Roundtable Q&A Discussion About Sacred Heart School of Halifax (2025)

The first thing that I would tell someone new about the school is that it's a very inviting atmosphere. I started at Sacred Heart when I was very little, five years old, senior primary, and I didn't know anybody. All the teachers were very inviting, and you got to know them very well. That became especially important in the high school years, when my friends and I would often have conversations with our teachers in our free time because we knew them so well. Because of that, I think it helped me become who I am now in university and in other aspects of my life.

My experience at Sacred Heart made me feel at home because the way I was able to interact with my teachers was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I went away for a year to school in Ontario, and when I came back, I knew I was where I wanted to continue my schooling. As you grow with them, teachers get to know you so well and are always giving great advice. I often see them around campus and have great conversations with them, and they’ll still give me advice about certain things. Sacred Heart did a great job in making students feel like they matter and that they belong, and that the teachers do care.

The Grade 12 year was a great way to end my Sacred Heart experience. That was the year that I felt the strongest connection with my teachers. I had a lot of responsibility in organizing various events as one of the house captains that year, and I had a lot of fun organizing Winter Carnival, Conje, and Oktoberfest events. My Grade 12 year was great.

For me, the school did a great job at balancing academics and fun events like Winter Carnival. From Grade 7, we did exams in the gym, and I got used to writing and having lots of work to do from a young age. That really prepared me and my peers for the workload of Grades 11 and 12 and for planning where we would go for university. There was a lot of support from teachers and principals and lots of extra help sessions. Many teachers were more than willing to stay after hours and make sure we were on the right track, even meeting on holidays. The school rewarded hard work with fun events.

The small class sizes at Sacred Heart were very beneficial, and I’m still friends with every single person in my graduating class. A few of them are at Dal with me now, and when everyone comes back during the summer, it’s amazing to see everybody again. That shows the impact Sacred Heart has had in maintaining such a tight-knit community. My friends and I still visit Sacred Heart from time to time to say hi to our old teachers and even to younger students or siblings. Sacred Heart really does a great job at making everyone feel welcome and part of a community.

Sacred Heart is really a place where everyone encourages and lifts each other up. The academics are rigorous, but there’s also so much support and a real focus on helping each student grow, both inside and outside of the classroom. Since there’s such a wide variety of clubs and sports, it’s something I really appreciate because there’s space to create your own opportunities as well. I started the school newspaper, and I found that the faculty was so open to the idea and helped guide me through the process, which really shows how our school truly encourages student initiative and leadership. Overall, I think it’s a place that values community, growth, and creativity, and it has made my time here both meaningful and rewarding.

What I’m most proud of is how much I’ve grown as a student and as a person. Sacred Heart has really helped me become who I am. I’ve learned to take initiative and grow as a leader. An example would be starting the newspaper—it was something that pushed me out of my comfort zone. The support I received from both the faculty and my peers was really great, and it showed me how open the school is to student-led projects and how much they value our voices. It’s something I’ll always look back on with pride, not just for what I created, but for what it taught me about leadership and community.

Sacred Heart has definitely prepared me for the future in so many ways. The advanced and AP classes, along with the overall academic rigour, have challenged me to manage my time and stay organized. I feel much more confident heading into university because I’ve already experienced a demanding workload and know how to handle it. One thing that made a big difference was how early we started building those skills. Exams, for example, begin in Grade 7, so by now I have strong study habits and test prep strategies that will carry into university. The school has given me both the academic foundation and personal discipline to step into the next chapter of my life.

One of the best parts of my experience has been how well Sacred Heart has prepared me, not just academically but personally. The combination of academics and meaningful opportunities has helped me feel ready for university and beyond. I’ve been at Sacred Heart my whole life, and I truly believe the school’s core values and faith-based foundation have shaped who I am today. They’ve instilled in me integrity and confidence. One experience that really stood out to me was the required university prep class we took in Grade 10. It opened my eyes to everything I needed to do to build a strong college application and made the future feel less overwhelming. Another example is how I took a pre-college course through Cornell this summer and did really well, which I think reflects how the rigour at Sacred Heart prepared me for a fast-paced environment.

There’s something really special about our school that builds a strong sense of spirit and community. We all get together and build on that shared pride, and it’s one of the things that makes Sacred Heart stand out.

Being at Sacred Heart for so long has really made it feel like home to me. Thinking about graduation and leaving the school will definitely be a big change and a moment of growth, but I also feel very prepared. Knowing that I can come back for alumni events is comforting. Being part of such a strong community has helped me realize what I want to look for in a university—either a faith-based environment or one with a close-knit community, because that’s something that’s been so special at Sacred Heart and something I’d like to carry forward.

The teachers at Sacred Heart School of Halifax genuinely care about the students. Their care extends beyond the years they teach a child, it lasts throughout the student’s time at the school and even after graduation. I have three sons who graduated between seven and eleven years ago, and because I still have a daughter at the school, I often see their former teachers. They still ask about my sons and show genuine interest in what they’re doing. I’ve built wonderful relationships with many teachers over the years. One of my boys is part of an annual relay race team organized by a Sacred Heart teacher, which includes both teachers and alumni. They travel together to Cape Breton, run together, eat together, and maintain a strong bond. Even though your time at the school is relatively short, you remain part of the community forever.

The academics are very strong, but the school also focuses on the whole child. Not every student will have the top marks, and that’s okay—there’s so much more to education than grades. The school helps students develop a wide range of skills, including public speaking, which starts early. In elementary school, before any assembly, students practice speaking at the right pace and volume, and they adjust the microphone themselves. Watching young children confidently step up and speak is wonderful. These are lifelong skills that prepare them for the future.

From an early age, students are taught the importance of volunteering. As part of their religion course, they volunteer in pairs at various community organizations, often in situations outside their comfort zones. It’s a valuable lesson that helps them become contributors to society. Beyond academics and service, there are countless opportunities to develop other skills—music, drama, athletics, and travel. Students participate in band, musicals, plays, and team or individual sports. High school students can take ski trips to Wentworth and travel to Europe every two years. Through the Sacred Heart global network, they can join exchange programs, hosting or visiting students from around the world. These experiences build confidence, independence, and cultural awareness.

The prom and graduation ceremonies are deeply personal and family-centred. The prom isn’t just a dance, it’s a family celebration. Receptions are hosted by the school or by families, with parents, grandparents, and friends attending. Families share dinner together, listen to speeches, and celebrate their children’s accomplishments. At graduation, each student is recognized individually by the principal, who speaks personally about them. It’s intimate, memorable, and a true reflection of how well the teachers and principal know the students. This year will be the first combined graduation for boys and girls, which I’m really looking forward to.

The school’s communication with families is excellent. It can be challenging to balance how often to send messages, but Sacred Heart is thoughtful and organized about it. Regular, concise emails come from both the high school and elementary principals, and parents know when to expect them. Additional details are provided through links for those who want to read more. As part of the Parents’ Guild executive, I worked closely with the administration—Miriam, Renée, and others—to ensure communication was consistent and sensitive to timing around different faiths and holidays. The coordination and care that go into this process are impressive.

Some people also wonder about the religious aspect. The school holds masses throughout the year, sometimes at local churches like the Basilica, but it’s important to know that everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be Roman Catholic or even Christian to feel included. The environment is very accepting and nurturing. While the school may not offer subjects like industrial arts or home economics, it provides after-school clubs and opportunities to learn those skills. Students, parents, or teachers can even start clubs to share their own talents.

The school helps students grow into kind and compassionate people. While academics are important, Sacred Heart places equal emphasis on confidence, critical thinking, and friendship. Smaller class sizes allow for personal attention and meaningful relationships. Students develop a strong sense of belonging, whether they start in Junior Primary or join later. They form friendships that often last a lifetime and maintain connections with teachers who care deeply about them. Volunteering, kindness, and community involvement are core values that students carry with them beyond graduation.

One of my most memorable moments was when my son, who had started in late elementary, received a math award during the year-end elementary ceremony. I didn’t expect it to be so emotional—parents were on stage with Kleenex in hand. When his name was announced, the whole room erupted in applause and cheering. It was moving to see that his success was celebrated as the school’s success. My mother turned to me and said, “Would you like a Kleenex?” That moment captured the spirit of Sacred Heart—genuine joy in each student’s achievements and a deep sense of shared pride.