing.
Academics

Sacred Heart Academy teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum
Since 1877, Sacred Heart Academy has helped young women become world-ready leaders through a diverse, customizable high school experience that meets students' needs academically, emotionally, and socially. A challenging curriculum is paired with individualized student support, including support for students with diagnosed learning differences. Last year's graduating class earned almost $40 million in college scholarships. Daily arts integration, a formal leadership program, a winning athletic tradition, and a foundation of Catholic faith and commitment to service round out the complete high school education, propelling graduates to succeed in college and beyond.

Exam Results
Last year's graduating class earned almost $40 million in college scholarships.

Gifted and Talented
SHA is an International Baccalaureate World School. The Middle Years Programme is offered for grades 9 and 10, and the Diploma Programme is offered for grades 11 and 12; students may pursue the full IB Diploma or take individual IB courses, and AP and dual-credit classes are also offered.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Sacred Heart Academy Student Support System, known as HEART, addresses each student's academic, emotional, and personal needs. The program is staffed by four school and college counselors, two Horton Accessible Education Center directors, two academic interventionists, and a dedicated student support specialist. Counselors provide regular group and individual meetings for freshmen that focus on personal and academic transitions, study skills, and time management. The Mindfulness Room offers a designated quiet space for rebalancing during the day, and the Virtual Mindfulness Room provides online calming resources. Sophomores through seniors receive ongoing support for social-emotional growth, college planning, and academic success, including YouScience assessments accessed via SCOIR. The mission is to empower diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders who are independent lifelong learners.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Horton Family Accessible Education Center ensures SHA continues to support students as they navigate the college-preparatory curriculum. It is a state-of-the-art education center with resources such as partitioned tables, standing desks, traditional study carrels, private testing rooms, and a dedicated study lounge. The center has three dedicated faculty members who work with students on study skills, organization, test-taking, self-advocacy, and the ACT/SAT process. The Learning Differences program educates SHA faculty about different learning disabilities and collaborates with the administration, faculty, staff, parents, and the community to enhance students' academic and personal growth. The program serves students at every grade level and, as an International Baccalaureate World School, promotes strong study skills, confidence, and self-advocacy. Available accommodations may include extended time for testing, oral testing, quiet testing, note-taking assistance, self-advocacy training, and testing accommodations.

Mental Wellbeing
The HEART Student Support System provides mental wellbeing support through counselors, the Horton Center staff, and a dedicated student support team. The Mindfulness Room is a designated space for students to rebalance during the day, and the Virtual Mindfulness Room offers online calming resources. The Student Support Team's mission is to empower all students to be independent lifelong learners and to advocate for themselves, supporting personal and academic growth. Freshmen receive regular group and individual counseling to ease the transition to high school and to discuss involvement, study skills, time management, and balance. Counselors support sophomores and juniors in social-emotional growth, school involvement, academic success, and career exploration, with YouScience assessments integrated via SCOIR. The counseling program coordinates with college planning activities to prepare for postsecondary pathways while prioritizing student well-being.

Safeguarding
Sacred Heart Academy maintains safeguarding and inclusion policies accessible to families, including the SHS Student-Parent Handbook, SHS Grievance Policy, SHS Inclusion Policy, SHS Language Policy, and SHS Access and Admission Policy. The Access and Admission Policy outlines inclusive access to the IB programmes for a broad range of students and references the Inclusion and Grievance policies. Reach Alert is used to notify families immediately about weather and safety events, with instructions for registering multiple contact numbers and emails. The school has an Emergency Action Plan with location-specific plans for campus safety, covering facilities on the Ursuline Campus. The policies and procedures reflect the school's commitment to a safe, inclusive environment grounded in Catholic Ursuline values.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1877 by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville as the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart Schools is a Catholic, Ursuline community serving students from early childhood through high school. It is an International Baccalaureate and Cognia-accredited education with community-wide after-school arts instruction and performances. Each year, nearly 2,000 students are transformed through Catholic faith formation, leadership development, art exploration, athletic growth, and service outreach.

Community
Authentically Catholic and proudly Ursuline, the Sacred Heart community is rooted in the Ursuline Charism of St. Angela Merici. Reverence, Service, Leadership, and Community are the Core Values that guide how students, faculty, and staff interact and serve others. The school celebrates God, family, and diversity, and fosters an inclusive culture that develops globally minded, compassionate leaders.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The 48-acre Ursuline Campus houses Sacred Heart Academy (girls, 9-12), Sacred Heart Model School (JK-8), Sacred Heart Preschool (ages 1-5), and Sacred Heart School for the Arts (all ages). The campus includes premier athletic facilities and a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. There is abundant green space, including an outdoor amphitheater, a Grotto, and a prayer garden. Its facilities support academics, athletics, and arts across all four schools.

Sports Facilities
On-campus athletic facilities include turf and grass fields, five tennis courts, an 8-lane track, a softball field, two gyms, a weight room, and an athletic training room. The Sacred Heart Academy Gym is on campus.

Academic Facilities
Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is a 6,000-square-foot facility featuring the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and the Ann Cowley Wells Design Lab, with a St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse and Heartwood outdoor classroom. It enables hands-on learning with 3D printers, robotics kits, laser cutters, and hydroponics systems. Horton Family Accessible Education Center is a state-of-the-art education center that provides accommodations for students with learning differences, including partitioned and standing desks, private testing rooms, a study lounge, and tutoring resources. Sacred Heart Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School authorized for the Diploma Programme and the Middle Years Programme. The school offers AP/IB/Dual Credit options, including 56 college-credit courses.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Visual Arts are supported by a dedicated art wing with three full-time teachers, three mixed-media rooms, two ceramic studios, six kilns and 11 pottery wheels, a photography studio with darkroom equipment, sewing machines, an on-site art gallery, and a new media exhibit space. The Performing Arts program offers courses and co-curricular opportunities, with two full-scale musicals each year produced in the Ursuline Arts Center, and a three-choir choral program (Bel Canto, A Cappella, Madrigals) that has performed internationally. The Ursuline Performing Arts Collective (UPAC) is a rigorous, after-school program preparing students for GSA, community theatre, and post-secondary education. The Global Hearts Travel Program provides international travel experiences focused on global service, education, and leadership. There are extensive Clubs and Activities and other student-life opportunities on campus.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers International Baccalaureate Curriculum and is an IB World School. A challenging curriculum is paired with individualized student support, including support for students with diagnosed learning differences. Daily arts integration and a formal leadership program are integral to the SHA experience. Learn & Lead Career Exploration Pathways provide opportunities for college credit, career-related skill development, and internships through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute, with pathways including medical science, engineering, global business, and public policy.

Arts & Creative
Award-winning Performing Arts and Visual Arts programs are offered. There are three choirs (Freshmen, A Capella, Madrigals) and two full-scale musicals each year, with opportunities for acting, stage support, lighting, set-building, and more. The choir travels internationally to Italy and Ireland. Sacred Heart School for the Arts provides opportunities for dance, piano, guitar, and yoga & barre electives.

Cultural & Language
Global Hearts Travel Program offers international student travel guided by three pillars: Global Service and Advocacy, Education and Leadership, and Ursuline Heritage. Trips planned for 2024-25 include a Belize service trip, an Iceland environmental education trip, a Spanish immersion trip to Costa Rica, and a Greece trip to discover ancient history.

Social & Hobbies
Social life centers on SHA dances and pep rallies with the Valkyrie Nation student section, and singing Dear Sacred Heart with friends. Students go on field trips and retreats and serve their community alongside fellow Valkyries. The SHA sisterhood and the close-knit campus culture create a supportive and sociable student experience.

Community & Service
The school is rooted in Catholic community and the Ursuline core values of community, reverence, service, and leadership. SHA students provide more than 22,000 hours of service to the Louisville community each year. Nearly 43% of students earned the Service Honor Roll by completing at least 20 service hours beyond the requirement. Liturgical services and daily prayer are part of campus life, with retreats and service opportunities available.

Leadership & Professional
The Jean Frazier Leadership Institute teaches every student how to discover her unique gifts, find her leadership style, and share her gifts through authentic, real-world experiences. The program touches every student and builds throughout her four years at SHA. Learn & Lead Career Exploration Pathways provide a flexible framework for college credit, career-related skill development, and internships through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute, with pathways in medical science, engineering, global business, and public policy.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The athletic program is nationally ranked, with 16 sports and intramural opportunities and 65% of students participating; the program boasts a 3.79 GPA. On-campus athletic facilities include turf and grass fields, five tennis courts, an 8-lane track, a softball field, two gyms, a weight room, and an athletic training room. The HEART Student Support System provides individualized academic, emotional, and personal support with four school counselors, two directors of the Horton Accessible Education Center, two academic interventionists, and a dedicated student support specialist. A TEAM/HEART period each day offers study hall, teacher meetings, makeup work, group study, and assemblies.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches English as Language & Literature within the IB framework (IB Group 1), including English I, II, III, IV, and IB English Literature HL. Mandarin Chinese is taught as Language Acquisition (IB Group 2) with courses such as Chinese I (Accelerated), Chinese II (Accelerated), Advanced Chinese III (Accelerated), and IB Mandarin Ab Initio SL I. World Language is a graduation requirement.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Explore SHA admissions and start the journey. Families can learn about Sacred Heart Academy by exploring the site, schedule a SHAdow visit to experience a Valkyrie for a day, follow SHA on social media, schedule a personal tour with the admissions team, attend an open house, and reach out to current SHA students. The enrollment team is here to help you through this process every step of the way. This initial exploration helps families understand SHA's offerings and community.

Scholarships
Tuition assistance and scholarships are available at Sacred Heart Academy. The Archdiocese of Louisville and SHA use FACTS Management to manage tuition assistance forms; the FACTS Grant & Aid form can be completed online beginning October 15, 2026, and the aid application should be completed by January 18, 2027. Aid is need-based and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis; an application is considered complete only after both the FACTS form and all requested documentation are uploaded. FAQ items include that all incoming freshmen must take the High School Placement Test before aid can be awarded, and transferring students must complete a Transfer Application before aid can be awarded; there is also a SHA scholarship application required for some awards. Scholarships vary in amount and eligibility, including need-based and Angela Merici Scholars, which are renewable four-year merit-based scholarships for freshmen who score in the top 10% on the High School Placement Test; Angela Merici scholarships range from $500 to $4,000, and need-based scholarships require BOTH the FACTS aid application and the SHA scholarship application, with a January 18, 2027 deadline for scholarship consideration. For more information about scholarships, contact the Director of Enrollment, Nicole Burke, at [email protected] or 502-896-3937. The 2026-27 Sacred Heart Academy Scholarship Application is available as part of these offerings.
School Events
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