May 24, 2007
Dear Parents, Friends and Alumni of Schools of the Sacred Heart:
The end of the school year is an exciting time, and I want to take this opportunity to share some wonderful news about Convent & Stuart Hall. This is the time when our seniors and eighth graders hear about college and high school admissions. It is also the time when we complete the recruiting and admission of new kindergarten and freshman classes. There is a lot of wonderful news to share in both areas.
On the college front, our 95 seniors were offered almost 500 spots by over 200 colleges. This represents an average acceptance rate of almost five colleges per student. Among those accepting our 45 Stuart Hall High School seniors were: Boston College, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Penn, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and Vanderbilt. Acceptances for the 50 seniors at Convent of the Sacred Heart include: Boston College, Brown University, Columbia College, Harvard, Penn, Tufts, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Vassar. Most important, every student is college-bound and the vast majority to one of their top choices.
As their journey continues, our matriculating seniors are exceptionally well prepared for this next step in their academic and personal growth. Alumni of both high schools who are currently in college tell us that the education they received and values they learned at Convent & Stuart Hall not only provide them with a solid foundation but also helps make their college experience more fun. Their success demonstrates our excellent reputation. Thorough academic preparation, moral character and personal maturity are hallmarks of a Sacred Heart education.
On the high school front, our eighth graders have also had an outstanding year with most headed to their high school of choice. Many will be freshmen at Convent and Stuart Hall, while others are enrolling at fine schools around the Bay Area and at boarding schools. We continue to hear from those schools that our students are among the best prepared for a strong high school program.
Our incoming admissions remain strong as well. Both our elementary schools again saw increases in applications and are fully enrolled. Our high schools are among the most sought-after in the Bay Area. Stuart Hall High School saw a 15% increase in applications, on top of last year’s 50% gain. Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, likewise, experienced a double-digit increase in applications. Both high schools have enrolled full freshman classes from a record number of elementary schools, and neither high school was able to take a single applicant from lengthy wait lists.
Several successive years of gains are driven by our strong programs and values, reputation and engaged communities. This is a joyful period for our schools. Our program, which emphasizes Academics for Life, Values for Living, has never been stronger or more broadly recognized both by applicants and the schools to which our students apply. I want to extend thanks to the faculty, staff and administration, without whom these consistently outstanding results would not be possible. Every day and in every way, they provide our students with an environment, standards and leadership that is unrivaled.
We especially thank our parents and alums for their on-going support and for sharing their enthusiasm with friends and colleagues. We know you are our best ambassadors.
Sincerely,
Pamela J. Hayes
Director of Schools
