Sacred Heart School of Halifax

Welcome to a school unlike any other in Canada. For over 170 years, we have been providing a deeply meaningful education to our students — one rooted in our founder St. Madeleine Sophie Barat's vision that education transforms society. We are different for many reasons. We offer co-ed education in our Elementary School and single-gender education in our Senior School — the only school east of Montreal to do so. We are a Catholic school, and one that welcomes all faiths. We are proudly independent, with CAIS accreditation that provides a guarantee of excellence in education, leadership, management, and governance. And, we are small enough to retain our familial feel yet large enough to support a robust roster of course offerings, activities, and experiences.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and part of a network of schools around the world, Sacred Heart students develop global perspectives and opportunities that extend far beyond our iconic front door. As with all network schools, we educate to a strong moral code prescribed by our Five Goals.

These Goals are our moral compass. Together with a purposeful pedagogy, a supportive faculty that encourages intellectual risks, and robust co-curricular and extra-curricular programs, our students cultivate their individual strengths, learn how to serve their community, develop the confidence to push beyond limitations, and sow seeds that lead to wisdom and transformation.

With a child-centered focus on play, discovery, and love, Sacred Heart’s Junior Primary program for four-year-olds is renowned for preparing little ones for Primary and beyond. Here, play is encouraged, yet purposeful, where structured learning is enriching, exciting, and fun. Our classes are small and our early childhood educators are intentional in their balance between child- and teacher-directed learning. With specialists in French, Music, and Physical Education, we very carefully nurture the best in your child, while laying the foundation for intellectual, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual growth.

An integral part of the Sacred Heart community, JP’s enjoy the use of our theatre, lunch room, library, two gyms, and a state-of-the-art playground. They also delight in weekly gatherings with our Grade 4 Reading Buddies, regular visits from our Senior School volunteers, and participation in the internationally recognized Roots of Empathy program. Snacks are provided. A hot lunch program and seamless transition into our After School Program are both available at an additional cost.

In our Elementary School, we teach the whole child, encouraging healthy development in language, cognition, and physical, social, emotional, artistic, and spiritual growth, because we know children need and deserve balance in their lives.

Our co-ed Elementary School is a thriving and nurturing environment, where every child is known, where love and joy are abundant, and teachers work in partnership with parents. We intentionally make the best use of instructional time through blocks of reading, writing, and math every day. And at the same time, we value and support learning across many disciplines. Our students engage in physical education, music, science, religion, social studies, art, and healthy living. We also teach them civility - kindness and gratitude are part of our daily life.

We provide age-appropriate French instruction to serve our students’ developmental needs. Love of language is introduced in Junior Primary and Primary. The bilingual program of Grades 1 and 2, with half-day English and half-day French, provides a solid foundation of oral fluency and confidence. Building on this, our daily academic core French class in Grades 3 through 6 sets our students on the path to achieving their French fluency diploma in High School.

We set aside time for play because we know that much learning happens during that unstructured time. It’s crucial for healthy social-emotional development, now more than ever in this digital world. We offer a myriad of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, including Battle of the Books, intramural sports, choir, Beginner Band, performing arts, karate, yoga, Running Club, and Mandarin Chinese.

We have a 7:1 student teacher ratio and are blessed with a vibrant and healthy mix of young and long-serving faculty. Our team of skilled, caring, and deeply-committed educators - which includes our Principal, Learning Strategist and Dean of Students - work collaboratively to ensure that students’ academic and social-emotional needs are addressed.

The Senior School maintains a 7:1 student teacher ratio, where we rely heavily on our experienced and dedicated faculty to guide our students. Our tailored programs allow students to define their path based on their aptitude and interest. As part of our advanced stream, we offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses where students can challenge themselves to earn first-year university credit to kick-start their post-secondary career. They can also choose educational travel, unique online courses, and experiential learning with local specialists to augment their learning experience. Students also receive guidance and one-on-one counselling in career planning, the university application process, scholarship applications, and resumé writing, giving them all the tools they need to have a successful post-secondary academic experience.

Senior School is not, however, just about academics. As part of our whole-child philosophy guided by our Five Goals, we ensure our students are engaged in social justice and charitable activities that make our community and our world better. We also provide and encourage extensive student leadership opportunities through Student Council, Associations and Clubs, and our unique House System where students compete for the annual House Cup. Exchange programs around the globe, class travel, an extensive club and extra-curricular program, robust fine and performing arts programs, a stellar Debate Program, and both recreational and competitive athletics round out Senior School life.