Departments

The Campus Ministry Department at Duchesne, first and foremost, seeks to meet each student, wherever they are in their faith journey, and help them to know the loving Sacred Heart of Jesus. We hold fast to this desire that all students feel loved by all, including themselves, and know without a doubt that God loves them simply for who they are.

We strive to educate all students in the faith of the Catholic church. We take seriously the words of our foundress St. Madeleine Sophie Barat who said, “For the sake of one child, I would have founded the Society.” Thus, we see each student as a unique individual; we meet her wherever she is, and provide opportunities to start, maintain, or grow her own personal and active faith in God. We bring attention to how God may speak in the people and events of the everyday. And we humbly acknowledge that we are but small parts in the wondrous relationship that God has for each of us.

Finally, we aspire to make our students open-eyed, alert to the needs of others, generous in service, and courageous in pursuing justice. We instruct students in how to prayerfully discern, follow their conscience, and stand for what in which they believe. We help students grow in self-confidence and deal realistically with gifts and limitations… modeling that we need not grieve what talents God withheld, but rather recognize, rejoice, and use those that were given for good.

Students can find up-to-date campus ministry offerings by subscribing to the shared “Campus Ministry Calendar” with their school email account on outlook.

As a school in the Network of the Sacred Heart we share in the mission of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, the foundress of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, as well as the five Sacred Heart Goals. The retreats at Duchesne are structured to align with these fundamental goals and identity.

In addition to the class retreats, students will also have the opportunity to participate in additional optional retreats. These retreats are determined by the level of interest. 

Goal 1 calls us—students and teachers alike—to have a personal and active faith in God. At Duchesne, we provide a multitude of opportunities that invite and enhance all students on their spiritual journey, whatever that may be. As a Sacred Heart school, Masses and class retreats serve as the Catholic foundation for Campus Ministry and allow our entire community to pray together as one. Students are encouraged to participate as liturgical ministers including Eucharistic minister, lectors, musicians, singers, servers and ushers/greeters.

In all that we do, we strive to create avenues for young women to both develop their faith and put it into action.

Service is an integral component of a Sacred Heart education. The purpose of the service program is to teach students to become aware of and sensitive to justice issues. The goals of the Sacred Heart schools include the commitment to educate to a social awareness that impels to action. The aim of our service component is to give students the ongoing opportunity to feel empowered to affect the world around them and to model the teachings of Christ in their broader communities. The types of service that are appropriate for this requirement are those that benefit the poor, the sick, and the marginalized.

Students are encouraged to serve those outside of their normal circles. We seek to establish in our students a genuine respect and authentic compassion for all people and the environment in which we live. Each year Duchesne students are required to volunteer in our community, serving the church, school and the marginalized in Omaha. 

The required hours are as follows:

• Freshmen 10 hours
• Sophomores 15 hours
• Juniors 20 hours
• Seniors 25 hours

 To explore additional volunteer opportunities in the Omaha metro area, please visit Creighton Center for Service and Justice.

Service is an integral component of Sacred Heart education and is actively promoted through Goal 3 “a social awareness that impels to action.” Service trips are an excellent way to integrate service and education while allowing students to gain real-world and travel experience. Duchesne offers a variety of school-sponsored service trips throughout the academic year and summer. Assistance for the costs associated with service trips is available through the Sr. Shirley Miller Travel Scholarship.

Sr. Shirley Miller Travel Scholarship:

The Sr. Shirley Miller Travel Scholarship is made available every January to assist students who want to participate in the many travel programs offered at Duchesne. Awards are given in early February and available for use on any school trip during the student’s years at Duchesne.

If you have questions about this travel scholarship contact Laura Hickman, Principal, at lhickman@duchesneacademy.org

*There may be an academic requirement if a student will miss classes

Duchesne is firmly committed to the growth and development of its students. The counselor to student ratio at Duchesne averages 1:100, less than half the suggested ratio of the American School Counselor Association.

Acknowledging that adolescence is a period of substantial growth in all areas, Duchesne offers students access to a counselor in each of the guidance domains. 

Additionally, your daughter will have a faculty advisor who will help her plan her course of study and provide encouragement throughout her four years at Duchesne. Duchesne students can also rely on upper-class students for encouragement through our Nests and Peer Facilitating programs. The Nests program ensures each freshman and transfer student has group, consisting of members from each class, on whom she can rely to help her find her classes and feel at home on campus.

Students at Duchesne Academy are encouraged to become independent learners who are self-aware and able to express their academic needs. Most academic support is provided through classroom differentiation and personal attention from faculty. Students make appointments to see their teachers during free periods, break, lunch, before school, and after school. When additional support is necessary, the Academic Counselor will assist in determining a course of action.

The Academic Counselor:

• Assists students in identifying their learning strengths
• Coordinates NHS Peer Tutoring program
• Helps students interpret standardized test results
• Offers strategies for academic success
• Supports students with learning needs
• Teaches study skills in Freshman Seminar
• Works with students individually and in groups

For more information contact:

Molly Atherton
Academic Counselor
matherton@duchesneacademy.org
402.810.9942

The College Counseling Program at Duchesne is rooted in Goal V of the Sacred Heart Goals– Personal Growth in an Atmosphere of Wise Freedom. It is of the utmost importance that students lead their college search, making decisions about where they go and taking ownership of their admission and scholarship applications.

The department’s ultimate goal is to find a school for every student that will set her up for success. There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States! Keep in mind that means there are probably several schools that will be a good match. The Duchesne philosophy is to encourage students to have lots of options on the table and discern a school that is a good fit academically, financially and personally.

The college counselor visits with students during freshman and sophomore class meetings to discuss standardized testing and answer questions about planning but the formal college counseling begins in Junior year and continues into Senior year. During these classes, they discuss every aspect of the college application process including scholarships and financial aid. Students will use the SCOIR platform to manage college and scholarship searches and keep track of their applications. 

Here are some helpful things you can do as a parent:

• Be aware of the critical calendar and remind your daughter of pending deadlines.
• Encourage your daughter to communicate with me regularly and to visit with the college representatives when they come to Duchesne.
• Remind your daughter that she will be successful no matter which college she attends.

Please Click Here to Learn More about college counseling

Sincerely,

Frances Swanson
College Counselor
fswanson@duchesneacademy.org
402.810.9958

Duchesne’s Personal Counselor provides short-term counseling in individual and small-group settings, makes referrals to appropriate school and community resources, and collaborates with families, teachers, administrators, and other school staff for student achievement and success. The Personal Counselor also

• teaches Health classes to sophomores
• trains peer-facilitators and oversees the program with freshmen
• moderates SADD club (Students Against Destructive Decisions)
• monitors wellness trends among teenage girls and identifies necessary interventions for the Duchesne students
• maintains relationships with support services in the Omaha metro area to help families connect with needed services
• acts as liaison with Catholic Charities therapists offering on-site services to Duchesne students

 

For more information contact:

 

Krissy Walsh
Guidance Counselor
kwalsh@duchesneacademy.org
402.810.9942

Duchesne Academy actively listens to the needs of our students who have expressed the need for student wellness. The phrase “wellness” has taken on a cultural significance in the past few years. Many adults agree that in today's fast-paced lifestyle, it is easy to place our own emotional, physical, and spiritual needs on the back burner. The young women in our school are no different. They too feel the pull of academic demands, tight schedules and deadlines, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and the ever-present pull of technology. We take our young women’s health seriously, and we want them to as well. To that end, several initiatives have begun at Duchesne. Some ways we are teaching our students to care for themselves include:

• An extensive Wellness Curriculum (see document)
• A culture that recognizes the need for sleep and balance in our daily lives (new bell schedule)
• A school-wide focus on communication standards to help defray conflict and learn resolution skills (see document)
• Maintaining a strong and loving school community that focuses on the needs of individuals

This message was sent to families on August 2, 2023:

Dear Duchesne Families:

Catholic Charities of Omaha, in partnership with the Archdiocese of Omaha Catholic School Office, is excited to announce the continuation of the School Mental Health Program. This program seeks to assist schools by providing mental health services to metro and rural schools, either on-site or by telehealth.

Duchesne will continue to offer on-site mental health services through Catholic Charities Outpatient Services.

In order to begin services:

1. Please contact the guidance counseling office at Duchesne to determine if your child is eligible for the program. Mrs. Krissy Walsh can be reached at KWalsh@duchesneacademy.org or at 402-810-9953.

2. Once eligibility for the program has been determined, contact Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Services at 531-213-7396 or ccbhs@ccomaha.org.

3. Ask for outpatient services with Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart.

4. Outpatient intake paperwork will be sent to your email via a secure portal. Paper copies of the intake paperwork is also available at Duchesne’s counseling office.

5. Once all paperwork has been completed and insurance has been verified, you will be notified of coverage for mental health services.

6. A therapist will reach out to schedule the initial intake session.

*Please note if cost of mental health services is a financial hardship for your family, assistance may be available on a case by case basis.

The identified time-period for service provision is August 11, 2023 through May 17, 2024. Those direct services may include individual therapy and family therapy. Education about mental health topics will be made available to school personnel. Crisis response and support will be provided as needed and requested.

At Catholic Charities, we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and mercy, and providing mental health services enables us to be instruments of hope for those suffering or in crisis. We are excited to continue our partnership with Duchense Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Humbly in His Service,

 

In an attempt to serve the college-bound student, the English Department has designed four regular courses, two accelerated Honors English courses and an AP class. The development of a graduating senior with a deep respect for intellectual values - an educated young woman who can demonstrate competence in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking - forms the focus of all English course activities. 

The expected class progression is:

Grade 9: freshman literature

Grade 10: sophomore literature

Grade 11: American literature or American literature honors

Grade 12: senior literature or AP literature

Duchesne offers an inspiring array of fine arts offerings to ignite the passion and talent in every student. From visual arts, music, and dance to theater, our program nurtures artistic growth and self-expression. Through expert guidance from our dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, students delve into a world of imagination, exploration, and artistic excellence. Join us on this transformative journey, where we believe that the arts are not just an extracurricular, but an essential part of a well-rounded education.

The History/Social Studies Department at Duchesne Academy offers a diverse range of courses to foster a global perspective and critical thinking in students. From exploring cultures and modern history to delving into European history and U.S. politics, the department aims to promote appreciation for diversity, prepare students for college-level studies, and encourage engagement with real-world issues. Students can expect to gain a well-rounded understanding of the world and its complexities through these engaging and challenging courses.

The Instructional Technology Department at Duchesne Academy offers a comprehensive range of courses that aim to equip students with essential skills in computer science and design thinking. From introductory programming and robotics to advanced design projects, the department encourages creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application. Students can expect to develop technological proficiency and explore STEAM-related careers through hands-on projects and rigorous coursework.

• Digital Citizenship 
• Cybersecurity 
• Programming in Python 
• AP Computer Science Principles 
• AP Computer Science A 
• Robotics/Advanced Robotics 
• STEAM Academy 1 & 2/Advanced STEAM Academy 

Two consecutive years of one language are required at Duchesne.  French and Spanish are the two languages offered. During ninth grade, students choose which language they would like to pursue.  Students may opt to take four years of either language at Duchesne.  In-depth study of one or more languages brings the rewards of mastering a language and culture different from one’s own.

It is the concern of the Mathematics Department that our students:

1. Know and understand mathematical processes, facts, and principles;
2. Understand the logical structure of mathematics and the nature of proof;
3. Perform computations with understanding, accuracy, and efficiency;
4. Have the ability to solve verbal problems;
5. Develop attitudes and appreciation which stem from, and which lead to, greater curiosity, initiative, confidence, and interests;
6. Develop proper methods of studying mathematics and communicating mathematically;
7. Develop study habits essential for independent and group work;
8. And develop the ability to use and apply technology in appropriate ways.

To facilitate reaching these goals, each student is required to satisfactorily complete four years of mathematics including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and PreCollege Algebra or Precalculus (or where appropriate, a more advanced sequence of courses). When courses are ability grouped, the members of the Mathematics Department will place each student in the appropriate course dependent upon their assessment of her performance in the entrance or standardized examinations, and/or prior performance in mathematics courses.

Patterns of excessive absences and participation in the exchange program will be considered in making honors placements. All placements will be made with due consideration for the needs of the student.

Calculator Requirements:

The TI-84 Plus graphing calculator is required.

The physical education requirement at Duchesne may be fulfilled by completing four semesters of general physical education/health classes. Physical education is required during all four years at Duchesne with each course being a semester long. The physical education/health program emphasizes healthy lifetime sports and also provides an aerobic dimension to its content. 

• All Freshmen are required to take Freshman PE/Dance.  
• All Sophomores are required to take Sophomore Health.  They may also choose between Foundations for PE, Intro to Strength and Conditioning, or Athlete in Season Strength and Conditioning. 
• All Juniors and Seniors may choose between Intro to Strength and Conditioning, Intermediate Strength and Conditioning, Advanced Strength and Conditioning, Athlete in Season Strength and Conditioning, Foundations of PE, Lifetime Activities, or Team Games. 

The science graduation requirement is 4 credits of Science or I.T. All students are required to take Biology, Chemistry and Physics; individual waivers will be considered in consultation with the principal, department chair, and college counselor.

Offered courses include:

• Biology and Biology Honors
• Chemistry and Chemistry Honors
• Advanced Placement Chemistry
• Physics and Physics Honors
• Advanced Placement Physics/ D.E.
• Topics in Environmental and Earth Science
• Biomedical Physiology Honors

The Theology Department at Duchesne Academy provides diverse courses to deepen students' faith, spirituality, and social consciousness. From sacred scriptures and Catholic teachings to inter-religious dialogue and service, the department cultivates a sense of community, intellectual growth, and social awareness. Students can expect a strong theological foundation in line with Sacred Heart education.