Application Process

Duchesne Academy’s policy for admission is based on the assumption that the student meets the school’s criteria for admission, parents and students accept the philosophy of education at Duchesne and have read and support the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools.

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Grade 9 Applicants

1. Register for the Entrance and Scholarship Exam
   Applicants for the freshman class should register to take the PreACT 8/9 at Duchesne Academy. The exam is on Saturday, January 11, 2025. If class space allows, students who move to Omaha after the testing date or who have taken an exam elsewhere may set up an individual testing time with the Admissions Director. Students with an IEP may request accommodations on the entrance exam. All IEP paperwork must accompany a request no later than December 15. Extended time and semi-private testing will be considered.
   
   Register for the 8th Grade Exam
2. Submit Required Forms:
   All application forms are to be filled out and submitted via the online portal.  The application can be accessed via: https://dashomaha.org/applynow
3. Received Admission Status:
   Qualified applicants who take the Entrance and Scholarship Exam will receive notification of their status in the admissions procedure by mid-February. Those receiving scholarships will be notified at that time
4. Submit Registration Fee to Confirm Enrollment
   Applicants for the freshman class should confirm enrollment by sending the $350 registration fee by Monday, February 25, 2025. Registration after that date will be accepted as space permits. 

Note for current 8th graders:

Starting in January 2025, Duchesne, along with all of the metro area Catholic high schools, will shift to PreACT 8/9 as our entrance exam test. All incoming 8^th graders, as well as younger students taking the practice test, will be asked to take this test. The ACT suite of tests provides the same information and a similar testing experience for students. It is the same length and will be taken as a paper test. Students who took the practice test as 7^th graders took the STS HSPT (Stanford Testing Services High School Placement Test). The kinds of questions and the testing experience on the HSPT provide an important preparation for the PreACT as well. 

Because Duchesne uses the preACT again in freshman and sophomore (ACT 10)  years, as well as the ACT in the spring of junior year,  this test will align with the standardized testing in high school and offer the school, families, and students a clear progression of student’s growth in mastering college-readiness topics. The deciding factor in the switch from the HSPT to the PreACT is to best serve our students and monitor the growth and progression toward college readiness.

This fall, Duchesne will offer test preparation classes for those who would like to have more familiarity with the PreACT prior to taking it as the entrance exam in January.  Registration information will be sent out once the dates and details have been finalized.  

If you have questions or concerns about the new test, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Principal, Dr.Laura Hickman: LHickman@DuchesneAcademy.org

Transfer Student Applicants

1. Submit Required Information
   A student transferring into the 10^th or 11^th grade should have her current school forward an official transcript of grades and standardized test results. Recommendations, a placement test, and an interview may also be required.
2. Receive Admission and Pay Registration Fee
   A transfer student will receive confirmation of her acceptance after the information and materials requested by Duchesne have been received and evaluated. Registration for classes will be arranged individually after a $350 registration fee has been received.

Diversity Statement

Duchesne Academy strives to uphold the vision of the founder of the Sacred Heart order, St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, by building a school community that

• Fosters inter-religious acceptance and dialogue by educating to an understanding of and deep respect for the religions of the world” (Goal 1, criteria 6)
• In our multi-cultural world, prepares and inspires students to be active, informed, and responsible citizens locally, nationally and globally.” (Goal 3, criteria 4)
• Promotes a safe and welcoming environment in which each person is valued, cared for and respected.” (Goal 5, criteria 2)
• Makes a deliberate effort to recruit students and employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.” (Goal 5, criteria 5)
• Maintains a “financial aid program that effectively supports socioeconomic diversity.” (Goal 5, criteria 6)

To live our Sacred Heart heritage, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart welcomes students and staff of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, and faith, and admits all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Duchesne does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin and faith in the administration of our educational policies, admissions, policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.