History & Traditions

Our Founding

On September 9, 1946, Sacred Heart Academy opened its doors on Greene Street in New Haven, providing young women with a new opportunity to lead and make a difference. 

Founded by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (then known as the Missionary Zelatrices of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and established by Sr. M. Antonine Signorelli, the Academy set out to provide girls with a strong college-preparatory education in the Catholic tradition — a tradition that continues to this day. 

Although the girls who attended Sacred Heart that first year would find the current school campus (and uniforms!) unrecognizable, there is much that has held true throughout the past 75 years. As the School continues to grow and expand to meet the needs of our students, we remain grounded in the charism of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the spirit of faith, truth, and love.

 

historical picture of SHA academic building

Our Campus on the Mount

The first year the School welcomed 17 young girls who graduated in May of 1950. In the following years, the numbers increased quickly and room had to be provided for the increasing enrollment; therefore, Clelian Hall was built adjacent to the convent building. In the summer of 1957, Sister Antonine initiated and directed the monumental task of moving the Academy from Greene Street to Mount Sacred Heart, Hamden, a strikingly beautiful 127 acre campus. The first class to graduate from Mount Sacred Heart was the class of 1958.

 

historic photo of Sacred Heart Academy campus

Our Founding Principal

Sr. Antonine was born in Missouri in 1915, making her barely 31 years old when SHA opened its doors on Greene Street in New Haven in 1946. Though only a small percentage of Sacred Heart Academy alumnae today can say that they knew Sr. Antonine, there is no doubt that her influence has endured long beyond the years she spent as Principal. A 1976 article in The Catholic Transcript states:

“Armed with courage, genius, and grace, Sr. Antonine was able to convince bishops, mayors, and others that her work—God’s work—was not only important but necessary to the spiritual and intellectual formation of thousands of young women.”

We continue in the footsteps of our founding principal, Sr. Antonine Signorelli who believed strongly in the importance of educating girls in the Catholic tradition. Sr. Antonine spent 21 years as Principal before her death from cancer at the age of 51. While it is easy to wonder “what might have been” had Sr. Antonine lived, it is clear that SHA was already on track for continuing to develop its reputation as a premier Catholic all–girls high school. Our motto “Excelsior” was already entrenched.

Today, Sacred Heart Academy continues to strive Ever Higher, as we educate and empower girls to embrace the same spirit of service and leadership while focusing on:

  • Achieving Excellence in Catholic Education
  • Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders
  • Embracing Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion

More than 7,000 alumnae have graduated from Sacred Heart Academy since our founding in 1946 forever connected by the strong bonds of our SHA values and traditions. 

Enthronement of the Sacred Heart is a tradition that has taken place since the beginning of Sacred Heart Academy. The First Friday in October, the school community gathers at Mass to enthrone Jesus as the King and Center of our hearts and lives and make an Act of Consecration to His Sacred Heart, reaffirming our lifetime commitment of faith and love. A senior is elected each year by her classmates to crown the statue of the Sacred Heart at this Mass. 
May Crowning is an annual tradition as the School community gathers each May to crown an image of Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother and the Queen of Peace and to consecrate ourselves to God through her prayers. All students, faculty and staff participate in this paraliturgy which includes a prayerful Living Rosary with scriptural mediations and beautiful hymns. A senior is elected each year by her classmates to crown the Blessed Mother. 

The ALMA MATER

“The Strong Bonds formed at SHA shall ne’er in life be broken” —words of the Sacred Heart Academy Alma Mater, composed by Sr. Antonine in 1946. Since then, these words have reverberated through the years by thousand of young girls, now Excelsior Women.

ALMA MATER

Though paths lead far, and memory’s star is dimmed by words unspoken,
the strong bonds formed at SHA shall ne’er in life be broken.

With hearts aglow we pledge anew unswerving loyalty to you.
O Sacred Heart Academy, our Alma Mater, we love you.

Our voices gay shall echo long your praises in a joyous song
and SHA, deep graven on each heart, our love is yours until from life we part.
Our love is yours until from life we part.

With faith secure and courage sure we follow Christ the King.
Companions true who dare to do to Sacred Heart fair honor bring.

No shadowed night shall dim our sight ‘though high school days are passing.
Our faith in you shall lead us through with ideals that are lasting.

– Words by Sr. M. Antonine Signorelli, ASCJ -Founding Principal. Music by Prof. Marcosano.

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