Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (Nebraska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart |
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| Address | |
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3601 Burt Street
, , 68131-1945
United States
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| Coordinates | 41°16′0″N 95°58′1.5″W / 41.26667°N 95.967083°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, all-girls |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1881 |
| Principal | Laura Hickman |
| Head of school | Meg Brudney |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 326 (as of 2023) |
| Color(s) | Red, white and black |
| Team name | Cardinals |
| Tuition | $15,925 |
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart is a private high school for girls in Omaha, Nebraska. It helps students get ready for college. The school is run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic group.
Duchesne Academy used to have a college section from 1908 to 1968. Now, it is home to the high school and a preschool for both boys and girls. Even though it is a Catholic school, it is independent.
The school focuses on special values from the Sacred Heart tradition. In 2020, Duchesne won a Green Ribbon from the US Department of Education. This award recognized their efforts to be eco-friendly. They also received a Blue Ribbon Award for excellent academics.
Contents
History of Duchesne Academy
Duchesne Academy started in Omaha in 1881. It is named after St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. She was one of the first women to join the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Rose Philippine came to the United States from France in the early 1800s. She opened the first Sacred Heart school in St. Charles, Missouri.
Duchesne is one of 24 schools in the Sacred Heart Network in the United States. The school usually has about 85 students in each grade. This makes a total of around 340 students.
Duchesne has a very strong mock trial team. In 2015, they won the national championship. This big competition was held in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Sacred Heart Values
Duchesne Academy is part of a worldwide group of schools. These schools are run by the Society of the Sacred Heart. Duchesne is a Catholic school for girls in Omaha, Nebraska. It offers a special education based on five important values:
- A strong and active belief in God.
- A deep respect for learning and knowledge.
- Caring about society and wanting to help others.
- Building a kind and welcoming community.
- Growing as a person with freedom and wisdom.
These values come from St. Madeleine Sophie Barat. She was the founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart. The schools aim to show God's love to the world through these values.
School Traditions
Duchesne Academy has many old and special traditions. These traditions come from its French history. They are a big part of the experience for students and their families.
Congé: A Surprise Holiday
Congé (pronounced "con-jay") means "holiday" in French. It is a surprise day announced once a year. When Congé is announced, classes are canceled. Students then spend the day doing fun activities and games. This helps them build a stronger community.
Goûter: Surprise Snack Time
This French word means "to taste." At Duchesne, it means "surprise snack." It's a fun treat for students.
Mater Ceremony: Honoring Mentors
In October, Duchesne celebrates the feast of Mater Admirabilis. This is a prayer service where sophomore students honor a woman over 21. This woman shows qualities like Mary. Each student and her mentor come forward. The sophomore receives a Mater medal from her chosen mentor.
May Crowning: A Tribute to Mary
This prayer service happens in early May. It is a way to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. Students chosen from each class give reflections. A senior student places a wreath of flowers on Mary's statue.
Prize Day: Celebrating Achievements
Prize Day is a tradition that started over 200 years ago. It is held on the last morning of the school year in the chapel. After a school-wide Mass, students receive awards and honors for their school work. Every student gets a certificate for completing the year. They also receive a wreath of flowers from the Head of School. At the end, students return their crowns to the altar. This is a way to thank God for their gifts.
Ring Ceremony: A Symbol of Connection
In the spring, senior students give Sacred Heart rings to the junior students. During this ceremony, each junior is called forward. Seniors give them their rings. After receiving their rings, the juniors turn their rings to face outward. This shows that they will soon leave Duchesne. It also means they will spread the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the world.
Academics at Duchesne
Duchesne helps young women take an active part in their own learning. The school is fully approved by North Central Accreditation and AdvancED. It is also approved by the state of Nebraska. Almost all graduates from Duchesne go on to four-year colleges and universities.
Students study core subjects in depth. The school's program prepares them for college. From the start, students learn to research, write, test, and analyze. Writing and critical thinking are very important in every class.
Teachers at Duchesne are dedicated and helpful. They are always ready to assist students. Classrooms have a small student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1. This means students get a lot of personal attention.
Sustainability Efforts
Duchesne Academy was recognized in 2020 as a US Department of Education Green Ribbon School. The school's efforts to be eco-friendly began in 2016-2017. This was after Pope Francis released his letter "Laudato Si’" about the environment.
At Duchesne, being sustainable is more than just a school subject. It's a promise from the whole community. They work to improve the school and the world. As a Sacred Heart school, they believe in caring for God's creation. They also work to use Earth's resources wisely and help with climate change.
Special Recognition for Green Efforts
- Received the Energy Star Certification from 2017 to 2023.
- Awarded Green Star by Ignatian Solidarity Network in 2017.
- First school in Omaha to start a composting program.
- Received the Eco-Friendly Schools Award.
- Won the Keep Nebraska Beautiful Award in 2022.
- Won the G7 Eco-Citizens Contest in 2019.
- First school in Omaha to install solar panels.
Athletics and Sports
Duchesne Academy competes in the Class B division of the Nebraska School Activities Association. Their sports teams are called the "Cardinals." Duchesne has 11 Class B sports and 6 unique club sports.
Teams and Clubs
- Archery
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Dance
- eSports
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Trapshooting
- Volleyball
Fine Arts Programs
Students at Duchesne Academy must earn two Fine Arts credits to graduate. This helps them explore their creative talents.
Unique Offerings in Arts
- AP Studio (Advanced Placement Art)
- World Drumming
- Strings ensemble
- Theater
