Academy of the Sacred Heart

Academy of the Sacred Heart The Academy is an independent, single gender, Catholic school for girls (1- year old through Grade 12) that offers an innovative and challenging curriculum. St.

The Academy of the Sacred Heart admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin. The Academy of the Sacred Heart, founded in 1821 in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, is an independent, Catholic school for girls in Pre-Kindergarten-3 through grade twelve, with residential accommodations for students in grades seven through twelve. It is operated independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette. History

The Academy was established in 1821 and is the second oldest institution of learning west of the Mississippi. It is the oldest, continually running member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the world. It is also the oldest independent school in the Acadiana region. Founded under the direction of Saint Philippine Duchesne, the Academy has remained in continuous operation through fire, epidemics, and war. Although thousands of Federal troops were encamped in the fields surrounding the Academy during the Civil War, the school was not touched. Union General Nathaniel Banks had a daughter in a school in New York run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart, and he was asked to look after the Grand Coteau sisters and their students. On campus is a small chapel honoring St. John Berchmans, a Jesuit. John Berchmans appeared to a novice, Mary Wilson and cured her of a fatal illness. This miracle eventually led to the canonization of John Berchmans. It is the only shrine at the exact location of a confirmed miracle in the United States. Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy
The Academy of the Sacred Heart admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the organization. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other organization-administered programs.

Welcome home to Grand Coteau!Today, our entire Sacred Heart community gathered for Mass to joyfully welcome Sr. Melanie ...
09/04/2026

Welcome home to Grand Coteau!

Today, our entire Sacred Heart community gathered for Mass to joyfully welcome Sr. Melanie Guste, RSCJ, and Sr. Georgeann Parizek, RSCJ, back home to Grand Coteau.

Since our very beginning in 1821, the Religious of the Sacred Heart have been at the heart of who we are. For more than two centuries, their faith, wisdom, courage, and love have shaped generations of Sacred Heart students, and their presence among us remains a tangible connection to the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and the mission she entrusted to us.

What a gift it is to have Sr. Guste and Sr. Parizek once again walking our halls, sharing in the life of our school, and reminding us through their presence of the rich legacy we are privileged to carry forward.

And, of course, we celebrated their homecoming in true Sacred Heart fashion—with Mass, community, and a special goûter!

Sr. Guste and Sr. Parizek, we are so honored and blessed to have you on our campus and in our lives. Welcome home!

Our ASH Cheerleaders and Dance Team had some extra-special teammates on the sidelines at last week’s Berchmans football ...
09/03/2026

Our ASH Cheerleaders and Dance Team had some extra-special teammates on the sidelines at last week’s Berchmans football scrimmage—our Mini Cheerleaders!

Cheering, dancing, laughing, and sharing traditions with our youngest Saints is what Sacred Heart sisterhood is all about.

GO Saints!



Rainy days call for muddy puddles! Our littlest Saints in Les Enfants know that a little rain just means a whole lot mor...
09/01/2026

Rainy days call for muddy puddles!

Our littlest Saints in Les Enfants know that a little rain just means a whole lot more fun. Boots on, puddles found— might be their best day ever!

Introducing DJ!Who was your favorite horse when you rode at the Academy?
09/01/2026

Introducing DJ!

Who was your favorite horse when you rode at the Academy?



08/28/2026

We started our Friday morning together as a community for all school Mass. Thank you to our Upper School choir for leading us in song!

Each Thursday, our Upper School girls gather in Chapel for a moment of reflection centered on the Sacred Heart Goals and...
08/27/2026

Each Thursday, our Upper School girls gather in Chapel for a moment of reflection centered on the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. Led by our seniors, these weekly reflections invite students to consider not only what our Goals mean, but how we are each called to live them more fully.

Today, the girls reflected on Goal IV: the building of community as a Christian value. ASH Student Council President Bella Kimball shared her own experience of community at Sacred Heart and encouraged her ASH sisters to be intentional about reaching beyond their familiar circles—to connect with one another, build meaningful relationships, and never be embarrassed to simply get to know someone new.

Community doesn’t happen by accident. It is built in the small moments when we choose to reach out, welcome others, listen, and make room for one another. What a beautiful challenge for our girls as they begin this school year together.



Mathematicians at work.... and play!Our second graders are building their math skills through games, hands-on activities...
08/25/2026

Mathematicians at work.... and play!

Our second graders are building their math skills through games, hands-on activities, and manipulatives that allow them to see, touch, explore, and understand mathematical concepts in meaningful ways.

When our students are counting, sorting, building, moving, strategizing, and playing, they aren't just having fun—they're developing number sense, strengthening problem-solving skills, and learning to think like mathematicians.

Way to go, girls!



Our Saints Cheerleaders had the best time at Cheer Camp on Saturday, sharing school spirit with the next generation of S...
08/25/2026

Our Saints Cheerleaders had the best time at Cheer Camp on Saturday, sharing school spirit with the next generation of Saints! These younger cheerleaders learned cheers, chants, dances—and, most importantly, just how much fun it is to cheer on our fellow athletes.

Way to go, Saints!

And keep an eye out for these younger Saints this Friday night as they take the field between scrimmages at the Berchmans Jamboree! Join us at 6:00 p.m. at Clark Field to see them on the field.



Middle school can be a time of big changes, new challenges, and lots of growing. What better way to experience it than s...
08/19/2026

Middle school can be a time of big changes, new challenges, and lots of growing. What better way to experience it than surrounded by your ASH sisters?

Our freshly minted Prep students—our 5th grade girls—are jumping right in! From new classes and new responsibilities to laughter in the hallways and friendships that make every day better, they are already embracing all that this next chapter has to offer.

There’s something special about growing up at Sacred Heart—and even more special about doing it together.



Address

1821 Academy Road
Grand Coteau, LA
70541

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