Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (Texas)

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Address
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
10202 Memorial Drive Houston , Harris County , Texas 77024 United States
Coordinates	29°46′40″N 95°29′08″W / 29.77778°N 95.48556°W / 29.77778; -95.48556Coordinates: 29°46′40″N 95°29′08″W / 29.77778°N 95.48556°W / 29.77778; -95.48556
Information
Type	Private, Girls
Motto	"Wise hearts, sharp minds."
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Patron saint(s)	Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
Established	1960
Founder	St. Rose Philippine Duchesne
Sister school	Regis School
CEEB code	443363
Head of school	Patricia Swenson
Faculty	164
Grades	PK 3–12
Gender	Girls
Enrollment	671 (2015)
Average class size	14
Student to teacher ratio	8:1
Campus type	Suburban
Houses	Grenoble, Amiens, Joigny, Poitiers
Color(s)	Navy and Light blue
Song	"Coeur de Jesus"
Athletics	15 Sports
Mascot	Cha Cha the Charger
Team name	Chargers
Rival	St. Agnes
Accreditation	Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS)
Head of Upper School	Donald Cramp Ph.D
Head of Middle School	Amy Witten
Head of Lower School	Ginger Montalbano
Academic Dean (Upper School Underclassmen)	Ginny Crosthwait
Academic Dean (Upper School Upperclassmen)	Alaina Scorsone
Dean of Students (Upper School)	Alye Inman
Website	www.duchesne.org

Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (/djuːˈʃɛn/ dew-SHEN)^[1] is a combined primary and secondary independent girls' school located at 10202 Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas. A member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, it offers a college preparatory curriculum for girls.^[2]

Duchesne, which enrolls girls from pre-K3 to the 12th grade, is part of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest.

Duchesne is in the Memorial area and is east of the city of Hunters Creek Village.

History[]

Commencement of the class of 2008

Duchesne was established in September 1960 as a part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, with 58 high-school pupils. The school is named after Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, the first member of the Society of the Sacred Heart to come to America. The school is part of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools.

The campus was built around a large oak tree, in the center of its campus. It became a symbol for the school because the name "Duchesne" is French for "of the oak". The oak tree also represents a notable tradition at Duchesne, graduation. As each senior is called up to receive her diploma, she passes under the oak tree.

On September 17, 2014, the original oak tree fell during a thunderstorm; however, it was over fifty years old and had been weakened after surviving a severe drought. On February 17, 2015, a new oak tree was transported by crane to a location near where the old oak tree previously stood and is currently still standing.^[3] The new oak tree allows the graduation tradition to continue for many years to come.

Another fixture of the campus is a two-story white house that stood on the property when it was purchased for the school. It faces the oak tree and houses the RSCJ who live on campus. Some of the school's classes were originally conducted here.

Student life[]

The school is divided into three divisions: the Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. The school has an annual tradition known as Congé - a day where classes are canceled and the Senior class organizes games and activities for the entire school to participate in.^{[citation needed]}

Academics and culture[]

In 1974, Texas Monthly stated that students from Duchesne and nearby Saint Agnes Academy originated from "mostly business and professional people with money".^[4]

In 2017, Niche ranked Duchesne among the Best Private High Schools in the Houston metro area.^[5]

Upper School Curriculum[]

Upper school students must complete four years of Mathematics, English, History, Science, Religion, as well as three years of Foreign Language to graduate. As a part of the student's religious studies, freshman and sophomores must complete two service projects each semester, while juniors and seniors do off campus service every Wednesday during school hours. Additionally, Upper School students must have of one fine arts credit and computer credit by the time they graduate. Each student receives a half credit for each fine arts and computer course taken, each year, as well as a half credit for Duchesne's 1:1 laptop program.^[6]

Athletics[]

Duchesne offers 11 sports for students to participate in throughout the academic year. In the fall, Duchesne offers field hockey, cross country, and volleyball as sports. Soccer, basketball, and swimming are played in the winter season. In the spring, students play tennis, track and field, softball, and lacrosse. Golf is offered year-round, and Swimming occurs during the end of the fall season, all of the winter season, and part of the spring season. Duchesne is affiliated with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).^{[citation needed]}

Notable Organizations[]

Robotics[]

Iron Plaid 3103 is the school's all-girl high school robotics team associated with FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). Founded in 2009, the team has won numerous awards, including the Rookie All-Star award and a Finalist award in 2009, the Engineering Inspiration award, Industrial Design award and Industrial Safety award in 2014, the Engineering Inspiration award in 2015 and in 2017. The team has attended championships a total of 4 times.^{[citation needed]}

See also[]

• Schools of the Sacred Heart - A list of schools that affiliate with the same network as Duchesne Academy
• The Regis School of the Sacred Heart – Brother school (Pre-K – 8th Grade)
• St. Thomas High School – Brother school (High School)
• St. Agnes Academy (Texas) - Private all-girls school (High School)
• Incarnate Word Academy (Houston) - Private all-girls school (High School)
• Christianity in Houston

Notes[]

External links[]

• Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart – Official website