Sacred Heart School

I was a student a Sacred Heart and am now in college. Having attended this school for 8 years, if I were to do it over, I would not choose this school. By sending your child to this school, 90% of you will send your kids to St. Thomas Aquinas or Winnacunnet. Rarely, if ever, will a student end up attending Phillips Exeter. Grades 6-8, do not prepare for high-school at all. At this school, I was not taught how to take notes well, effectively study, or problem solve. The junior-high classroom environment was all lecturing and note taking and homework was almost entirely reading comprehension based. Many teachers did not have backgrounds in what they were teaching and were not able to fully engage all of their students. In junior-high students were immediately placed in LM(quicker paced classes) and ML(Slower paced classes) based on 5th grade placement test scores. Students placed in the ML classes rarely, if ever, moved up to LM classes and, as a whole, did not nearly do as well as students in the LM classes. Almost all kids in the LM classes are attending decent to below average colleges, while kids in the ML classes mostly go to academically poor colleges or do not attend college.

This school has significant administrative issues and over the past 4 years have replaced 50% of the teaching staff. Many of the teachers who put forward the extra effort have been let go. The cost of tuition has increased significantly (highest cost in a 30 mile radius) and the number of students has significantly decreased. Many families have left the school to go to PCA or other Catholic schools in Newburyport or Portsmouth. Many of the extra school programs have been removed and the kids will be lacking social skills. Be sure to check the other schools in the area before selecting SHS.
—Submitted by a parent

What an amazing school. My child will be unfortunately graduating this year from SHS and we will all miss the wonderful school, teachers and administrators. Excellent education, amazing extracurricular offerings and an energetic upbeat staff. Along with a fantastic education my child scored in the 97th -98th percentile in national testing, had more than enough activities and sporting events to be involved in, the school is clean, wonderful playground and if that isn't enough, even the lunch food is first rate. The Principal is often seen outside tossing a ball with the kids after school and personally greets parents and knows us all by name. A top-notch private school in every way.
—Submitted by a parent

I am both an public school educator and a parent and I can't be more pleased with this school. The staff do an excellent job of preparing students for further academic success as well as being successful young adults. The school itself offers a tremendous array of extra curricular activities, from drama to track and field and of course baseball, softball, basketball and cross country. Students are encouraged to do their best and all of the staff are truly the kindest people you will ever have the pleasure to meet. I am so thankful for this wonderful gem of an option to public education for my children.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have gone to Sacred Heart. My youngest is still there, the older one is in high school. I cannot say enough good things about the school & the teachers. They have high standards and do not dumb down the curriculum so that kids score well. They expect success and most children achieve it. The teaching staff is caring and they do a great job teaching and also work hard to instill Christian values that are lacking in public schools. People in town tell me they can always spot a SHS student by their good manners and respect. Students are well prepared for high school. They consistently score better than students from public schools. If you want the best for your child in the NH seacoast area-this is the best value for the price.
—Submitted by a parent

Sacred Heart School is a wonderful school. The teachers and staff are kind, compassionate, and caring. I have 2 children at SHS and feel the education along with the Christian teaching they get every day is worth every penny I pay to send them there. I feel children today need a tough education that will challenge them as well as teach them moral values.
—Submitted by a parent

Sacred Heart School offers an excellent education to its students. Students emerge fully prepared for high school.My child was able to go right into honors classes at a competitive private high school after graduating from SHS. The teachers here are very dedicated to helping these students succeed. The school not only provides a rigorous education, but also seeks to instill moral values in our children.
—Submitted by a parent

I went to this school for a year (I'm now in college) because my parents were worried about the quality of the public middle school in my town. I ended up going back to the public school because SHS was lacking in nearly every way possible. In the winter, some of the teachers would regularly encourage us to wear our jackets during class because the classrooms were freezing. The curriculum was average at best and music/art classes were nearly non-existent (unless having art class in a hallway alcove counts). The teachers meant well, but they weren't really given a lot to work with and from what I've heard, things haven't changed much at SHS since then.

Worst private school I have ever sent my kids to. Thank goodness my oldest is leaving this year and my other child has only about 2 years to go! This school has no options, but I have to send my kids private because I want the best, but there is no other private school options in my area! I wish I could send my kids public with no worries!
—Submitted by a parent

I have three children at SHS, this is our second year at the school. My children are thriving, the staff is a dedicated group, always willing to go the extra mile for their students. SHS nurtures the childs mind, body and spirit. The academic curriculum is engaging, utilizing colorful textbooks and workbooks for the children to learn from. The children are taught to be respectful of adults and one another. Our new principal is an experienced educator, willing to work with parents and not afraid to make changes to benefit the education of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

The quality of academics at SHS has severely diminished over the past 4 years. Enrollment has been dropping and tuition has increased. Most teachers are complacent and unwilling to spend extra time with a student after the bell rings. I pulled my child out of this school after four years of frustration with staff and the principal. My child was behind at the new school and has been has extra tutoring for almost a year to get up to grade level.
—Submitted by a parent

My child is entering her third year at Sacred Heart and is thriving academically and spiritually. The staff is loving, supportive, and disciplined in old fashioned reading, writing and arithmetic. Parents are very involved and are encouraged to be by the staff. People tell me that they can always spot a Sacred Heart child around town because of their manners and respect. Need I say more.
—Submitted by a parent