Student Reflections and Testimonials (pdf) - Schools of the Sacred ...

HE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON
THAT IHAVELEARNED. . .
T. . . at CSH is to
follow your dreams.
Sitting shyly in the
chapel the first day
of freshman year, I
did not think I
would ever be a
member of any
sports teams or an
active participant
in clubs, and I certainly
did not see myself on student
council. I was not the best athlete or the
most experienced leader, and I envied
the people who were. I wanted to be
active in my school community, but I
did not know how I could be.
Just as coaches at CSH encourage
athletes to take risks and try new
things, teachers and faculty members
push students to discover talents they
never knew they had. I had never seen
myself as a leader, but I admired those
who were so I took a chance and ran for
freshman class president. Much to my
surprise, I won, and I decided that I
would work to
become student
body president.
Thanks to support
from my teachers,
faculty and peers I
have discovered
parts of myself I didn’t
know existed. I
have gained leadership
skills and most
frequently, self-confidence.
The love and support found in
the CSH community is unparalleled.
Whether you dream of being an accomplished
dancer, a well know politician, a
high school teacher, or an Olympic
swimmer, the faculty and administration
at Convent of the Sacred Heart will
encourage you to reach your goals.
While students may enter high school
afraid and unsure of themselves, they
will leave with the courage to follow
their dreams.
- Amanda

NMAKING THE DECISION
TO ATTEND CSH. . .
I. . . In making the decision to attend CSH
I was apprehensive to join a community so
different than the one I was comfortable with.
This anxiety disappeared immediately upon
discovering the support of the faculty & student
body. Each student is respected as an individual
and encouraged to pursue whatever interests
them. There are no barriers between classes or
social circles. There is an ongoing opportunity for
each student to find their niche academically in
the extensive curriculum choices and in the wide range of extra curricular
activities that cater to all interests. I found my place on the school publication,
The Broadview. I was given the chance to openly express
my opinions and take on the responsibility few underclassmen
get to experience.
-Amanda
CSH surrounds you with service opportunities and gives
you the freedom to take advantage of them. Almost every
weekend there are multiple community service events
taking place that have been publicized throughout our
school. One day a year our whole school ventures into
our community and performs service at different locations.
I am involved in a non-profit organization called Simple Gifts at CSH.
Simple Gifts raises money for smaller non-profit organizations that help
children in the Bay Area. This group is significant because it is student run
and student conceived. It is fitting that we give back to a community that has
already and continues to give so much to all of us. -Megan

HE FIRST TIME I VISITED, I KNEW
CSH WAS THE PLACE FOR ME.
TThe atmosphere is warm and welcoming
and gladly received me at once. I
instantly became a part of the community
but simultaneously discovered
what interested me and set me apart
from the others.
My love for athletics
continued
to flourish at
CSH when I
joined the volleyball
and basketball
teams. It
is on the CSH
teams that
Sacred Heart
values are even further developed.
Being a member of a CSH team has
instilled in me the importance of
teamwork, dedication, and working
hard while being successful and having
fun. The friendships I have made
with teammates, coaches, and managers
are wonderful and continue after
sport seasons end. I will always
remember winning the Basketball
League Championships for the first
time ever in CSH history.
With the wide range of activities
and constant support of each individual’s
development, I have had the
opportunity to participate in many
other school activities. As a leader in
Campus Ministry, I work with
other students and teachers
to plan prayer services and
Masses. In the spring I participated
in the high school
musical as Assistant Director
controlling the lights. I was
fortunate to work with friendly
students and faculty and
discovered my love for theater.
I was also manager for
the Varsity soccer team, an opportunity
for me to be involved in the sports
program at CSH without playing on
the team.
The opportunities at CSH are
endless and each student is constantly
encouraged to participate in whatever
interests them. Without the helpfulness
of the CSH community, I never
would have discovered what I am truly
passionate about.
- Caroline

AS ASTUDENT AT CSH, I HAVE BEEN
FORTUNATE ENOUGH. . .
. . . to experience endless opportunity. Whether it be in the
classroom or on the soccer field, CSH has allowed me to
establish lifelong relationships with the friends I have
made. The unique part about this, is that friendship spans
way beyond the boundaries of grade levels. Additionally, the
intimate atmosphere that CSH provides is really beneficial
for personal growth. It has given me the confidence, specifically
through the strong language department, to develop my character and discover
my passion and talent in life. CSH has enabled me, through flexibility, to study
Mandarin, French, and Latin, all in the same day. I have adapted a very important
skill, which is to think globally and apply a world view in everything that I study.
For this reason, I love being a Convent girl. - Marcella
The minute I walked into the halls of
CSH, I received great support from all of
my teachers. Every teacher has always
been available to me
whenever I have needed
their help. The CSH faculty
is unique in that they
give individual attention
to each and every one of
their students. I will carry
all the wisdom they have
given me throughout my
life. I will forever be thankful to my
teachers who have mentored me into
the young woman I am today.
When I came to CSH I realized
how important community service is to
me. CSH is a very dedicated community
to service and I owe a lot of my commitment
to community service to the
great example that I have
seen. Last summer I participated
in a Network Service
project in Miami, FL, where
I worked with low-incomefamily
children at a summer
camp. CSH has provided
me with many service
opportunities to participate
in. I am grateful that through my experience
here at CSH I have learned not to
do community service because I have
to, but because I want to.
-Emely

CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART
HIGH SCHOOL. . .
. . . is a great learning
institution with an
outstanding reputation.
It has given me the
opportunity to grow
and develop as a
person and express
myself in leadership
skills in music, dance and art.
Being a member of the CSH Choir,
I was able to participate in two annual
concerts, which featured old time favorite
Christmas Carols and 70’s Disco music.
This past spring, Convent of the
Sacred Heart High School and Stuart
Hall High School, were able to exhibit
their musical and dance talents in our
first musical review, “Many Voices, Once
Soul” written and directed by English
Teacher, Karen Randall. The musical
review depicted the American lifestyle
and spirit. I truly enjoyed being a
member of the cast. It was a wonderful
experience.
For the 2001-2002 school year,
CSH focused on the theme
“Leadership”. As president
of S.I.S.T.A.A.S. (Students
In Step To African American
Studies) CSH has allowed us
to represent our culture with
a concert featuring Voices of
Spirit, an open forum discussion with
Women in Leadership, and attending
Stanford University, San Jose State
University and POCIS workshops.
The diversity of the city of San Francisco
is reflected in Convent of the Sacred
Heart High School.
At Convent of the Sacred Heart
High School I am surrounded by a
supportive and caring faculty. It is a
joy to be here and in time to come I hope
to give back to future Convent of the
Sacred Heart High School students
the support and opportunities that
were given to me.
-Andrea

OMING TO CSH IS MORE THAN
JUST GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL. . .
C. . . it’s coming home. To me, this school is
much more than a place to receive a fine
education. It is a place of opportunity, support,
guidance and family. Being involved in
this community is something that I look forward
to every day of my life.
Unlike most high school students,
coming to school one
hour early to attend an extra
class, and leaving from school
hours later than dismissal, is
something I enjoy doing. I am
involved in early morning Latin classes, and
after school, I am either in the art room with
my photography class, at a student council
meeting, or in CSH Notables. The Notables
are a group of singers from the high school
and elementary school.
Something that I truly admire about
this school is its desire to involve EVERYONE.
It is impossible for you to come to a class
and be ignored, or for a teacher to not know
your first and last name. With small classes
and a single-sex community, this school
reaches out to everyone. The faculty here is
just as involved in the school as the students
are. Every faculty member is more than just
an educator, but a mentor and
most of all, a friend. Student - faculty
relationships here at CSH are
what make this school incomparable.
Knowing that you are being
taught by someone who loves to
see young girls blossoming into
educated women, creates an atmosphere that
is comfortable and appreciative. This school
does more than just teach you algebra and
US history, it helps you find your voice, your
confidence, and your passion. With every
uneasy step I take going through my high
school years, this school is always right
behind me, catching me when I fall, and
applauding me when I succeed.
-Danielle
When I applied to CSH in eighth grade, I thought that I would never fit in. The girls
seemed so sophisticated and smart. I was wrong. Within these walls, I have found
best friends who smile when they see me and support me in everything that I do.
There are so many different definitions of being a leader. Everyone has
qualities that make him or her a leader. The administrators and students find
those qualities and help to improve them. Then they let the student shine.
Often times, I am afraid to pinch myself because if this is a dream, it is a wonderful one,
and I don’t want to wake up.
-Juliana

CSH & SHHS
P A R T N E R S H I P
CSH has a new partnership with Stuart Hall High School which opened
in September 2000. Students from CSH & SHHS participate together
in extra curricular programs, service projects and social activities.
This unique opportunity at Schools of the Sacred Heart allows a serious
focus on academics for young women and young men along with the
benefits of a co-educational experience.
Goals & Criteria
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to:
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;
Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
SCHOOLS OF THE
SACRED HEART
Convent of the Sacred Heart High School
Stuart Hall High School
Convent of the Sacred Heart Elementary School
Stuart Hall for Boys
2222 Broadway San Francisco, CA 94115
415/563-2900 www.sacred.sf.ca.us
For more information please contact the Admissions Office at 415/292-3125.