WHO WE ARE

Duchesne offers a unique education focusing on academic excellence, commitment to Jesus Christ, personal growth, and social responsibility. This education reflects those values given priority by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart:  integrity and love.

Today, the Society of the Sacred Heart has schools, colleges, and other educational and apostolic works in forty-three countries, as well as twenty-two in the United States. To clarify and strengthen their common purposes, the North American schools have formulated objectives. The 2005 revised Goals and Criteria express the philosophy and direction of this network of schools.

At the time of an institutional self-evaluation, undertaken every five years, the school reaffirms its educational philosophy.

Duchesne emphasizes studies that nurture the desire for truth. The school recognizes the contemporary world as a field for learning experiences and incorporates this dimension in the educational thrust. Critical thinking and reasoning, imagination and creativity are essential tools for this process of learning.

Importance is placed on skills necessary for living in our present and future world, on friendships that are life-long, on significant memories, and on an underlying faith that permeates all. Reflection on personal choices leads to a growing awareness of one's relationship to self and to God and concern for others.

Duchesne strives to give each person a sense of dignity and self-worth which liberates her to become a morally responsible human being who can confront issues intelligently and work to bring about necessary and constructive change in world and human conditions.

Like other Schools of the Sacred Heart, Duchesne Academy is characterized by an atmosphere of faith and mutual trust and a Christ-like concern for each person. Duchesne's purpose is to give the students the values of Jesus Christ, whose Heart is a symbol of God's love. The school fosters devotion to Mary, the Mother of Christ, and commitment to and service within the Church and the wider community. Duchesne is a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence