School Contact Information
Rachel Suarez, Principal
1248 Nelson Avenue
Bronx, NY 10452
718-293-4288
718-293-4886
rsuarez@shhighbridge.org
Development & Marketing Director
agrant@shhighbridge.org
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School History
Sacred Heart School grew out of the intense passion, sacrifice, and enthusiasm of Sacred Heart Parish. When Sacred Heart Pastor, Father John Lennon, announced his vision of education founded on Christian ideals, the entire community got involved. Perhaps the greatest contribution was in staffing from the Sisters of Mercy and the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
The French-Gothic school building, designed to blend in with the other newly constructed buildings in the area, was completed in 1926. The school opened in September of that year with 250 boys and 300 girls.
As the population of the Highbridge area increased, the school enrollment reflected this growth. In 1934, one story was added to the school building. In 1943, the plan to construct an additional building now known as St. Joseph's Annex to Sacred Heart School was announced. In the 1940's, the school facilities were stretched to the limit with enrollment over 800 students. May of 1951 saw both the diamond jubilee of Sacred Heart Church as well as the dedication of St. Joseph's Annex. By this time, the school's enrollment had reached almost 2,300 students!
The mid-1960's brought tremendous changes for both American society and Sacred Heart School. Sacred Heart's two buildings, previously divided by gender, were separated into primary and middle divisions. The time also saw the transition from a faculty and staff entirely comprised of religious to an entire lay community.
In the 1970's and 1980's, the Highbridge area, much like many other neighborhoods in the Bronx, experienced a period of social upheaval. The neighborhood was filled with drugs, arson, and violence; it was part of the poorest Congressional district in the United States. The stabilizing influence of Sacred Heart School coupled with recent community revitalization efforts is presently helping to invigorate the neighborhood.
Over the years, Sacred Heart School has opened its facilities to the wider Highbridge community. In the 1970's, it accommodated an evening adult education program and made its gymnasium available to its neighbors. The opening of Sacred Heart School facilities to its Highbridge community continues today. Siena House, in the old convent, provides services for burdened young expecting women and mothers. The Highbridge Community Life Center, which serves our students as well as others, also shares our space.
The current families of children enrolled in Sacred Heart School shoulder tremendous financial responsibilities unknown to former generations. However, they share in the common vision of achieved education and economic success for their children.
Today Sacred Heart School serves 700 students and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Its consistent mission is to "educate the whole child" by providing social, academic, and creative experiences which lend to such development.
Sacred Heart's mission is to work with staff, faculty and administration to excel at the task of "educating the whole child." We strive to provide each and every student with the social, academic, and creative experiences, which lend to holistic development.
We are confident that our work at Sacred Heart School will continue to be blessed, and we pray that the generous enthusiasm of its community will continue to sustain it. From halls to horizons, the promise we see in our students each graduating year gives us tremendous hope for the future of our world. |
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