Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Omaha
Encyclopedia
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, located at 3601 Burt Street in the Midtown area of Omaha
, Nebraska
is an independent, Catholic
, college-preparatory
high school for girls run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart
. The institution previously included a college which was operated from 1908-1968, today Duchesne is home to the high school and a co-ed preschool. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
.
in 1881 and is named in honor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
, 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 19th century and established the first Sacred Heart school in St. Charles, Missouri. Duchesne is one of 24 schools in the Sacred Heart Network in the United States
.
Duchesne prides itself on academic excellence, commitment to Jesus Christ, personal growth, and social responsibility. Duchesne centers its philosophy around five Sacred Heart Goals: a personal and active faith in God, a deep respect for intellectual values, a social awareness which impels to action, the building of community as a Christian value, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. These are values emphasized by Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
Duchesne is also known as the most academically enriching college preparatory high school for girls in Omaha. It has small classes around 75 in each class (for a total of 300 in the whole school)due to the selectivity of this school.
. Additionally, at the end of the year, Prize Day and Honors Day recognize students for academic excellence and leadership, extracurricular activities, athletic accomplishments, and other non-academic awards, respectively.
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
is an independent, Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, college-preparatory
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...
high school for girls run by the Religious of the Sacred Heart
Society of the Sacred Heart
The Society of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic religious congregation established in France by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in 1800. It has presence in 45 countries. Membership to the Society is restricted to women only. Its members do many works, but focus on education, particularly girls'...
. The institution previously included a college which was operated from 1908-1968, today Duchesne is home to the high school and a co-ed preschool. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the midwestern region of the United States. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss...
.
History
Duchesne Academy was established in OmahaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
in 1881 and is named in honor of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Rose Philippine Duchesne
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, R.S.C.J., was a Catholic Religious Sister and French-American saint. She spent the last half of her life teaching and serving the people of the Midwestern United States....
, one of the first women to join the Society of the Sacred Heart. St. Rose Philippine came to the United States from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the early 19th century and established the first Sacred Heart school in St. Charles, Missouri. Duchesne is one of 24 schools in the Sacred Heart Network in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Duchesne prides itself on academic excellence, commitment to Jesus Christ, personal growth, and social responsibility. Duchesne centers its philosophy around five Sacred Heart Goals: a personal and active faith in God, a deep respect for intellectual values, a social awareness which impels to action, the building of community as a Christian value, and personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. These are values emphasized by Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart.
Duchesne is also known as the most academically enriching college preparatory high school for girls in Omaha. It has small classes around 75 in each class (for a total of 300 in the whole school)due to the selectivity of this school.
Traditions
As the Sacred Heart Network is grounded in history and ceremony, Duchesne celebrates numerous traditions that are common to all Sacred Heart schools. Each grade has its particular celebration. Freshmen hold a Teacher Recognition Ceremony, while sophomores celebrate Mater, where they recognize women who are models of the Virgin Mary in their lives. During Ring Ceremony, the senior class bestows class rings upon the juniors as a symbolic transfer of school leadership. Of course, in May the seniors graduate at a beautiful ceremony at Saint Cecilia's CathedralSt. Cecilia Cathedral
St. Cecilia Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Located at 701 North 40th Street in the Gold Coast Historic District, the Cathedral was ranked as one of the ten largest in the United States when it was completed in 1959...
. Additionally, at the end of the year, Prize Day and Honors Day recognize students for academic excellence and leadership, extracurricular activities, athletic accomplishments, and other non-academic awards, respectively.
External links
- SOFIE.org: Network of Sacred Heart Schools website
- Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart website
- Duchesne Preschool website