Sacred Heart Schools

We have been a Sacred Heart family for a number of years and absolutely love the school. It is outstanding academically and the community of parents, teachers, and staff is amazing, but one of the things that truly sets Sacred Heart apart from other schools in Chicago is the emphasis on community service. Every grade is directly involved in projects that help children grow in their understanding of what it means to «give back.» Seventh and eighth graders regularly volunteer, with school guidance, at places like Misericordia, Inspiration Café, and Albany Park Community Center. The Howard Area Christmas Project is a long-​standing tradition that involves every member of the school community and is looked forward to by both parents and students every year. I could name a dozen more. Sacred Heart’s commitment to educating students who understand that their actions can make a difference in the world really sets the school apart from others in the area.

I am an avid researcher and spent hundreds — actually probably thousands — of hours researching schools in Chicago. I visited both public and private schools, including all the big names and many that I hadn’t heard of. From the moment I walked into Sacred Heart Schools (not to be confused with other schools with the same/​similar name), there was something special about this school. The head of schools said, «We believe children learn best when they feel loved.» You can sense that the 5 values of the school, which are posted everywhere, are truly lived out. There is a phenomenal amount of personalized attention to the children, and there is also a high degree of parent/​teacher communication and coordination. There are many brilliant kids at this school, and yet the parents are understated about it which I appreciate. The focus is on educating the whole child, and yet their test scores are at the top. The teachers are absolutely top rate, and the head of the primary schools is a perceptive, intelligent, dedicated Yale grad who hands out Kleenex to the moms on the first day of kindergarten because she really does understand. The 8^th graders shake hands, look adults in the eye, and smile confidently. They are taught both French and Spanish from K on by excellent separate teachers. I know of several families who have transferred their children out of top private schools in Chicago when there was an opening at Sacred Heart, and they said it was the best thing they’ve done. Study after study shows that girls learn differently than boys, and this is a place that gets it. After K girls and boys are separated for academics, but yet they still are integrated socially for so much. Clearly I’m an advocate for this school. The hardest part is getting into it and then paying the tuition!

I give 5 stars to the school. I graduated from the grammar /​elementary school in 1983. Made alot of friends, teachers/​instructors were interesting. We always had mass on Friday mornings.
It was very expensive for my parents at the time. However, they sacrificed only the best things. I love them very much !.
One of my classmates is a New York time best selling author, another one a film maker, and others Investment bankers, CEO of a company and engineers/​doctors.

This is a small school (it actually looks like a big house from the outside), but its big enough for its 500 students. Its a private school with a very rigorous schedule. Students are given great one-​on-​one attention and get a great education here. It is pretty pricey — averages about 13 thousand a year. But the education children receive here and the safe environment are pretty well worth it!