Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes a Sacred Heart education so special?
Focusing exclusively on the gifts and talents of our young women, SHA faculty and staff are committed to providing a holistic education which addresses all dimensions of human growth: spirit, mind, and body. Supported by a framework of Catholic Franciscan values, we help students to integrate the twin developmental needs of personal challenge and balance in their lives. Through our college preparatory environment, 100% of our graduates go on to higher educational opportunities each year.
What percentage of SHA faculty and staff members have been in Catholic education within the Buffalo Diocese for five years of longer?
Approximately 30% of our faculty and staff have been involved in Catholic Education five or more years.
Do I have to be Catholic to attend SHA?
No. Sacred Heart Academy welcomes students from diverse faith backgrounds. All students, however, are required to take the regular religious studies course for each grade level. Out of respect for the Roman Catholic tradition at SHA, all students, regardless of their religious denomination are asked to attend religious services at SHA, however, they are not required to join in the prayer but simply to honor the tradition by their presence.
What does SHA expect of the students who attend school here?
Each student is expected to participate in the full experience of a Sacred Heart education. This includes:
- Fulfilling all academic requirements for graduation.
- Active participation in our Footprints Service program – all 4 years.
- Active participation in our Leadership Studies program – all 4 years.
- Attendance at school sponsored social events, such as Walkathon, Christmas Dance, concerts, musical, Spirit Week activities, as possible.
- Involvement, as possible, in the extracurricular life of the school (clubs or perhaps sports).
- Attendance at school assemblies, liturgies.
What kind of extracurricular activities are available through SHA?
SHA offers an abundance of extracurricular activities for
our students with student council, athletics, service clubs,
newspaper / yearbook, performing arts, and special activity
clubs being just a few. For a complete overview of all the
extracurricular activities available for our students please
go to our Student
Life, Student
Organizations , & Athletics
web pages.
Will I have a social life at an all girls’ school?
The young women who attend SHA have active social lives. SHA provides many opportunities throughout the year for SHA students to interact with young women and men from other area private Catholic schools and public schools at conferences (NCCJ, for example), competitions (Mock Trial), and special curricular experiences (Franciscan Honors program with St. Joe’s)and dances.
Are all students required to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses?
From the time a student is registered at SHA great care is taken to ensure that each student is properly placed in classes that suit her academic ability. Students with higher academic ability are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking honors, AP level college level courses offered at our school. If a student has difficulty in an academic area, we are prepared to help the student succeed.
What are the normal hours of the school day?
School begins with homeroom at 8:00 a.m. and classes begin at 8:16 a.m. most days. Dismissal is at 2:50 p.m.
How does bus transportation work at Sacred Heart?
Students who live within a 15 mile radius of SHA are provided transportation through the public school district of residence. Completed forms must be returned to district transportation office by April 1st each year. Forms are available in the main office beginning in mid-February.
Click here for a list of the Districts that Currently Provide Transportation to SHA
